Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for November 18th, 2022. In today’s article, we look at the remaining releases of the week. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the obvious big guns, but we’ve also got games like Oddworld: Soulstorm, Finding Paradise, and Goodbye World to consider. There are summaries of each of them, as always. After that, we roll into the new and expiring sales of the day. Not as many as you might think, which is a sure sign the Black Friday sales are a-brewin’. Let’s go!
SwitchArcade Highlight!
The new Pokemon generation is upon us, and it seems as though it’s coming in real hot. Explore a whole new region, find new Pokemon, and do that usual thing we all enjoy doing in Pokemon games. I haven’t dug into this one yet, but from all accounts there are two things that can be said about it. First, in terms of the gameplay design, the consensus seems to be that it’s great. Second, in terms of its technical performance, it’s apparently very rough. I’ll likely be doing a review of this one, but it’s up to you how much those issues are going to mess with your enjoyment of everything else.
SwitchArcade Highlight!
The latest Oddworld game makes it to Switch, more or less intact. It’s a reimagining of Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, but it is essentially a whole new game that touches on similar story beats. The puzzle-platforming gameplay follows pretty closely in line with Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, so if you enjoyed that game you may want to give this a closer look. I reviewed this a few days ago and found it to be decent if not necessarily a must-have. Oddworld fans should have a good time with it, at least.
This is a 2D action-platformer where you play as a musketeer in a zombie-infested 17th century Germany. It’s kind of weird how when you imagine a musketeer, you imagine sword-wielding fellows. I mean, the gun is right in the name of the job. Muskets are kind of troublesome weapons, though. They fire once and take a while to reload. That’s something you’ll have to keep in mind as you play this, as your all-important ranged weapon can only be used every once in a while. I’ll have a review of this one soon.
That title doesn’t smack you in the face about it, but this is a follow-up to the indie hit To The Moon. Finding Paradise has a similar premise wherein some doctors are using their experimental treatment to allow someone on the verge of death to re-live their life inside their head and have a second chance at making things better. The patient this time is named Colin, and his wish seems to be self-contradicting at first. Reviews were glowing on other platforms, and I imagine it will make no less of an impact on Switch owners.
A little Metroidvania-ish game featuring a heroic slime. Lots of those going around lately, it’s very heart-warming. There are four different locations to explore, and three different difficulty levels to play on. Very short, but for a fiver I’m sure you expect that.
This game tells the story of two friends who have been making indie games together for a while to little success. One of them makes a decision which will change everything. The story is told around a twelve-stage puzzle platformer, which is certainly an interesting twist on the usual way of presenting a narrative. Or perhaps in some sense the most traditional way? Well, I’m not going to sort that out here.
Sometimes a game’s title does half my job for me. In this third-person shooter, you play as a succubus. A succubus with guns. Battle the undead and other monsters, collect more guns, and try to get home. I wouldn’t expect the most sterling gameplay mechanics here, but you will certainly get a succubus with guns. So you can’t really complain.
Here’s a visual novel adventure where you play as a New York detective who is called to a mysterious island to investigate an even more mysterious situation. He goes there with a more mysterious still girl who has some special abilities. Can you discover the secret of the island and get out alive? Look, a three-headed monkey!
A kid is lost in space and needs to get home, using the forces of gravity and other skills to overcome the obstacles in his path. This puzzle-platformer first released back in 2012 on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. It was a bit middling at the time, with some interesting ideas and the occasional gorgeous vista contrasting with a certain coarseness to the gameplay. Ten years later, it’s not much better. I suppose if you’re a fan of the game who has always wanted a portable version, this is your day.
Another reminder that the World Cup fever is heating up. I’m not one hundred percent sure because I haven’t checked, but I think this is the first direct sequel in the Desktop Sports line. Up to four players can get in on the fun via local multiplayer, or you can play against the CPU in various modes. It’s an arcade-style affair with power-ups and mini-games, and I suppose it at least seems to have some modicum of thought put into it that helps it stand out against some other recent soccer games we’ve seen on the eShop.
This is a brick-breaker with three hundred levels to clear and a visual design that just screams Amiga to me. There are apparently different ships and upgrades to earn, but it’s by and large a fairly orthodox take on the genre.
A strategic turn-based game where players place triangles on the board and try to score as many points as possible. You can play against the computer or another human via local multiplayer. It seems interesting, but games like these really need to be put through their paces to show their ultimate worth. I’ll let you know if I end up finding it to be something special.
Well that’s just Qix with cats, isn’t it? But you know what? I approve. As you were, Animal Puzzle Cats.
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Not so big of a list as I expected, really. I suppose the Black Friday/Cyber Deals sales are coming next week in North America. For now, I will nudge at new low prices on games like Beacon Pines and XEL. Not too much in the outbox for the weekend, but check both of those lists anyway.
Select New Games on Sale
XEL ($11.39 from $18.99 until 11/24)
Woven ($1.99 from $19.99 until 11/28)
Phantom Breaker Omnia ($19.99 from $39.99 until 11/28)
Iconoclasts ($7.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Danmaku Unlimited 3 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Vampyr ($13.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Curse of the Dead Gods ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
In Other Waters ($4.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Citizen Sleeper ($14.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Framed Collection ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
The Stillness of the Wind ($2.07 from $12.99 until 12/1)
No Longer Home ($5.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Kraken Academy ($8.99 from $17.99 until 12/1)
Neo Cab ($3.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Think of the Children ($2.59 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Suzerain ($8.99 from $17.99 until 12/1)
Glitchhikers Spaces Between ($9.74 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Paradise Killer ($7.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Super Mutant Alien Assault ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Beacon Pines ($15.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Genesis Noir ($5.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Chasm ($5.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
The Bunker ($4.54 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Horizon Chase Turbo ($3.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Treasure Temples ($3.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
My Little Pony: Maretime Bay Adv. ($27.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
DC League of Super-Pets ($27.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Time Carnage ($4.54 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Hellmut: Badass from Hell ($5.99 from $29.99 until 12/1)
Sofiya & the Ancient Clan ($5.59 from $7.99 until 12/2)
Wife Quest ($5.59 from $7.99 until 12/2)
Book Quest ($4.89 from $6.99 until 12/2)
Freezer Pops ($6.99 from $9.99 until 12/2)
Pretty Girls Breakers ($4.19 from $6.99 until 12/2)
Divination ($3.49 from $4.99 until 12/2)
Moero Crystal H ($23.99 from $39.99 until 12/2)
Crisis Wing ($4.79 from $7.99 until 12/2)
Dark Quest 2 ($4.39 from $10.99 until 12/2)
Lonely Mountains: Downhill ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/5)
Indigo 7 Quest for Love ($5.99 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Golazo! 2 ($8.99 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Streets of Rogue ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/8)
Sword of Elpisia ($9.74 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Yodanji ($2.49 from $4.99 until 12/8)
Alphadia Genesis ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Alphadia Genesis 2 ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Revenant Saga ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/8)
Revenant Dogma ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/8)
Illusion of L’Phalcia ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/8)
Chronus Arc ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/8)
Legend of the Tetrarchs ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Ghost Sync ($9.74 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Sephirothic Stories ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Seek Hearts ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Everdark Tower ($2.49 from $4.99 until 12/8)
Archlion Saga ($2.49 from $4.99 until 12/8)
Miden Tower ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Sales Ending This Weekend
A Sketchbook About Her Sun ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Break Thru The Wall ($4.19 from $5.99 until 11/19)
Dark Minute: Kira’s Adventure ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/19)
Fire: Ungh’s Quest ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/19)
Harmony’s Odyssey ($10.49 from $14.99 until 11/19)
Last Threshold ($2.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Madorica Real Estate ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/19)
Magician’s Chase: Curry Recipe ($6.29 from $8.99 until 11/19)
Miner Warfare ($1.99 from $7.99 until 11/19)
MonsterFruitAcademy ($16.02 from $32.05 until 11/19)
Promesa ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Succubus with Guns ($7.99 from $9.99 until 11/19)
The Padre ($2.99 from $19.99 until 11/19)
Vampire: The Masquerade Bundle ($8.69 from $28.99 until 11/19)
Will Die Alone ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Hoplegs ($4.89 from $6.99 until 11/20)
Mermaid Story ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/20)
Rise: Race the Future ($8.24 from $16.49 until 11/20)
Sydney Hunter & Curse of the Mayan ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/20)
TaniNani ($3.49 from $4.99 until 11/20)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with more reviews, more new releases, more sales, some news, and… well, that’s all. Those are all the things we ever have in these articles. I don’t know where I was going with that ‘and’. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
New Releases
Pokemon Violet ($59.99)
Pokemon Scarlet ($59.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
The new Pokemon generation is upon us, and it seems as though it’s coming in real hot. Explore a whole new region, find new Pokemon, and do that usual thing we all enjoy doing in Pokemon games. I haven’t dug into this one yet, but from all accounts there are two things that can be said about it. First, in terms of the gameplay design, the consensus seems to be that it’s great. Second, in terms of its technical performance, it’s apparently very rough. I’ll likely be doing a review of this one, but it’s up to you how much those issues are going to mess with your enjoyment of everything else.
Oddworld: Soulstorm ($49.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
The latest Oddworld game makes it to Switch, more or less intact. It’s a reimagining of Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, but it is essentially a whole new game that touches on similar story beats. The puzzle-platforming gameplay follows pretty closely in line with Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, so if you enjoyed that game you may want to give this a closer look. I reviewed this a few days ago and found it to be decent if not necessarily a must-have. Oddworld fans should have a good time with it, at least.
Heidelberg 1693 ($14.99)
This is a 2D action-platformer where you play as a musketeer in a zombie-infested 17th century Germany. It’s kind of weird how when you imagine a musketeer, you imagine sword-wielding fellows. I mean, the gun is right in the name of the job. Muskets are kind of troublesome weapons, though. They fire once and take a while to reload. That’s something you’ll have to keep in mind as you play this, as your all-important ranged weapon can only be used every once in a while. I’ll have a review of this one soon.
Finding Paradise ($11.99)
That title doesn’t smack you in the face about it, but this is a follow-up to the indie hit To The Moon. Finding Paradise has a similar premise wherein some doctors are using their experimental treatment to allow someone on the verge of death to re-live their life inside their head and have a second chance at making things better. The patient this time is named Colin, and his wish seems to be self-contradicting at first. Reviews were glowing on other platforms, and I imagine it will make no less of an impact on Switch owners.
Slime’s Journey ($4.99)
A little Metroidvania-ish game featuring a heroic slime. Lots of those going around lately, it’s very heart-warming. There are four different locations to explore, and three different difficulty levels to play on. Very short, but for a fiver I’m sure you expect that.
Goodbye World ($11.99)
This game tells the story of two friends who have been making indie games together for a while to little success. One of them makes a decision which will change everything. The story is told around a twelve-stage puzzle platformer, which is certainly an interesting twist on the usual way of presenting a narrative. Or perhaps in some sense the most traditional way? Well, I’m not going to sort that out here.
Succubus With Guns ($9.99)
Sometimes a game’s title does half my job for me. In this third-person shooter, you play as a succubus. A succubus with guns. Battle the undead and other monsters, collect more guns, and try to get home. I wouldn’t expect the most sterling gameplay mechanics here, but you will certainly get a succubus with guns. So you can’t really complain.
Return to Shironagasu Island ($6.99)
Here’s a visual novel adventure where you play as a New York detective who is called to a mysterious island to investigate an even more mysterious situation. He goes there with a more mysterious still girl who has some special abilities. Can you discover the secret of the island and get out alive? Look, a three-headed monkey!
Pid ($19.99)
A kid is lost in space and needs to get home, using the forces of gravity and other skills to overcome the obstacles in his path. This puzzle-platformer first released back in 2012 on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. It was a bit middling at the time, with some interesting ideas and the occasional gorgeous vista contrasting with a certain coarseness to the gameplay. Ten years later, it’s not much better. I suppose if you’re a fan of the game who has always wanted a portable version, this is your day.
Desktop Soccer 2 ($8.00)
Another reminder that the World Cup fever is heating up. I’m not one hundred percent sure because I haven’t checked, but I think this is the first direct sequel in the Desktop Sports line. Up to four players can get in on the fun via local multiplayer, or you can play against the CPU in various modes. It’s an arcade-style affair with power-ups and mini-games, and I suppose it at least seems to have some modicum of thought put into it that helps it stand out against some other recent soccer games we’ve seen on the eShop.
Quantum Storm ($4.99)
This is a brick-breaker with three hundred levels to clear and a visual design that just screams Amiga to me. There are apparently different ships and upgrades to earn, but it’s by and large a fairly orthodox take on the genre.
Triangulate ($7.00)
A strategic turn-based game where players place triangles on the board and try to score as many points as possible. You can play against the computer or another human via local multiplayer. It seems interesting, but games like these really need to be put through their paces to show their ultimate worth. I’ll let you know if I end up finding it to be something special.
Animal Puzzle Cats ($4.99)
Well that’s just Qix with cats, isn’t it? But you know what? I approve. As you were, Animal Puzzle Cats.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Not so big of a list as I expected, really. I suppose the Black Friday/Cyber Deals sales are coming next week in North America. For now, I will nudge at new low prices on games like Beacon Pines and XEL. Not too much in the outbox for the weekend, but check both of those lists anyway.
Select New Games on Sale
XEL ($11.39 from $18.99 until 11/24)
Woven ($1.99 from $19.99 until 11/28)
Phantom Breaker Omnia ($19.99 from $39.99 until 11/28)
Iconoclasts ($7.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Danmaku Unlimited 3 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Vampyr ($13.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Curse of the Dead Gods ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
In Other Waters ($4.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Citizen Sleeper ($14.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Framed Collection ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
The Stillness of the Wind ($2.07 from $12.99 until 12/1)
No Longer Home ($5.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Kraken Academy ($8.99 from $17.99 until 12/1)
Neo Cab ($3.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Think of the Children ($2.59 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Suzerain ($8.99 from $17.99 until 12/1)
Glitchhikers Spaces Between ($9.74 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Paradise Killer ($7.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Super Mutant Alien Assault ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Beacon Pines ($15.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Genesis Noir ($5.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Chasm ($5.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
The Bunker ($4.54 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Horizon Chase Turbo ($3.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Treasure Temples ($3.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
My Little Pony: Maretime Bay Adv. ($27.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
DC League of Super-Pets ($27.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Time Carnage ($4.54 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Hellmut: Badass from Hell ($5.99 from $29.99 until 12/1)
Sofiya & the Ancient Clan ($5.59 from $7.99 until 12/2)
Wife Quest ($5.59 from $7.99 until 12/2)
Book Quest ($4.89 from $6.99 until 12/2)
Freezer Pops ($6.99 from $9.99 until 12/2)
Pretty Girls Breakers ($4.19 from $6.99 until 12/2)
Divination ($3.49 from $4.99 until 12/2)
Moero Crystal H ($23.99 from $39.99 until 12/2)
Crisis Wing ($4.79 from $7.99 until 12/2)
Dark Quest 2 ($4.39 from $10.99 until 12/2)
Lonely Mountains: Downhill ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/5)
Indigo 7 Quest for Love ($5.99 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Golazo! 2 ($8.99 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Streets of Rogue ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/8)
Sword of Elpisia ($9.74 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Yodanji ($2.49 from $4.99 until 12/8)
Alphadia Genesis ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Alphadia Genesis 2 ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Revenant Saga ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/8)
Revenant Dogma ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/8)
Illusion of L’Phalcia ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/8)
Chronus Arc ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/8)
Legend of the Tetrarchs ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Ghost Sync ($9.74 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Sephirothic Stories ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Seek Hearts ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Everdark Tower ($2.49 from $4.99 until 12/8)
Archlion Saga ($2.49 from $4.99 until 12/8)
Miden Tower ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Sales Ending This Weekend
A Sketchbook About Her Sun ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Break Thru The Wall ($4.19 from $5.99 until 11/19)
Dark Minute: Kira’s Adventure ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/19)
Fire: Ungh’s Quest ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/19)
Harmony’s Odyssey ($10.49 from $14.99 until 11/19)
Last Threshold ($2.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Madorica Real Estate ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/19)
Magician’s Chase: Curry Recipe ($6.29 from $8.99 until 11/19)
Miner Warfare ($1.99 from $7.99 until 11/19)
MonsterFruitAcademy ($16.02 from $32.05 until 11/19)
Promesa ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Succubus with Guns ($7.99 from $9.99 until 11/19)
The Padre ($2.99 from $19.99 until 11/19)
Vampire: The Masquerade Bundle ($8.69 from $28.99 until 11/19)
Will Die Alone ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Hoplegs ($4.89 from $6.99 until 11/20)
Mermaid Story ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/20)
Rise: Race the Future ($8.24 from $16.49 until 11/20)
Sydney Hunter & Curse of the Mayan ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/20)
TaniNani ($3.49 from $4.99 until 11/20)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with more reviews, more new releases, more sales, some news, and… well, that’s all. Those are all the things we ever have in these articles. I don’t know where I was going with that ‘and’. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!