All right, kind readers, and welcome to the July 4th, 2023 edition of the SwitchArcade Recap. Isn’t this the United States of America’s birthday? If you’re on a day off today, I hope you have a wonderful time. The New Releases section of the summary seems to be American, as it is currently on holiday. Ghost Trick, Everybody 1-2-Switch!, Crime O’Clock, and NOOB: The Factionless Revolution all get reviewed here.There’s some recent events to consider, as well as the usual lists of incoming and outgoing orders. Let’s stretch our muscles and be adaptable!
News
‘Tetris 99’ Selects ‘Pikmin 4’ for the Upcoming Maximus Cup
Again, guys, we have arrived at that point. Another Maximus Cup event is being planned for Tetris 99, and as usual, it will have some sort of connection to a first-party Nintendo game. Fans of the Pikmin series, which releases new installments seldom, will be amazed to learn that Pikmin 4 is nearing completion and release. This weekend, Tetris 99 will celebrate by incorporating a chic Pikmin 4 theme. It’s the norm, so you should participate and score points by placing as highly as possible. You can preserve the look if you can find enough of them.
Reviews & & Mini-Views
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective ($29.99)
Either you’re familiar with Ghost Trick or you aren’t. If you already know that, you probably don’t need me to gush about how great this game is. If I may assume, you do. You need to learn how this new version is, and I’m pleased to say that it’s fantastic. Aside from a spruce up, an optionally arranged soundtrack, and some additional unlockable gallery photographs and stuff, there isn’t a whole lot new here, but there doesn’t need to be. It’s a fantastic video game overall, and the unique visual style translates beautifully on a larger screen. This is a great way to review this classic if you feel like it.
If you’ve never played it before but even have a passing interest in adventure games, you should definitely pick it up. Get it, and play it without consulting any reference materials. It’s the kind of game that, once finished, makes you want to start over with all of your newfound knowledge. In the manner of the Ace Attorney video games, Sissel’s search for a motive for his death is an exciting roller coaster ride populated by many memorable, zany individuals. The gameplay is really imaginative, as you use your supernatural abilities to alter the world in an effort to save the victims of crimes and accidents. Sissel can turn back the clock for a few minutes, giving you just enough time to make a difference. There is never any tension because you can swing at it as many times as you like.
This is the third time Capcom has officially released Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, and I can only pray that this is the time that it finally finds an audience. It’s just as good as what Shu Takumi is best known for, the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series.This is your chance to try it out if you’ve never had the chance before. It features a great tale, clever mechanics, interesting characters, heated debate, and fun challenges to solve.
SwitchArcade Score: 5/5
Everyone 1-2-Switch! ($29.99)
Once in a while, my family and I will play a parlour game, and they usually help me rate it when I need to answer the phone. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed a wide variety of them, but the Switch has proven to be an exceptionally fertile ground for them. I was hoping we’d all have a wonderful time playing Everyone 1-2-Switch!, and I think we did. I can’t say I blame them, but after only one night of playing, my family has already given up. Even with the discount, there isn’t a lot to chew on here.
There are just seventeen minigames to enjoy here, and even then, you may only have access to a subset of those depending on the tools you use and the paths you choose. The minigames are different, but after playing Squats 1, it’s hard to feel excited about playing Squats 2. You may need a mobile phone to play certain games, and almost all of them emphasise team play rather than individual competition. There are some clever minigames, but they aren’t enough.
Let me just advise that everybody do a 1-2-3 switch! to individuals who can reliably keep large groups of pals who aren’t opposed to video games entertained for hours on end. Even then, there are many of far superior parlour games available; Nintendo itself offers a few that are vast improvements. I never thought I’d say this, but not even a silly horse-headed man can wait.
SwitchArcade Score: 3/5
Criminal Offense O’Clock ($19.99)
Although there is a significant chasm between my expectations and the game’s actual content, I won’t hold that against it. First and foremost, this is a “area the important things” game in the vein of Where’s Wally. You and your AI partner will be tasked with exploring black and white maps full with interesting individuals and sights in order to solve cases of criminal activity. There is a big twist in that each map has ten states, each representing one minute. You need to track down suspects and evidence by using those numerous cover stories. Minigames are a common way to advance the story, although most of the time you’ll just be scanning the map for clues about where to look.
If you’re worried it’ll be difficult, you can relax. The 10 photographs in Criminal Activity O’Clock are so succinctly arranged that you won’t be able to decide when to flip through them. The AI will take care of that for you. Minigames are so simplistic that they don’t merit deviating from the main experience. It’s not always obvious what or who you’re supposed to look for, so if you get stuck, there are indications you can look into. Even if you figure out the game’s secrets early on, you still can’t expect to avoid participating in any of the events that unfold. You need just go along with the plot and the author’s ups and downs, figure out what is required of you, and proceed.
Criminal O’Clock has a solid framework, and the visuals are great fun to look at. There are 10 slightly different takes on each scene. Even the parts that don’t pertain to the case are interesting to see unfold. I still have the impression that the game guided me too closely for the most part. I felt like I was just watching my AI solve problems and refilling its water cup; I never felt like I was actually helping in any way. If you like games where you have to look for items in frantic environments, you will probably appreciate this one. Those who are only curious about the setup should be aware that it does not deliver in the way that one may expect.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/ 5
NOOB– The Factionless ($39.99)
I want to emphasise that the video game was the first time I had heard of the web series. I realise I am missing some background information, and I want to be very forthright about that. The Factionless is a turn-based role-playing game set in a made-up massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Games have used similar setups before, with some taking it relatively seriously and others using it as an opportunity for a never-ending stream of meta-humor. The former is NOOB’s preference, and I share it at the present time. My main gripe with this game is that it lacks any meaningful influences. Everything feels like it belongs: the tale, the world design, the gameplay mechanics, the music. Tolerable for a first attempt, but ultimately uninteresting.
If you appreciate the NOOB web series, you may find that the formula for NOOB—The Factionless shifts slightly. As a lifelong Marvel Comics and Spider-Man enthusiast, I can attest to the fact that the profile of a generic video game featuring the perfect licence can skyrocket among the target demographic. If you like NOOB and the people behind it, I have a recommendation for you. For everyone else, it’s just another run-of-the-mill role-playing game on a system that already has plenty of those.
A 3/5 on SwitchArcade.com
Sales
(Online Store for North America, US Dollar Prices)
It seems like not much because inbox today. New record low prices on 2 Point Campus and expansions, as well as discounts on several Pinball FX3 DLC packages from Zen. However, you should know that the brand-new Pinball FX software is coming to Switch rather soon, and that your tables will not be able to rollover. The closing of the most recent Inti Creates sale is the most exciting development over in the outbox. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stock up on Blaster Masters and Azure Striker Gunvolts.
Select New Games on Sale
Down from $19.99 to $7.99 (through 7/10) for Garden Story
Down from $9.99 to $3.99 (till 7/10): Pinball FX3’s Williams Pinball 6 DLC.
DLC for Pinball FX3 featuring Universal Classics reduces the price of the base game from $9.99 to $3.99 until July 10th.
Save $8 on The World Next Door (now $1.99) through July 10th.
Fuzzy Knights is currently on sale for $7.99 (down from $19.99) till July 10th, 2018.
Tilt, the Satanic Power ($9.99 down from $19.99 through 7/14)
Hexapoda $9.74 (7/17) down from $12.99
Until 7/18, “Decision Guilty” is discounted from $8.99 to $3.14.
Two Point University (now $20.99, down from $29.99 until 7/18)
Until 7/18, 2 Point Campus: School Spirits downloadable content is discounted to $4.01.
Price reduced from $9.99 to $7.99 (DLC) until 7/18/2016 2 Point Campus: Space Academy
The Wine from Horrifying Stories is Only $2.99 (Reg. $14.99) Until July 19!
Paradise, the Game ($12.99, down from $19.99, through 7/24)
The next and final day of sales is tomorrow, July 5th.
GameStop is offering a discount on Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 ($29.99 to $23.99) through July 5th.
Pack of Gunvolt Azure Strikers, normally $39.99, on sale for $19.99 till July 5th
Price drop: $4.99 (from $9.99) till 7/5 on Blaster Master Zero
Save $8.01 on Blaster Master Zero 2 through July 5!
Price drop: $7.49 (from $14.99) for Blaster Master Zero 3 till July 5!
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (now $4.99, down from $9.99 through 7/5)
($7.49, down from $14.99 as of 7/5 only) Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2
The Walking Dead: Bridge Builder $1.99 (7/5 only) down from $9.99
A Bridge Builder UE ($2.09 down from $14.99 until 7/5)
Complete Disgaea 5 for $19.99 (down from $39.99) till July 5
Defiance of Destiny, Disgaea 6 ($29.99, down from $59.99 till July 5).
Dropping from $19.99 to $9.99 till 7/5, Ekstase
Reduced from $24.99 to $19.99 till 7/5, Gal Guardians: Demon Purge
Gunvolt Chronicles: LA iX is on sale for $7.49 till July 5 (down from $14.99) and Gunvolt Chronicles: LA iX 2 is on sale for $14.99 (down from $24.99)
Home Builder ($8.24, down from $14.99) Hell Pie ($12.49, down from $24.99)
Reduced from $12.99 to $1.99 (through 7/5), Shovel Knight Dig is now $14.99 (down from $24.99)
Reduced from $14.99 to $2.09 through July 5th, The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters
Reduced from $14.99 to $2.09 till July 5th.
So long for now, loyal friends. Tomorrow, we’ll have even more brand-new products, even more sales, and maybe even some news or reviews. Tomorrow I have an appointment at the fancy medical centre, so how much I can accomplish depends depend on what time I come home. Have a great Tuesday, everyone, and thanks for stopping by!