Reviews Featuring ‘Pentiment’ & ‘Sympathy Kiss’, Plus Today’s New Releases and Sales – TouchArcade Leave a comment

Howdy light readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for March 4th, 2024. One other week is upon us, and whereas the Swap simply blew out seven candles on its cake, issues proceed to maneuver alongside round right here at a fast pace. We’ve bought a handful of critiques so that you can get pleasure from as we speak. Our pal Mikhail has his ideas on Pentiment, Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story, and Cricket By the Ages. Busy beaver the previous few days, to make sure. I’ve bought a evaluate for you too, taking a look at Concept Manufacturing facility’s Sympathy Kiss. After that, we head to the bins for a full load of doubtful new releases, then end issues up by trying out the lists of latest and expiring gross sales for the day. Let’s get out on the highway!

Critiques & Mini-Views

Pentiment ($19.99)

Final yr, I spoke to Josh Sawyer round Pentiment‘s anniversary to debate the sport, his profession, cheese, and far more. In that interview, I requested if there was an opportunity Pentiment may hit iPad or Swap sooner or later, and he talked about that he’d love the sport to be on as many platforms as attainable, however “time will inform.” Quick ahead to final week and Pentiment hit Nintendo Swap and PlayStation platforms as the primary of some Xbox exclusives being ported over. Once I initially purchased the sport on Xbox and Steam and fell in love with it, I all the time mentioned I’d purchase each port it will get, and right here we’re.

Having purchased Pentiment on each Swap and PS5, I used to be curious to see how I felt in regards to the sport a bit of over a yr after it debuted. I featured Pentiment as probably the greatest Steam Deck video games of 2022, however how does it really feel on Nintendo Swap? The reply is it feels good with one small caveat which will or could not have an effect on you. Earlier than moving into the port specifics and the way Pentiment feels throughout each platform, I wished to enter a bit about why it’s a particular sport.

In the event you’ve by no means heard of it or aren’t positive why Obsidian’s Pentiment coming to Swap and PlayStation platforms is an enormous deal, it’s a historic narrative-driven journey sport that’s set in sixteenth century Bavaria that floored me once I initially skilled it. You play as Andreas Maler who’s making an attempt to unravel a conspiracy throughout a multi-generational story that has components of detective adventures. So the premise is attention-grabbing, however what units Pentiment aside from different journey video games barring its aesthetic, is in its branching techniques that change how one can expertise issues and what you possibly can see.

That is what bought me to maintain dipping again into Pentiment a number of occasions since its launch, and even maintain it put in on my Steam Deck to simply bounce into once more as a result of it’s that good. Pentiment will make you query numerous issues together with how you are feeling about historical past on the whole and your personal place on the planet.

Since it’s a narrative-focused expertise, I gained’t spoil something, however even with no voice performing, Obsidian managed to ship among the most memorable characters, and that is enhanced by its wonderful use of historic fonts and results for various characters. Pentiment makes use of a ton of stylized fonts for its dialogue, however you possibly can go for a extra readable expertise by means of an in-game setting. In actual fact, the accessibility settings have been actually good with textual content dimension and pace largely to assist me replay it on my TV and likewise strive it on a number of display screen sizes over the past week.

Visually, Pentiment is gorgeous. It has excellent animations, character designs, and transitions by means of its fashionable menus. Josh praised Hannah Kennedy, the artwork director, fairly a bit in my interview with him, however Hannah and everybody else accountable for the artwork actually did a surprising job right here making even minor characters look distinct and stick to you thru the story.

On the audio aspect, Pentiment does quite a bit with out precise voice performing. That is by means of varied atmospheric sound results, some small expression clips, and the sport’s superlative soundtrack from Alkemie. I don’t purchase numerous sport soundtracks on vinyl anymore, however made an exception for Pentiment with its latest repress. The rating completely enhances the narrative moments and even provides some stunning taste to others.

Having performed Pentiment on Xbox Sequence X and Steam Deck final yr, I loved it much more on Valve’s handheld. Quick ahead to as we speak, I’ve additionally performed it on Swap (OLED and Lite), and lately tried it on PS5. The Steam Deck and Swap variations are nonetheless my favourite, and I hope Pentiment involves iPad sooner or later. However earlier than that, I wished to briefly cowl what to anticipate on every console proper now.

On Swap, Pentiment has minor body pacing points in solely particular scenes, however runs and appears nice in any other case each docked and handheld. If you wish to play Pentiment solely on TV or a monitor and have a PS5, I’d get that model as it’s larger decision and has quicker load occasions. The PS5 model additionally runs at as much as 120fps in case your show helps it. On Swap, the load occasions are usually not unhealthy, however they aren’t as quick because the PS5 as anticipated. The Xbox model presently doesn’t help 120hz, however that’s apparently a bug that might be mounted. It does help Fast Resume although on the console which is nice to have.

We don’t normally cowl PS5 and Xbox stuff right here until it pertains to how a sport is in comparison with the Swap, cellular, or Steam Deck variations, however I wished to additionally point out how Pentiment on PS5 has help for the Exercise Playing cards to immediately get into your save. The haptics aren’t nearly as good as they might’ve been on Sony’s console.

I’ve praised Pentiment quite a bit, however in the event you’re interested in any of its faults, I solely actually want it had touchscreen help on Swap. Barring that, there’s nothing I didn’t like about it again then, and I’ve beloved revisiting it. In the event you aren’t a fan of video games that make you learn quite a bit like pure visible novels or historic settings, this will not be for you although.

I normally don’t touch upon a sport’s value, however Pentiment feels underpriced whilst a late port. That’s an excellent factor as a result of it lowers the barrier of entry to make those that could not have tried a sport within the style or one thing like this earlier than to present it a shot, however I nonetheless wished to make an observation of how low cost it’s for the standard and what you’re getting right here.

When Pentiment got here out, it felt like a sport laser targeted in its course and goal, and it delivered in spades. It won’t be for everybody, however I believe the accessibility choices for readability and textual content on the whole make it extra approachable. Hopefully with it now on PS5, PS4, and Swap over a yr after its debut, extra folks give it a shot.

It seems Pentiment, similar to good cheese (ask Josh Sawyer about this) and wine, solely will get higher with age. Not solely do I believe it’s a magnificent expertise from begin to end prefer it was again on Steam Deck, but it surely has discovered a brand new residence on Nintendo Swap delivering the complete expertise with attractive visuals on the OLED display screen. In the event you skipped it earlier than, now’s the time to rectify your error and play one of many greats. Hopefully Obsidian can add touchscreen help in an replace as a result of that’s actually the one factor I’d prefer to see added on this port. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Rating: 5/5

Cricket By the Ages ($7.99)

Devolver Digital and Free Lives’ Cricket By the Ages arrived on Nintendo Swap and PC just a few days in the past following its debut on Apple Arcade. I already performed it on iPhone again then, but it surely has been enjoyable revisiting the sport with all updates to see how the hilarious physics-based insanity feels on Nintendo Swap.

In the event you’ve not performed it earlier than, Cricket By the Ages is a single button physics-based social gathering sport that goals to show you about Cricket and extra. As you progress by means of the levels and “be taught” extra in regards to the sport, you unlock extra modes which are much more excessive of their gameplay. I all the time thought Cricket By the Ages was a beautiful one and accomplished expertise on Apple Arcade, but it surely has since been up to date so as to add extra modes and mini-games. Proper now, Cricket By the Ages is a hilarious social gathering sport that isn’t as a lot enjoyable solo.

Visually, Cricket By the Ages has all the time been a really colourful sport, and it appears to be like wonderful on Nintendo Swap in handheld mode. It does look higher on trendy iOS units given the higher screens, however you aren’t lacking a lot in the event you play on Swap. The Swap additionally lets you’ve got a greater native multiplayer expertise from the get go. On Swap, Cricket By the Ages has each contact and button controls, and it even helps single Pleasure-Con play permitting for an out of the field native multiplayer expertise.

I all the time thought Cricket By the Ages was a fantastic brief expertise that was a beautiful addition to Apple Arcade. As a standalone paid sport although, it’s a bit tougher to advocate until you’re shopping for it to play as a hilarious social gathering sport with buddies. Fortunately the low asking value makes it a better capsule to swallow, and the Swap port is excellent. I do hope the builders add extra to it although in potential updates. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5

Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story ($24.99)

Enjoying Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story has been a rollercoaster in some ways. It being the ultimate Riot Forge launch makes me unhappy, as a result of regardless of my points with among the video games, I beloved the initiative from Riot, and hoped we’d see extra premium video games within the League of Legends universe from different builders. When Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story was introduced as a crafting RPG in its debut trailer, I used to be excited to play it, however was curious how it will examine with different video games within the style. Having now performed it on each Swap and Steam Deck, the sport has numerous potential, however has just a few issues holding it again.

Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story by Lazy Bear, who made Graveyard Keeper, is a mix of attractive colourful visuals, crafting, and stress-free music. You’ll knit, discover, prepare dinner, construct devices, assist others, and extra as you’re employed on reuniting Bandle Metropolis. Plenty of crafting, cozy, and simulation targeted RPGs reside or die by how they handle to stability the texture of a grind with story or different development. Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story may be very inconsistent in that regard. You would go an hour having enjoyable exploring and gathering and all of the sudden run into tedium navigating sluggish interfaces to complete some duties. This stuff make it really feel like an early entry launch sadly. I frequently play farming and simulation RPGs and whereas Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story excels in its aesthetic and appeal, it wants extra work in its precise gameplay and construction.

As a sport aimed toward a youthful viewers, Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story will get quite a bit proper, but it surely feels a bit too grindy in components throughout its lengthy runtime. Whereas the Swap model has uneven efficiency and sluggish motion in lots of areas, even the PC model on Steam Deck model appears to have some points. Most of those relate to how the character motion feels and a few judder with the digicam. This may not have an effect on you, however the judder throughout motion gave me movement illness in some places. I hope it may be mounted in publish launch updates if any are deliberate.

Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story may’ve been a a lot better expertise had it seen a bit extra polish and tweaking in a few of its mechanics and construction. There’s a beautiful base right here to construct on, however there are just a few too many issues holding it again from being a simple suggestion, and the technical points on Swap don’t assist. It’s nevertheless an excellent choose up and play expertise and is approachable even by full newcomers to the universe. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

Sympathy Kiss ($49.99)

Maybe because of the sheer quantity of romance-themed visible novels on the market, it’s pretty frequent for them to have some form of twist that helps them stand out. Concept Manufacturing facility, through the Otomate line, isn’t any stranger to that form of factor. So it’s unusually refreshing to see a sport like Sympathy Kiss, a sport that mixes a comparatively down-to-Earth premise with the excessive degree of polish we’ve come to count on from this writer’s work. No fantasy world, no magic, no reincarnation; simply an abnormal trendy setting with abnormal folks and largely (largely!) regular relationships.

The heroine, whose default title is Akari Amasawa, is a junior designer at a cellular app firm. She enjoys the job properly sufficient and appears to be good at it, however she’s nonetheless looking for her “factor”. The corporate itself is kind of profitable, however its unique flagship product, a information app referred to as Estarci, has misplaced recognition to the purpose that it’s vulnerable to being shut down. Akari is all of the sudden invited to affix the small workforce assigned to strive to reserve it. In the event that they succeed, it will be a feather in all of their caps. In the event that they fail… properly, they’ll most likely lose their jobs. Akari must be taught as she goes, all whereas making an attempt to get together with a quite uncommon workforce.

The gameplay techniques listed here are additionally fairly abnormal. You’ll be prompted to make decisions right here and there, which generally comes within the type of dialogue and generally in feelings. These decisions will decide which route you find yourself on and which ending inside that route you’ll arrive at. There are six foremost romanceable characters, plus two secret ones. They cowl numerous the standard archetypes of this style, however the writing high quality manages to place sufficient of a spin of them that they largely keep away from being too plain or predictable. You’ll virtually actually like some higher than others, however that’s all the time the case. Do observe that one of many characters, predictably, goes full yandere and does some fairly skeevy stuff. It may not be one thing everyone seems to be comfy with.

All the standard choices and options we see in Concept Manufacturing facility’s visible novels are current and welcome. As already talked about, Sympathy Kiss in its nuts and bolts is totally as much as the standard requirements of the writer. The characters are properly realized, the prose is well-written, the artwork is great, the voice performing (Japanese solely) is well-done, and the big range of routes to play by means of offers you loads to do. The setting is as slice-of-life because it will get, however the primary plot and the heroine’s position in it are each participating sufficient to serve the aim.

Sympathy Kiss most likely gained’t knock anybody’s socks off, however generally it’s good to get a sport that colours contained in the strains with a good quantity of ability. The workplace setting and extremely grounded plotline work as a helpful anchor for the usually uncommon characters you’ll be assembly, and with a complete of eight routes to play by means of there’s certain to be a favourite dude right here for anybody’s tastes. Its best power can also be its best weak spot; it’s a really abnormal visible novel in nearly each regard. Are available with these expectations, and also you’ll discover this an honest sufficient deal with.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5

New Releases

The Bin Bunch

Loopy Goose Simulator ($12.99)

Pool Collectively 2 ($4.99)

Taser Gun ($0.99)

Buggy Race – Racing Grasp ($11.99)

Gravityscape DX ($3.99)

Hexa Puzzle Block ($3.99)

Fantasy Tower Protection Final ($3.99)

Chimp Quest: Spirit Isle ($9.99)

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

A pleasant Marvelous/XSEED sale to begin the week off with. Good. Rise up’s additionally doing a little deep reductions on its titles, they usually’re virtually all value making an attempt out. Not a lot within the outbox of observe, however some good video games in there to make sure. Have a gander by means of each lists to see if there’s something you’re within the temper to select up.

Choose New Gross sales

Sakuna: Of Rice & Break ($14.99 from $29.99 till 3/12)
No Extra Heroes ($9.99 from $19.99 till 3/12)
No Extra Heroes 2: Determined Battle ($9.99 from $19.99 till 3/12)
Silent Hope ($19.99 from $39.99 till 3/12)
Trinity Set off ($19.99 from $39.99 till 3/12)
Trinity Set off Deluxe ($22.49 from $49.99 till 3/12)
Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle LE ($14.99 from $29.99 till 3/12)
Loop8: Summer time of Gods ($11.99 from $39.99 till 3/12)
Deadcraft ($6.99 from $19.99 till 3/12)
Deadcraft Deluxe ($8.99 from $29.99 till 3/12)
Rune Manufacturing facility 3 Particular ($19.99 from $39.99 till 3/12)
Rune Manufacturing facility 3 Particular Deluxe ($24.99 from $49.99 till 3/12)
Rune Manufacturing facility 4 Particular ($14.99 from $29.99 till 3/12)
Rune Manufacturing facility 5 Deluxe ($24.99 from $49.99 till 3/12)
Story of Seasons: A Fantastic Life ($19.99 from $39.99 till 3/12)

Story of Seasons: Mineral City ($15.99 from $39.99 till 3/12)
Story of Seasons: Olive City ($19.99 from $39.99 till 3/12)
Gal Steel ($4.99 from $19.99 till 3/12)
Touhou: New World ($14.99 from $24.99 till 3/12)
Melon Journey Bittersweet Reminiscences ($4.49 from $14.99 till 3/12)
Akiba’s Journey: Hellbound & Debriefed ($7.99 from $19.99 till 3/12)
Akiba’s Journey: Undead & Undressed ($14.99 from $29.99 till 3/12)
Corpse Social gathering ($9.99 from $19.99 till 3/12)
Corpse Social gathering Blood Drive ($7.99 from $19.99 till 3/12)
Freedom Planet ($4.49 from $14.99 till 3/12)
The Pale Past ($9.99 from $19.99 till 3/14)
Citizen Sleeper ($9.99 from $19.99 till 3/14)
Paradise Killer ($7.99 from $19.99 till 3/14)
The Stillness of the Wind ($1.99 from $12.99 till 3/14)
Pink Useless Redemption ($34.99 from $49.99 till 3/15)

GTA The Trilogy DE ($29.99 from $59.99 till 3/15)
L.A. Noire ($24.99 from $49.99 till 3/15)
Borderlands 3 Final Version ($29.99 from $59.99 till 3/15)
Tears of Avia ($4.94 from $14.99 till 3/15)
Journey Academia: TFC ($23.99 from $39.99 till 3/15)
Raging Loop ($14.99 from $29.99 till 3/15)
The Dragoness: Command of Flame ($13.49 from $17.99 till 3/15)
Lair Land Story ($8.24 from $14.99 till 3/15)
Archetype Arcadia ($23.99 from $29.99 till 3/15)
Gravity Heroes ($2.24 from $14.99 till 3/15)
The Aircraft Impact ($3.74 from $14.99 till 3/15)
Zengeon ($3.99 from $19.99 till 3/15)
Die After Sundown ($15.99 from $19.99 till 3/15)
Valthirian Arc: HSS 2 ($13.99 from $19.99 till 3/15)
Unusual Brigade ($6.99 from $34.99 till 3/15)
Unusual Brigade Deluxe ($11.99 from $59.99 till 3/15)

Zombie Military Trilogy ($8.74 from $34.99 till 3/15)
Zombie Military 4: Useless Battle ($14.99 from $49.99 till 3/15)
Sniper Elite V2 Remastered ($8.74 from $34.99 till 3/15)
Sniper Elite 3 UE ($8.74 from $34.99 till 3/15)
Sniper Elite 4 ($9.99 from $39.99 till 3/15)
Sniper Elite 4 Deluxe ($14.99 from $59.99 till 3/15)
Battlezone Gold Version ($6.99 from $34.99 till 3/15)
Psyvariar Delta ($14.99 from $29.99 till 3/16)
Penguin Wars ($7.49 from $14.99 till 3/16)
Japanese Rail Sim: Journey to Kyoto ($34.99 from $49.99 till 3/16)
OlliOlli World Rad Version ($14.84 from $44.99 till 3/18)
Whateverland ($5.99 from $14.99 till 3/19)
Thriller Field Evolution ($7.99 from $9.99 till 3/21)
All I Need for Christmas are Subgames ($7.99 from $9.99 till 3/21)

Related Hearts Full Moon Curse CE ($11.99 from $14.99 till 3/21)
Related Hearts Fortune Play CE ($11.99 from $14.99 till 3/21)
Twin Thoughts Ghost Hunter CE ($8.99 from $14.99 till 3/21)
Large Journey Journey to Europe 4 CE ($5.99 from $14.99 till 3/21)
One Extra Dungeon 2 ($11.99 from $14.99 till 3/22)
Druidwalker ($1.99 from $2.99 till 3/22)
Suicide Man The Misplaced Goals ($4.95 from $7.99 till 3/22)
Turnip Boy Robs A Financial institution ($11.99 from $14.99 till 3/22)
Livestream 2: Escape from Togaezuka ($19.99 from $24.99 till 3/22)
Sentimental Demise Loop ($13.99 from $19.99 till 3/22)
Love on Go away ($14.99 from $24.99 till 3/22)
Retimed ($7.49 from $14.99 till 3/23)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, March fifth

Burnout Paradise ($5.99 from $29.99 till 3/5)
Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, Assorted ($0.99 from $1.99 till 3/5)
Capcom Arcade Stadium, Assorted ($0.99 from $1.99 till 3/5)
Choo-Choo Charles ($15.99 from $19.99 till 3/5)
Cynthia: Hidden within the Moonshadow ($11.19 from $13.99 till 3/5)
Fe ($3.99 from $19.99 till 3/5)
Full Quiet ($3.49 from $9.99 till 3/5)
It Takes Two ($19.99 from $39.99 till 3/5)
Little Orpheus ($7.79 from $12.99 till 3/5)
Misplaced in Random ($2.99 from $29.99 till 3/5)
Make Manner ($9.89 from $14.99 till 3/5)
Mighty Swap Pressure! Assortment ($6.99 from $19.99 till 3/5)
Mystic Gate ($6.49 from $9.99 till 3/5)
Want for Pace Sizzling Pursuit ($7.99 from $39.99 till 3/5)
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero ($6.99 from $19.99 till 3/5)
Snake Move ($8.19 from $19.99 till 3/5)
Tremendous Mega Baseball 4 ($19.99 from $49.99 till 3/5)
The Isle Tide Resort ($14.99 from $19.99 till 3/5)

That’s all for as we speak, buddies. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra (and hopefully higher) new releases, extra gross sales, some critiques, and maybe some information. I’ve been actually exhausted the previous few days, and the quantity of tea in my work fridge is woefully inadequate. Chilly water over my head it’s. I hope you all have an impressive Monday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!