Critiques That includes ‘Natsu-Mon’ & ‘Cat Quest III’, Plus the Newest Releases and Gross sales – TouchArcade

Whats up light readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for August thirteenth, 2024. In the present day was an necessary vacation of types in Japan, and I additionally needed to go to the hospital for the standard causes. However, I nonetheless had time to carry you two critiques, protecting Cat Quest III and Natsu-Mon: Twentieth Century Summer season Child, in addition to appears to be like on the new releases of the day and the standard lists of recent and expiring gross sales. Reducing it very near the wire right here, thoughts you. Properly, let’s get to it earlier than my supper will get chilly!

Critiques & Mini-Views

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

Buddies, 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 season trip the place I used to be free to do no matter. Today are nicely up to now, and they aren’t coming again. Each on occasion, Kaz Ayabe provides me an opportunity to relive these days in a digital approach, and I at all times respect it. Whether or not it’s via 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 approach of evoking nostalgia for belongings you may not have even skilled to start with.

Natsu-Mon: Twentieth Century Summer season Child feels prefer it’s going all the way in which again to BokuNatsu, presenting a extra easy tackle a toddler’s summer season trip within the countryside. I imply, as easy as being the kid of a touring circus proprietor will be. You arrive within the city of Yomogi in the beginning of August and are instructed by your mother and father that you simply’ll be transferring alongside on the finish of the month. You’re free to do what you need to fill these days, with loads of actions, missions, and occasions on provide. Certainly, there may be 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 assume both of them are fallacious. The primary is to simply play via the sport as soon as, seeing no matter you may that occurs to catch your eye. That’s it. You progress on, and your expertise was your personal. The opposite kind is to play via time and again, looking for and do every part, squeezing the video games for every part they’ve to supply. In the event you’re the previous, remember that this recreation doesn’t take too lengthy for a single playthrough. Alter your expectations accordingly, and make your name based mostly on the value. In the event you’re the latter? You’ve obtained an terrible lot to see right here, and also you’ve obtained your work reduce out for you if you wish to take all of it in.

The setting this time is 1999, and we’re actually nicely away from any autobiographical overtures from Ayabe. However, 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 in fact, however there are quite a lot 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 could be very immersive in a approach that’s totally different from what we often consider when that phrase is introduced into play. You possibly can lose your self right here very simply, and the place actually does begin to really feel like residence by the top.

Those that are on the lookout for a ton of gameplay hours for his or her buck may discover Natsu-Mon somewhat lighter than they’re after. It’s actually the one warning I’ve to supply right here. In any other case, this is a superb instance of the form 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 season. 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 personal 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’re keen on Cat Quest and its sequel? Then you definately’re going to have a good time with Cat Quest III. This recreation follows the “secure sequel” strategy, not messing round with what works whereas including in some new components and throwing you into a complete new world and foremost quest. As soon as once more, you may get pleasure from it solo or pull in a buddy for some co-op motion, and in case you have the means I actually suggest that second possibility. 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.

Actually, 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 in fact, and when it comes to 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 basically charming and issues transfer alongside at velocity. It takes about fifteen hours to wrap the sport, which I believe is greater than appropriate for a recreation of this sort.

Cat Quest III is a very good action-RPG, and one you could simply play with a buddy or member of the family of any talent stage. Even going alone, you’ll have a improbable 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 appears like placing on a comfortable pair of sneakers. At the least at this level within the sequence, I believe that’s factor.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

Choose New Releases

Hidden By way of Time 2: Discovery ($10.99)

I suppose that is Hidden By way of Time 2-2? Undecided why they didn’t simply go for the quantity three right here, however no matter. It’s extra Hidden By way of Time! Hunt down the hidden objects within the varied scenes, or use the map editor to create your personal. You possibly can 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 soundtrack in your recreation, and this one actually has that. It appears to be like good, too. As for the gameplay, nicely… 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 anticipate. However that’s simply my take, in fact. You may get extra from it than I did. If nothing else, you may really feel the developer’s ardour for it, and that counts for lots.

Guayota ($14.99)

It is a puzzle-action recreation the place you’re exploring a dungeon for causes I’m certain are simply and necessary. Seems 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, nevertheless it appears to be like first rate.

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

Hey, some scorching offers on Atari video games immediately. Video games from corporations Atari owns as nicely, like Digital Eclipse and Night time Dive. You possibly can’t go fallacious with most of those, however Tempest 4000 at 4 bucks strikes me as a foolish whole lot specifically. The Turok Trilogy Bundle can also be an distinctive provide for these about Turok. Loads of different offers in there, so test that checklist. Not fairly a lot within the outbox, however give it a look too in your approach 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 Hearth ($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 Big: Damaged Excalibur ($13.39 from $19.99 till 8/26)
Aokana: 4 Rhythms Throughout Blue ($5.99 from $29.99 till 8/26)
Crimson 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 Occasion ($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 Strains ($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 title 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 Occasion ($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 Conflict, Arkano’90 ($2.24 from $14.99 till 8/14)
Tobari Dream Ocean ($10.49 from $14.99 till 8/14)
Touhou Shoujo Lovely Reminiscences ($20.99 from $29.99 till 8/14)
Touhou Sky Enviornment: Matsuri-Climax ($20.99 from $29.99 till 8/14)
Wingspan ($9.99 from $19.99 till 8/14)

That’s all for immediately, buddies. We’ll be again tomorrow with a few new releases, not less than one evaluate, some gross sales, and possibly somewhat information. The physician gave me the go-ahead immediately 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 wager on the affirmative. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as at all times, thanks for studying!