Reviews Featuring ‘SteamWorld Heist II’, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales – TouchArcade Leave a comment

Hey mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for August nineteenth, 2024. It’s the start of a brand new week, and we’re doing our ordinary Monday factor with a few critiques so that you can get pleasure from. I’ve received my ideas on SteamWorld Heist II and… one second, I must take a sip of water first… That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime Isekai Chronicles. After that, there’s a brand new launch to have a fast gander at, after which the lists of recent and expiring gross sales for the day. Let’s get to at this time’s enterprise!

Critiques & Mini-Views

SteamWorld Heist II ($29.99)

I’m in a bizarre zone with the SteamWorld collection, I believe. I initially missed the DSi Tower Protection recreation and once I went again to it I discovered it a bit too intense to get pleasure from. I liked SteamWorld Dig, and the unique SteamWorld Heist was proper up my alley. SteamWorld Dig 2 was an enormous step up from the primary recreation in some ways, however I one way or the other preferred it rather less. SteamWorld Quest was attention-grabbing, however didn’t fairly come collectively for me. And SteamWorld Construct was a good recreation, however the Change simply wasn’t as much as operating it the best way it wanted. I believe all of those video games are of excellent high quality, with lots of polish and loads of care put into the designs. However I’ll admit that the shine has come off of SteamWorld for me to an extent.

So right here we’re with SteamWorld Heist II, which is the second time the builders have revisited an idea throughout the collection. SteamWorld Dig 2 took a comparatively easy recreation and constructed one thing far greater from it, however SteamWorld Heist was already a lot large. And so as a substitute of reinventing the wheel, what Thunderful has finished right here is to provide us a brand new journey with barely refined mechanics and some new twists. The ocean exploration is the most important new function, and it’s superb. A pleasant break from the turn-based fight, if nothing else. You additionally get a really in-depth job system, which may be very satisfying to tinker with. With that mentioned, all of that is no revolution by any means. I don’t see a lot area for somebody to be blown away transferring from the primary recreation to the second as we noticed with Dig. Alternatively, which means those that loved what the primary recreation supplied can safely dive into this one.

One of many large variations with this recreation comes by way of its theme, which sees you crusing the excessive seas battling Dieselbots as a substitute of rocketing by area. A part of the enjoyable of the SteamWorld collection has been seeing how the setting will get fleshed out with every installment, and also you’ll actually get a few of that right here. The humor and writing is nearly as good as ever, giving these ‘bots loads of appeal whether or not they’re in your staff or an enemy you’re going to blast away and by no means see once more. Hats? Sure, you’ll be able to nonetheless shoot off hats and accumulate them. The side-view turn-based tactical RPG gameplay stays participating, with the will to seek out that excellent shot driving each flip.

SteamWorld Heist II isn’t as novel as the primary recreation, and it roughly retains to what labored earlier than. It may be just a little tough at occasions, and also you’ll at all times should be vigilant for gimmicks as a result of some battles are keen on them. The job system is a deal with for individuals who get pleasure from looking for damaged combos, and the overworld exploration breaks up the motion whereas serving to to higher set up the setting. If you happen to loved SteamWorld Heist and are prepared for extra of that gameplay, plus some extra of that pleasant SteamWorld lore, you’ll get what you’re in search of with this one.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5

That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime Isekai Chronicles ($49.99)

I actually am undecided what to do with this one. I’m considerably acquainted with That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime, at the very least in its manga kind. I dropped off after some time as a result of it was getting just a little boring for me, however I caught round lengthy sufficient to know the premise and a lot of the fundamental forged. So, acquainted however maybe not a fan. I don’t dislike it, thoughts you. I suppose the one factor I can say doubtless about this recreation is that it doesn’t run as properly on the Change as I’d like. There are some framerate shenanigans happening at occasions, and with how comparatively easy this recreation seems that actually shouldn’t be occurring.

Alright, let me lay out what you’ve received right here. This recreation retells the story of the collection from the beginning as much as the battle towards Falmuth, although it speeds by the early stuff. A few new game-specific tales have been added, and fortunately they’re from the hand of the unique creator. The gameplay is damaged into three types. There are visible novel-style scenes, typically with some animation combined in. Then, side-scrolling motion. You get some fundamental combos and dodge/counter mechanics right here. Nothing fancy, however it’s enjoyable sufficient. Lastly, a really fundamental metropolis builder. It’s a must to construct up the Jura Tempest Federation, in spite of everything. It offers you an excuse to grind for supplies, principally.

And that grind is the important thing. The gameplay mechanics are a bit too skinny to hold issues right here, and the battles get repetitive in a rush. However, you’ll have to interact in lots of them. There are sub-quests to finish that may add just a little additional spice, however you’ll fall right into a loop very early on that by no means adjustments a lot. The gas that retains you going is the story, however in case you’re acquainted with this property you’ll already know most of it. You by no means actually get the sense that you simply’re enjoying these tales, due to how restricted the gameplay is. If you happen to’re not a fan of the collection, that is one strategy to get caught as much as a sure level. I believe it is likely to be the worst strategy to digest this story for a first-timer, thoughts you. Nicely, this can be a widespread downside with this type of factor. I believe typically, followers will get pleasure from it. Possibly that’s adequate.

That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime Isekai Chronicles might be greatest loved by those that love the property, however even they’ll discover it a considerably meager meal. The 2 new tales are attention-grabbing, and for some time it’s enjoyable to see these characters in motion and construct up the Federation. Sadly, the gameplay itself by no means actually expands out the best way it must, so until you’re within the temper for a complete lot of repetition you would possibly end up losing interest quick.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3/5

Choose New Releases

Rack and Slay ($5.99)

A roguelite dungeon crawler? Boring! Wait a minute… wait a dog-gone minute! Is that hero a… billiard ball?! Nicely that’s a horse of a very completely different shade! So sure, this can be a recreation the place you’re launching your ball hero at ball enemies to knock them into ball pockets. There are many objects to seek out, and a shocking variety of modes to get pleasure from. A cute concept that works out pretty properly in observe.

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

That outbox may be very tiny. I like Tremendous Fortunate’s Story lots even now, although admittedly having an indie 3D platformer isn’t the novelty it as soon as was. As for the brand new gross sales, nothing within the record is admittedly chatting with me a lot. Not that there aren’t good video games in there. Gynoug is an efficient shooter, Superhot is admittedly enjoyable, and Door Kickers has its charms. However all of those are on sale usually, so it’s onerous to drum up a lot pleasure. Examine the lists, do what it’s essential to.

Choose New Gross sales

CounterAttack: Rebellion ($4.49 from $14.99 till 8/23)
Gunman Tales ($2.09 from $6.99 till 8/29)
Inside the Blade ($3.29 from $10.99 till 8/29)
Gynoug ($3.49 from $6.99 till 8/29)
Distant Life ($9.49 from $18.99 till 8/29)
Vera Blanc: Supernatural Mysteries ($5.59 from $7.99 till 8/29)
Cyber Citizen Shockman ($4.19 from $5.99 till 8/29)
Gematombe ($4.49 from $14.99 till 8/29)
One other Crab’s Treasure ($23.99 from $29.99 till 8/31)
Neodori Without end ($1.99 from $4.99 till 9/3)
Blade of Darkness ($2.75 from $14.99 till 9/3)
Door Kickers ($1.99 from $11.99 till 9/3)
What the Fork ($4.49 from $17.99 till 9/6)
Superhot ($9.99 from $24.99 till 9/7)
Useless in Vinland: True Viking ($2.79 from $27.99 till 9/7)
Tchia: Oleti Version ($23.44 from $34.99 till 9/8)
Dormitory Love ($24.49 from $34.99 till 9/8)
Dying Gentle: Definitive Version ($9.99 from $49.99 till 9/8)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, August twentieth

New Tremendous Fortunate’s Story ($7.49 from $29.99 till 8/20)
Highway to Valhalla ($3.99 from $7.99 till 8/20)

That’s all for at this time, mates. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra new video games, extra gross sales, maybe some critiques, and possibly even some information. I’ve to go to the physician once more and put together for a household occasion within the night, however we’ll get one thing collectively. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and as at all times, thanks for studying!