SwitchArcade Round-Up: Today’s Nintendo Direct, Full Review of ‘EGGCONSOLE Star Trader’, Plus New Releases and Sales

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update starts with some exciting news, followed by a review and a look at a new release. We'll wrap things up with the usual sales information. Let's dive in!

News

Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap

As predicted by some, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation covered partner showcases and Indie World highlights. While primarily focusing on third-party titles and indie games, it lacked any major first-party announcements and, as expected, nothing about the next-generation Switch console. A detailed summary of the key announcements will be available tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without Japanese language skills? Star Trader blends adventure and side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect shines. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, offering a unique take on narrative integration within a shooter. Players interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, crucial for navigating the challenging shooting stages.

The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky scrolling. The overall design feels unbalanced. The game's text-heavy adventure sections are a major hurdle for non-Japanese speakers, significantly impacting gameplay and enjoyment. While some brute-forcing is possible, a full experience is unattainable without understanding the language. Star Trader is historically interesting but ultimately hampered by its lack of translation.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into a developer's unconventional work, but its significant Japanese text barrier severely limits its appeal to a Western audience. While some might find minor enjoyment, a strong recommendation is difficult to justify.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat, banished from the afterlife for misbehavior. Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, meet quirky characters, and progress through boss fights, upgrading abilities along the way. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely consider giving it a try.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi are worth checking out. Also, don't miss the sale on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other notable sales include Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider remasters. Check the lists below for more details!

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of sales ending tomorrow)

That's it for today! Join us tomorrow for a recap of the Nintendo Direct, new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!