Hi there mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for Could 14th, 2024. In at the moment’s article, we begin issues off with a few critiques from our pal Mikhail. He’s obtained a have a look at the considerably improved My Time at Sandrock, plus a gentle analysis of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! to get us going. After that, I dive into at the moment’s new releases, which embody a minimum of a number of video games price contemplating. We end issues up as ever with the lists of latest and expiring gross sales so that you can digest. Let’s get to work!
Evaluations & Mini-Views
My Time at Sandrock ($39.99)
My Time at Sandrock launched late final 12 months on Swap and different consoles with it hitting 1.0 on PC, however the Swap model was fairly missing. This wasn’t an enormous shock as a result of My Time at Portia was very tough on Swap, and isn’t nice even at the moment. Since My Time at Sandrock is a way more formidable recreation throughout the board, I didn’t assume we’d see many fixes, however I used to be fortunately flawed. The builders didn’t need to quit on the Swap port, and it obtained plenty of optimization with a serious replace a number of months in the past. I’m revisiting the sport for this evaluation to focus on how the Swap model is, and whether or not the sport is price your time at the moment on Nintendo’s hybrid system.
Nicely, I already included it in my characteristic on one of the best cozy Nintendo Swap video games, so sure, I positively advocate it, however I can’t bear in mind the final time a recreation of this scale noticed such an enormous improve in its sequel. There are additions and enhancements to simply about each facet of the sport, and I’m glad the group launched this in early entry to make things better up much more earlier than bringing My Time at Sandrock to console.
In the event you’re new to the “My Time at” sequence, My Time at Sandrock is principally an enormous life simulation recreation that options useful resource gathering, farming, a great deal of customization, many NPCs, a vigorous city, constructing, and extra. My Time at Sandrock, like My Time at Portia, provides you plenty of freedom, and I at all times love soaking within the worlds in these video games and simply doing my very own factor whereas all the opposite NPCs are on their routines.
Relating to life simulation video games, till I obtained a Steam Deck, I used to favor enjoying them on Swap. Now, I like having them on each gadgets and principally like them essentially the most on portables, however having unhealthy ports doesn’t assist. Some video games like Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive City and Rune Manufacturing facility 5 from Marvelous had comparable points, although they by no means noticed the fixes they wanted. My Time at Sandrock fortunately obtained fastened up sufficient to be in a state I’ve loved enjoying it in handheld mode, although that is nonetheless the worst platform to play it on on the subject of visuals and efficiency.
In plenty of methods, My Time at Sandrock seems like among the finest sequels within the style with how a lot it improves, however there are some points that really feel like a step again. I’m unsure whether it is honest to check My Time at Sandrock to My Time at Portia‘s present model, however there are a number of polish points, and a few parts that look missing on Swap.
My Time at Sandrock‘s music is superb. The voice appearing will get the job performed, however the music saved getting higher the extra I performed. I by no means obtained bored with it within the time I’ve put into the early entry Steam launch, the 1.0 launch on Steam Deck, and the Swap model since getting it. I hope we see extra added in updates and even potential DLC.
Proper now, you possibly can play My Time at Sandrock on Swap in prioritize efficiency or high quality mode when docked. I didn’t spend an excessive amount of time with it docked, nevertheless it positively didn’t hassle me like Portia did on Swap. The UI wants work although because it feels sluggish very often even for primary menus.
My Time at Sandrock is a superb life simulation recreation that improved on every thing in My Time at Portia. It’s larger and higher, and the current updates have made it one I can advocate on Nintendo Swap as nicely. In the event you held off on it after listening to how tough issues had been at launch, now you can seize it. It isn’t pretty much as good as My Time at Sandrock on Steam Deck, however it’s price getting for handheld play now. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! ($59.99)
When Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! (henceforth Demon Slayer Sweep the Board) was revealed as a Swap unique, it made sense, regardless of the prior Demon Slayer recreation accessible on all platforms proper now. These sorts of get together board recreation hybrids appear to do nicely on Nintendo’s hybrid system, and after how nicely the Demon Slayer motion journey area recreation was on Swap, this made much more sense to launch quickly, however I used to be curious how this might really feel for somebody enjoying solo or on-line primarily.
Demon Slayer Sweep the Board ships with 5 boards accessible at the beginning masking the Swordsmith Village, Yoshiwara Leisure District, Mugen Practice, Tsuzumi Mansion & Mt Natagumo, and Asakusa & the Northwest City. These boards characteristic totally different motion strategies primarily based on the theme. The boards themselves are nice, however the place Demon Slayer Sweep the Board falters is within the minigames being inconsistent in high quality. You may play towards the CPU and set problem ranges for every CPU participant, or sort out the sport on-line with matchmaking. Matchmaking sadly didn’t work too nicely for me each now and round launch.
In future updates, I hope the web play might be improved. Matchmaking takes too lengthy, and most video games I’ve had will not be enjoyable due to the steadiness points. Apart from that, I’d love new characters or much more boards added as DLC. I assume one thing shall be added when the sport is ported to different platforms sooner or later.
Visually, Demon Slayer Sweep the Board is a blended bag. Whereas some areas look actually good given the platform, there are some clear cutbacks for it being on Swap. Some elements of the sport even have very blurry textures or low decision belongings regardless of the low body charge goal on Swap. I assume a few of this was performed to make sure it performs nicely on-line towards different gamers, nevertheless it nonetheless disappointing. The gameplay motion with altering perspective and animations are excellent although, as are the character fashions.
Demon Slayer Sweep the Board ships with twin audio help which is nice to see. Smaller scale anime video games normally solely embody Japanese voiceovers. Apart from that the audio normally matches the IP and board recreation setting.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! has plenty of potential, however it’s missing for on-line play proper now. You probably have people to play with regionally and just like the IP, this shall be a very good buy. The group at CyberConnect2 did an amazing job translating Demon Slayer to this setting, however I hope there’s extra added by means of the 12 months and the web is improved. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5
Choose New Releases
Braid, Anniversary Version ($19.99)
The sport that made Jon Blow one of many early darlings of the console indie scene is now accessible on the Swap in very advantageous type certainly. Manipulate time to unravel puzzles and platforming challenges in pursuit of a lacking princess. However perhaps there’s something extra to this story? This Anniversary Version provides the sport the deluxe remedy, with new artwork, creator commentary, and a complete lot extra. Mikhail definitely loved it in his evaluation, so if this explicit taste of belly-button lint is your factor, it’s a simple pick-up.
Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior ($24.99)
The newest launch from Quantic Dream’s Highlight label, developed by Sand Door Studio, Lysfanga is a time-manipulating motion recreation the place you create temporal clones of your self to assist in fight. Certainly, the motion right here nearly feels such as you’re fixing puzzles, and it’s very intelligent in the way it’s arrange. There isn’t way more to it than the fight, sadly. It makes what may have been an amazing recreation into merely a very good one, nevertheless it would possibly nonetheless be price wanting into.
Biomutant ($39.99)
I truly anticipated the Swap model of this recreation so as to add some technical woes on high of the sport’s present points, nevertheless it’s a surprisingly good conversion. I imply, maintaining the restrictions of the {hardware} in thoughts. And which means we’re left with Biomutant, an fascinating open world action-RPG that will get about as a lot flawed because it will get proper. It’s definitely an formidable recreation, and when you’re the type that may be tolerant of tough edges for the sake of some enjoyable or fascinating gameplay parts, you would possibly contemplate taking a punt on this. However bear in mind that there are quite a bit of tough edges right here.
Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengeance of the Slayer ($16.99)
I imply, sure. This definitely appears to be like like a part of the Hypnospace Outlaw universe. It is a first-person shooter that leans arduous right into a 90s edgelord aesthetic, and it captures it with exceptional precision. As a shooter it’s respectable classic-style motion, however what actually makes it’s its weird protagonist Zane. These of us who had been youngsters within the Nineties will possible see plenty of ourselves in him, even when it makes us cringe to take action. Our pal Mikhail goes to be reviewing this one, so do look ahead to that.
Athenian Rhapsody ($14.99)
Plenty of uncommon video games at the moment. This… could be the oddest, and on a day with Slayers X additionally releasing, that’s saying one thing. It’s a comedy RPG with so many decisions and variables that no two playthroughs shall be precisely the identical. Furthermore, if you end the sport you’ll get a postcard you possibly can commerce with different gamers and use in several methods that aren’t all fully clear but. This could possibly be actually cool, or it could possibly be a complete dud. I haven’t had an opportunity to play it but, so I actually can’t say come what may.
Neptunia Recreation Maker R:Evolution ($49.99)
One other Neptunia action-RPG, and what can actually be stated about these at this level? The characters have devoted followers who’re going to indicate up it doesn’t matter what, the budgets are quite a bit smaller than the concepts the builders need to notice, and but regardless of feeling like ten kilos of mud in a two-pound bag, there’s a sure allure to all of it. I can’t think about there’s anybody on the market studying this who hasn’t already made up their thoughts on Neptunia as a sequence; this installment won’t convert anybody come what may. Nonetheless, I shall be doing a evaluation of it. It’s what we do.
Gross sales
(North American eShop, US Costs)
Loads of good video games on sale at the moment, with some new low costs on issues like Prodeus, Supraland, Temtem, and extra. The outbox however isn’t fairly as filled with gems, nevertheless it’s a minimum of price a look-over to see if something grabs you. Test each of these lists and see what’s what.
Choose New Gross sales
No person Saves the World ($9.99 from $24.99 till 5/20)
Guacamelee 2 ($4.99 from $19.99 till 5/20)
Archvale ($7.49 from $14.99 till 5/21)
The Wild at Coronary heart ($9.99 from $24.99 till 5/21)
Unpacking ($9.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Flynn: Son of Crimson ($7.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Dodgeball Academia ($9.99 from $24.99 till 5/21)
Supraland ($9.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical ($20.99 from $29.99 till 5/21)
Unsighted ($7.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Infinite Guitars ($11.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
A Hat in Time ($14.99 from $29.99 till 5/21)
Forager ($6.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Mineko’s Night time Market ($13.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Ghost Track ($11.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Prodeus ($14.99 from $24.99 till 5/21)
Midnight Struggle Categorical ($11.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Moonscars ($13.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Temtem ($17.99 from $44.99 till 5/21)
Whereas the Iron’s Scorching ($14.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Slay the Spire ($8.49 from $24.99 till 5/21)
Ikenfell ($5.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Void Bastards ($8.99 from $29.99 till 5/21)
Wizard of Legend ($4.79 from $15.99 till 5/21)
Proper and Down and Cube ($8.40 from $11.99 till 5/22)
Strike Group Gladius ($2.99 from $9.99 till 5/27)
Ashwalkers ($7.99 from $19.99 till 5/27)
ScourgeBringer ($5.09 from $16.99 till 5/27)
Final Rooster Horse ($6.74 from $14.99 till 5/27)
Terra Memoria ($14.99 from $19.99 till 5/27)
Lords of Exile ($13.99 from $19.99 till 5/27)
Born of Bread ($14.99 from $29.99 till 5/27)
Spirit of the Island ($18.74 from $24.99 till 5/27)
Gravity Circuit ($15.39 from $21.99 till 5/27)
Vernal Edge ($14.29 from $21.99 till 5/27)
Demon Turf ($12.49 from $24.99 till 5/31)
Dungeons of Dreadrock ($1.99 from $10.00 till 6/3)
LEGO Star Wars: Skywalker Saga GE ($19.99 from $79.99 till 6/3)
Mortal Kombat 11 ($9.99 from $49.99 till 6/3)
Mortal Kombat 1 Premium ($54.99 from $109.99 till 6/3)
Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Could fifteenth
Aragami 2 ($9.99 from $39.99 till 5/15)
Archetype Arcadia ($22.49 from $29.99 till 5/15)
Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All! ($6.24 from $24.99 till 5/15)
Bramble: The Mountain King ($11.99 from $29.99 till 5/15)
Bugsnax ($12.49 from $24.99 till 5/15)
Cloudpunk ($3.74 from $24.99 till 5/15)
Cry Infants Magic Tears: The Massive Recreation ($15.99 from $39.99 till 5/15)
Die After Sundown ($14.99 from $19.99 till 5/15)
Dolphin Spirit: Ocean Mission ($17.99 from $29.99 till 5/15)
Fluffy Horde ($1.99 from $9.99 till 5/15)
Contemporary Begin ($8.99 from $19.99 till 5/15)
Garfield Kart Livid Racing ($1.99 from $29.99 till 5/15)
Hercule Poirot: The First Instances ($5.99 from $29.99 till 5/15)
Inspector Gadget Mad Time Celebration ($23.99 from $39.99 till 5/15)
Jumbo Airport Story ($7.00 from $14.00 till 5/15)
Mega Mall Story ($6.00 from $12.00 till 5/15)
Homicide on the Orient Categorical ($23.99 from $39.99 till 5/15)
My Universe My Child Dragon ($10.49 from $29.99 till 5/15)
My Universe Puppies & Kittens ($2.49 from $24.99 till 5/15)
No Place Like Residence ($9.99 from $24.99 till 5/15)
Octahedron: Transfixed Version ($1.99 from $12.99 till 5/15)
Octodad: Dadliest Catch ($4.49 from $14.99 till 5/15)
Operation Wolf Returns: 1st Mission ($14.99 from $29.99 till 5/15)
Scrap Riders ($6.99 from $19.99 till 5/15)
House Papers: Planet’s Border ($1.99 from $7.99 till 5/15)
Sparklite ($3.74 from $24.99 till 5/15)
The Dragoness: Command of the Flame ($12.59 from $17.99 till 5/15)
The Lightbringer ($2.99 from $14.99 till 5/15)
The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf ($9.99 from $39.99 till 5/15)
Valthirian Arc Hero College Story 2 ($13.39 from $19.99 till 5/15)
Heat Snow ($11.99 from $19.99 till 5/15)
That’s all for at the moment, pals. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra new releases, extra gross sales, maybe some critiques, and perhaps even some information. We’ll need to see. I used to be truly out on a enterprise journey for many of at the moment, and also you’ll see the outcomes of that considerably quickly. With plenty of assist from Mikhail, I obtained this text out anyway. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as at all times, thanks for studying!
