Reviews Featuring ‘Natsu-Mon’ & ‘Cat Quest III’, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales – TouchArcade Leave a comment

Hiya light readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for August thirteenth, 2024. As we speak was an vital vacation of types in Japan, and I additionally needed to go to the hospital for the same old causes. Nonetheless, I nonetheless had time to deliver you two critiques, overlaying Cat Quest III and Natsu-Mon: twentieth Century Summer season Child, in addition to seems on the new releases of the day and the same old lists of latest and expiring gross sales. Chopping it very near the wire right here, thoughts you. Properly, let’s get to it earlier than my supper will get chilly!

Opinions & Mini-Views

Natsu-Mon: twentieth Century Summer season Child ($39.99)

Associates, it has been a actually very long time since I used to be a child. It will get longer yearly. It’s additionally been a really, very very long time since I obtained to have a month-long summer time trip the place I used to be free to do no matter. As of late are effectively prior to now, and they don’t seem to be coming again. Each every so often, Kaz Ayabe provides me an opportunity to relive these days in a digital method, and I all the time respect it. Whether or not it’s by the unique BokuNatsu sequence, the quirky Assault of the Friday Monsters, and even with the impish little Shin-chan, Ayabe’s video games have a method of evoking nostalgia for belongings you won’t have even skilled to start with.

Natsu-Mon: twentieth Century Summer season Child feels prefer it’s going all the best way again to BokuNatsu, presenting a extra easy tackle a toddler’s summer time trip within the countryside. I imply, as easy as being the kid of a touring circus proprietor might be. You arrive within the city of Yomogi initially of August and are informed by your dad and mom that you simply’ll be shifting alongside on the finish of the month. You’re free to do what you wish to fill these days, with loads of actions, missions, and occasions on provide. Certainly, there’s a lot to do right here that it’s exceedingly unlikely you’ll see all of it in your first playthrough.

There are two broad approaches individuals are inclined to take with the Summer season Trip video games, and I don’t suppose both of them are flawed. The primary is to simply play by the sport as soon as, seeing no matter you’ll be able to that occurs to catch your eye. That’s it. You progress on, and your expertise was your individual. The opposite kind is to play by time and again, looking for and do every little thing, squeezing the video games for every little thing they’ve to supply. In case you’re the previous, remember that this recreation doesn’t take too lengthy for a single playthrough. Modify your expectations accordingly, and make your name primarily based on the value. In case you’re the latter? You’ve obtained an terrible lot to see right here, and also you’ve obtained your work lower out for you if you wish to take all of it in.

The setting this time is 1999, and we’re actually effectively away from any autobiographical overtures from Ayabe. Nonetheless, the sport feels very genuine. I’ve been residing in Japan a fairly very long time now, and I’ve spent all of that point residing in a countryside city. I got here right here a number of years after 1999 after all, however there are plenty of acquainted components all the identical. One of many issues I believe Ayabe is nice at is taking a really honest sense of actuality after which tilting it to a toddler’s perspective, and that shines as brightly right here as in any of the earlier video games. The world may be very immersive in a method that’s totally different from what we normally consider when that phrase is introduced into play. You may lose your self right here very simply, and the place actually does begin to really feel like dwelling by the top.

Those that are in search of a ton of gameplay hours for his or her buck may discover Natsu-Mon a bit of lighter than they’re after. It’s actually the one warning I’ve to supply right here. In any other case, this is a wonderful instance of the type of recreation it’s making an attempt to be. If you wish to transport again to a childhood you by no means had, there’s no higher solution to do it this summer time. It actually grabs on to you and carries you alongside at its tempo, regardless of the entire recreation being structured round you doing issues at your individual velocity. I actually love this recreation, and I hope we maintain seeing extra of those sooner or later.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

Cat Quest III ($19.99)

Did you like Cat Quest and its sequel? You then’re going to have a good time with Cat Quest III. This recreation follows the “protected sequel” strategy, not messing round with what works whereas including in some new components and throwing you into an entire new world and foremost quest. As soon as once more, you’ll be able to get pleasure from it solo or pull in a buddy for some co-op motion, and if in case you have the means I actually advocate that second choice. The puns fly quick and furry-ous, the tempo is pleasingly zippy, and the map is enjoyable to discover whether or not by land or by sea.

Really, it’s the theme of this recreation that units it aside most from the final. That is extra of a swashbuckler’s story, and that’s really somewhat refreshing within the action-RPG style. You’ll nonetheless be delving into loads of dungeons after all, and by way of pure nuts and bolts not a lot has modified with the mechanics. You’ll get a pleasant mix of exploration, fight, puzzle-solving, and tinkering round with gear. The story isn’t doing something fancy, however the writing is actually charming and issues transfer alongside at a very good velocity. It takes about fifteen hours to wrap the sport, which I believe is greater than appropriate for a recreation of this kind.

Cat Quest III is a extremely good action-RPG, and one that you may simply play with a buddy or member of the family of any ability degree. Even going alone, you’ll have a implausible time with this goofy recreation. The ocean-faring theme does a wonderful job of freshening issues up, however at its core this recreation hasn’t modified terribly a lot from what we’ve seen from Cat Quest earlier than. Certainly, in most methods it seems like placing on a snug pair of footwear. At the very least at this level within the sequence, I believe that’s a very good factor.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

Choose New Releases

Hidden By Time 2: Discovery ($10.99)

I assume that is Hidden By Time 2-2? Unsure why they didn’t simply go for the quantity three right here, however no matter. It’s extra Hidden By Time! Search out the hidden objects within the varied scenes, or use the map editor to create your individual. You may then share your maps with different gamers, and benefit from the ones they made. Infinite enjoyable? Maybe. Maybe.

Beatbuddy: Story of the Guardians ($12.99)

It by no means hurts to line up a very good soundtrack to your recreation, and this one actually has that. It seems good, too. As for the gameplay, effectively… this recreation did the tour a couple of decade in the past on different platforms, and whereas its musical platforming mechanics aren’t dangerous, the sport is a bit duller than you may count on. However that’s simply my take, after all. You may get extra from it than I did. If nothing else, you’ll be able to really feel the developer’s ardour for it, and that counts for lots.

Guayota ($14.99)

This can be a puzzle-action recreation the place you’re exploring a dungeon for causes I’m positive are simply and vital. Seems to be like some laser beam and mirror puzzles, however not simply these. The principle gimmick here’s a dual-realm system the place dying locations you in one other model of the dungeon that’s extra cerebral in nature. I haven’t had an opportunity to strive it but, but it surely seems first rate.

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

Hey, some sizzling offers on Atari video games right this moment. Video games from corporations Atari owns as effectively, like Digital Eclipse and Evening Dive. You may’t go flawed with most of those, however Tempest 4000 at 4 bucks strikes me as a foolish whole lot specifically. The Turok Trilogy Bundle can be an distinctive provide for these about Turok. Loads of different offers in there, so examine that checklist. Not fairly a lot within the outbox, however give it a look too in your method out.

Choose New Gross sales

Tempest 4000 ($3.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Akka Arrh ($9.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
NeoSprint ($22.49 from $24.99 till 8/19)
Atari Flashback Classics ($17.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
Atari 50: Anniversary Celebration ($25.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
Atari Mania ($9.99 from $24.99 till 8/19)
Yars Recharged ($4.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Gravitar Recharged ($4.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Caverns of Mars Recharged ($4.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Black Widow Recharged ($4.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Centipede Recharged ($4.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Breakout Recharged ($4.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Pong Quest ($3.74 from $14.99 till 8/19)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 CE ($8.99 from $29.99 till 8/19)
RollerCoaster Tycoon Adv. Deluxe ($29.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)

Shadow Man Remastered ($8.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Blade Runner: Enhanced Version ($2.99 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Turok ($4.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil ($6.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion ($22.49 from $29.99 till 8/19)
Turok Trilogy Bundle ($23.99 from $59.99 till 8/19)
Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous ($9.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
PO’ed: Definitive Version ($16.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Star Wars: Darkish Forces ($19.49 from $29.99 till 8/19)
PowerSlave Exhumed ($8.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Strife: Veteran Version ($2.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Wizardry: Proving Grounds ($31.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
The Making of Karateka ($14.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story ($23.99 from $29.99 till 8/19)
Swords & Troopers 2 ($2.99 from $14.99 till 8/19)

Completely Dependable Supply Service ($2.99 from $14.99 till 8/19)
Spirits of Xanadu ($1.99 from $4.99 till 8/19)
Bilkins Folly ($12.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Blast Brigade vs. The Evil Legion ($11.99 from $19.99 till 8/25)
The Mummy Demastered ($6.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Lunark ($9.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Rose & Camellia Assortment ($13.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Shantae & the Pirate’s Curse ($9.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Shantae & the Seven Sirens ($14.99 from $29.99 till 8/26)
Marvel Boy Asha in Monster World ($9.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Marvel Boy Assortment ($14.99 from $29.99 till 8/26)
Marvel Boy Anniversary Assortment ($24.99 from $49.99 till 8/26)
Manticore: Galaxy on Fireplace ($2.19 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Nexomon ($3.99 from $9.99 till 8/26)
Nexomon Extinction ($7.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)

Potion Allow ($11.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Labyrinth of Zangetsu ($17.99 from $29.99 till 8/26)
Maglam Lord ($7.99 from $39.99 till 8/26)
ghostpia Season One ($12.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)
White Day: ASNL ($11.99 from $29.99 till 8/26)
Tremendous Bullet Break ($7.99 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Konosuba Love For These Garments ($37.49 from $49.99 till 8/26)
Arcade Spirits: New Challengers ($6.59 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Metallic Max Xeno Reborn ($13.19 from $39.99 till 8/26)
Tormented Souls ($6.59 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Knight vs Large: Damaged Excalibur ($13.39 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Aokana: 4 Rhythms Throughout Blue ($5.99 from $29.99 till 8/26)
Purple Faction Guerrilla ($2.99 from $29.99 till 8/26)
Alice Gear Aegis CS CoS ($16.49 from $29.99 till 8/26)
Bustafellows ($3.99 from $39.99 till 8/26)

Aggelos ($3.74 from $14.99 till 8/26)
Cult of the Lamb ($12.49 from $24.99 till 8/27)
9 Parchments ($4.39 from $19.99 till 8/27)
Trine Enchanted Version ($3.29 from $14.99 till 8/27)
Trine 2: Full Story ($3.73 from $16.99 till 8/27)
Trine 3: Artifacts of Energy ($4.39 from $19.99 till 8/27)
Groove Coaster Wai Wai Get together ($35.99 from $59.99 till 9/2)
RoboDunk ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/2)
Soul Hyperlink ($3.99 from $5.99 till 9/2)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, August 14th

AI: The Somnium Recordsdata ($7.99 from $39.99 till 8/14)
AI: TSF nirvanA Initiative ($23.99 from $59.99 till 8/14)
Alchemist Journey ($2.79 from $19.99 till 8/14)
Nameless;Code ($29.99 from $59.99 till 8/14)
Avaris 3 ($24.50 from $35.00 till 8/14)
Damaged Traces ($3.49 from $24.99 till 8/14)
Die for Valhalla! ($3.59 from $11.99 till 8/14)
Backyard Guardian ($2.49 from $4.99 till 8/14)
HunterX: code identify T ($10.19 from $16.99 till 8/14)
Immortal Planet ($4.49 from $14.99 till 8/14)
kuso ($2.49 from $4.99 till 8/14)
Grasp Detective Archives Rain Code ($41.99 from $59.99 till 8/14)
Onirike ($2.24 from $14.99 till 8/14)
Pan’orama ($7.99 from $19.99 till 8/14)

Raindrop Sprinters ($6.09 from $8.70 till 8/14)
Retro Machina ($2.79 from $19.99 till 8/14)
STAB STAB STAB ($2.99 from $9.99 till 8/14)
Steamburg ($1.99 from $4.99 till 8/14)
Steins;Gate Elite ($11.99 from $59.99 till 8/14)
Tetsumo Get together ($1.99 from $4.99 till 8/14)
Thea: The Awakening ($5.39 from $17.99 till 8/14)
Tilt Pack ($2.09 from $14.99 till 8/14)
Time Of Warfare, Arkano’90 ($2.24 from $14.99 till 8/14)
Tobari Dream Ocean ($10.49 from $14.99 till 8/14)
Touhou Shoujo Stunning Recollections ($20.99 from $29.99 till 8/14)
Touhou Sky Area: Matsuri-Climax ($20.99 from $29.99 till 8/14)
Wingspan ($9.99 from $19.99 till 8/14)

That’s all for right this moment, associates. We’ll be again tomorrow with a few new releases, not less than one evaluate, some gross sales, and perhaps a bit of information. The physician gave me the go-ahead right this moment to strive consuming a little bit of pizza, so I’m lastly going to money in my birthday pizza ticket and have some nasty, oily, deliciousness. Will I be confirmed a idiot for this hubris? Time will inform, however I’d guess on the affirmative. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!