Hello dear readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade roundup for May 11, 2023. Weep for today’s new releases, my friends. We have a brand new Zelda tomorrow’s game, with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom finally arriving after years of development. I imagine a lot of people reserve their money and game time for this, and I’m not sure what that means for games today. There are definitely some good ones here, and we have summaries of the whole group. After that, we look at the relatively light listings of new and expiring sales for the day. Let’s get to the games!
New releases
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 ($39.99)
Another portion of depression and despair, most likely. Fuga: Melodies of Steel worn on the Little Tail Brox series dutifully, and it seems to have done well enough to get a sequel. Overall, you can expect more of what you saw in the first game, but some gameplay mechanics have been changed based on player feedback from the first. Naturally, this also tells a whole new story, with many choices that can lead to various outcomes. If you are new to the series, start with the first one Flee. If you didn’t like this game, you probably won’t like this one. What if you did? You’ve probably already pre-ordered it.
Gunvein ($19.95)
NGDEV’s well-regarded vertical shooter is coming to Switch with this release. It’s a heavy ball game that rewards aggressive players, and it’s pretty good. If you like Cave shooting games, you will be right at home here. There are three different characters to use, multiple game modes, and those ever so crucial online leaderboards for competing. It also contains various tutorials and challenges that will help you learn the ins and outs of the game.
TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3 ($49.99)
Nacon’s decent but unspectacular motorcycle rider is back for another round. It features updated content based on the latest TT and a new open world that lets you roam the Isle of Man in search of different modes and challenges. Given the performance issues of previous versions of Nacon on the Switch, I fear for how this open world will perform on that platform, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough. Probably best to wait for some reviews on this one.
Arcade Archives Mazinger Z ($14.99)
Well, here comes a milestone: the first licensed game from the Arcades Archives line up. And the price matches that, I’m afraid. It is a vertical shooter released in 1994 by Banpresto, based on the classic giant robot brand. Take control of the titular hero and take down the bad guys. It’s not the best of shooters by any means, but it’s not too shabby either. Hope this opens the door to this drug Sailor Moon beat them.
Murderous Muses ($13.99)
From the creators of The infectious madness of Doctor Dekker, the shape-shifting detective, And Dark Nights with Poe and Munro comes this procedurally generated supernatural mystery game. Yeah, it’s a little different every time you play it, and yeah, that sort of thing always makes me a little nervous too. Reviews for its Steam version were somewhat lackluster, but it seems to have received a slightly warmer reception from gamers. If you want to solve a murder mystery in an art gallery where exhibits come to life, check it out. No one else is creating a game for your very particular tastes, after all.
Elemental Warfare 2 ($19.99)
Oh hey, another Stadia refugee. It’s a tower defense game, and it’s not particularly good. Not really terrible either. It offers eleven different maps to play on, and you can play with another player online assuming you can find anyone. Really, the main thing it has to do is decent visual presentation, but it’s very hard to recommend with much vigor unless you really want to play every tower defense game you come across.
Local News with Cliff Rockslide ($9.99)
I remember a few years ago people telling me that there would never be nostalgia for the 3D era of video game visual style. I think it’s safe to say that these people, who are probably made up, were wrong. Either way, it’s a first-person game where you control the camera. It’s up to you to frame the events that happen in any way you choose. It’s a comedic adventure, so how well it lands will largely depend on whether you find it funny or not. I dig the graphics, at least. The rest will have to be seen.
Leap From Hell ($9.99)
EpiXR is back, it seems. This editor certainly gets a lot out of its engine. Either way, this one is a first-person platformer. Go through each level as fast as you can, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of hell as you go. Not very exciting, but I’m sure some people will have fun with it.
Menseki: Area Maze Search ($4.99)
Another simple puzzle game in the Menseki series. This one lets you search for shapes using a few clues and your own intuition. The presentation is, as always, quite spartan. But the puzzles look pretty decent, so if you’re looking for another type of logic puzzle, this might be worth your five.
Herod ($4.99)
QUByte does quite well in its space on the eShop, releasing some interesting and very affordable games that are a bit above their weight class. But a traditional side-scrolling shoot-em-up looks like risky business given that Arcades Archives offers over a hundred great shooters for just a few bucks more than that. fans of life force might appreciate the biological theme of this game, but it’s really just a bit in-between on a platform full of high-end games in this genre, even in this price range.
After You ($6.99)
This is another breakout style puzzle adventure. The game is made up of three chapters, each with its own area to explore and puzzles to solve. You play as a character who wakes up to find that his entire family and neighbors are missing. He must explore the empty environments and try to understand what is going on. Fairly standard configuration for this kind of business.
Pretty Girls 2048 Strike ($6.99)
well it is 2048 mixed with the Pretty girls good branding. Play 2048, gradually unlock more sexy costumes for ladies. It’s not rocket science, but I’m relatively sure it will sell.
Match Puzzle: Classic Logic Arcade ($9.99)
I mean, these are just a few of those old matchstick puzzles. You can do this with toothpicks or matches yourself. You don’t have to give Megame ten bucks for this nonsense.
Zombie Dead Smasher – Poly Games 3D World Kill Strike Gun Shooter Simulator 2023 ($9.99)
More nonsense from Midnight Works. You have to play it in handheld mode because it’s probably a half-butt mobile port and the editor couldn’t be bothered to implement button controls. Leave it in the trash can where it came from.
Sales
(North American online store, US prices)
Looks like Square Enix is having a sale on what’s left of its line of Western games. I’m surprised they kept fear effect, to be honest. I would have thought it would go with the rest of Eidos. Well, anyway, you can get PowerWash Simulator and some of life is strange discounted games. Not too much in the outbox, so I’ll leave it up to you to dig. Rabid Blasters And Missile Dancer are both cool, at least.
Select New games on sale
PowerWash Simulator ($19.99 from $24.99 until 5/18)
Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection ($29.99 from $39.99 until 5/18)
Life is Strange True Colors ($29.99 from $59.99 until 5/18)
Sedna fear effect ($1.99 from $19.99 until 5/18)
Truck and logistics simulator ($27.99 from $39.99 until 5/19)
Bridge! 3 ($6.99 from $9.99 until 5/19)
Highway Police Simulator 2 ($27.99 from $39.99 until 5/19)
Oxide Room 104 ($8.74 from $24.99 until 5/22)
Timothy vs. Aliens ($2.54 from $16.99 until 5/22)
Heart and slash ($2.24 from $14.99 until 5/22)
Anima: the gate of memories ($2.99 from $19.99 until 5/22)
Anima: GoM – The Nameless Chronicles ($2.99 from $19.99 until 5/22)
Dance of Death: Du Lac & Fey ($11.99 from $15.99 until 5/25)
Piczle Lines 2 ($11.24 from $14.99 until 5/26)
Cute Girls Four Kings Solitaire ($3.59 from $5.99 until 5/26)
In the mood ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/26)
Z deformation ($3.49 from $6.99 until 5/26)
Ranchiuna’s dead tree ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/26)
Thunder Kid: HftRE ($3.19 from $7.99 until 5/26)
Thunder Kid II: Null Mission ($3.19 from $7.99 until 5/26)
Sofiya and the old clan ($4.79 from $7.99 until 5/26)
daredevil town ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/26)
Sakura Player ($7.99 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Metro Midnight ($7.69 from $10.99 until 6/1)
Sales end tomorrow, Friday, May 12
A young astrologer guesses the future ($4.35 from $8.70 until 5/12)
book quest ($4.19 from $6.99 until 5/12)
find paradise ($8.39 from $11.99 until 5/12)
Lightning 3 ($14.99 from $19.99 until 5/12)
Gemini Arm ($6.64 from $9.49 until 5/12)
Haven ($12.49 from $24.99 until 5/12)
Jumping Girl Kohane Jumping Kingdom ($3.99 from $19.99 until 5/12)
Horatio is snowboarding ($3.49 from $6.99 until 5/12)
Ball adventure for kids ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/12)
Kursk ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/12)
light of life ($3.99 from $4.99 until 5/12)
Madoris R ($4.00 from $5.00 until 5/12)
Maggie the Magnet ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/12)
magical girls ($4.00 from $5.00 until 5/12)
Magical Girls 2nd Magic ($3.99 from $4.99 until 5/12)
Missile Dancer ($6.99 from $9.99 until 5/12)
Mounting ($10.49 from $14.99 until 5/12)
Overload of needy streamers ($11.99 from $19.99 until 5/12)
Neko Marine Daydream Edition ($8.70 from $12.99 until 5/12)
No Adventure ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/12)
Otoko Cross: Pretty Boys Mahjong Solitaire ($4.68 from $6.99 until 5/12)
Highrise Project: AE ($7.99 from $39.99 until 5/12)
Rage among the stars ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/12)
Rabid Blasters ($10.29 from $14.70 until 5/12)
Refreshing Ghost Hammer Side Puzzle ($16.79 from $27.99 until 5/12)
rap ($2.09 from $2.99 until 5/12)
Hit the rocks ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/12)
Smilemo ($7.99 from $9.99 until 5/12)
Sushi is back ($9.99 from $13.99 until 5/12)
ten dates ($13.59 from $15.99 until 5/12)
To the Moon ($8.39 from $11.99 until 5/12)
Twice Reborn: A Vampire Visual Novel ($11.24 from $14.99 until 5/12)
Virtual Maid Ramie Streamer ($4.90 from $7.01 until 5/12)
That’s all for today, my friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with the latest releases of the week, which is led by The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. We’ll also have a good list of sales to go through, so look forward to that as well. Hope you all have an exciting Thursday and, as always, thanks for reading!
