Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for July 20th, 2020. It’s an odd one today, friends. First of all, there are no new releases on the schedule at the time of writing. I add that last qualifier because there is a Nintendo Direct Mini set for today that could possibly see something shadow-dropped, but I can’t say for sure because it hasn’t happened yet as I write this. Well, no matter. We do have a full review of CrossCode, along with a couple of Mini-Views for you to check out. There is also a very big list of new sales to check out, so we’re not hurting for things to spend on by any means. Let’s look into it!
News
Check Out Today’s Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase
Time zones have made a fool of me once more, friends. By the time you read this, the suddenly-announced Nintendo Direction Mini: Partner Showcase will probably be done and dusted, but at the time I’m writing this the 7 AM PT video is still about eight hours in the future. You likely know what was shown in the 10-minute-ish presentation featuring previously-announced games from Nintendo’s partners, and I probably do too. But Shaun of the past does not, thus he can only speculate. Bravely Default II? Bayonetta 3? Hollow Knight Silksong? We’ll catch up on it tomorrow, but if you can’t wait head on over to Nintendo’s YouTube channel and feast your eyes.
Reviews
CrossCode ($19.99)
How much of a great thing is too much? It’s a difficult question precisely because everyone’s answer will be a little different, but I can promise you that it’s one that will be on your mind in the back end of CrossCode. With an adventure that will take you anywhere from thirty to eighty hours depending on how much of the side content you choose to engage with, this is one of the longer action-RPGs I’ve played. It’s comparable in size to Ys VIII, and as was my experience with that game, I found myself getting a bit weary with it towards the finale.
CrossCode is an action-RPG that draws from classics like The Legend of Zelda and the Mana series, set in a faux-MMO world that it uses to the fullest extent. You’ll see characters yammering on about how the game was better before some aspect was nerfed, go on sub-quests that usually involve killing X amount of monsters to retrieve Y amount of a certain item, and enjoy plenty of well-written meta-commentary on the genre. But it’s not just about hanging a lampshade on MMO games and their players. There’s a real compelling story here to enjoy, one that pays off quite nicely.
Combat is fast and challenging, with bosses in particular feeling like devious puzzles you have to crack in order to win. This is a tough game if you don’t keep your gear and levels up to snuff, and even then you need quick reflexes and a good head on your shoulders to prevail at times. You’ll also have to use your wits to solve the puzzles you’ll find in the game’s dungeons, which having a pleasing Zelda-like feel to them. In terms of building your character, there’s lots of gear and multiple skill trees that allow you to customize your heroine as you see fit.
The world you’ll explore is huge and varied, with an impressive amount of detail in its lush 2D graphics. The soundtrack is also hefty and of great quality, and just going around the land seeing and hearing everything is a treat for the old-school senses. What is not as much of a treat is the general performance on the Switch. It’s completely tolerable in my opinion, but you’ll have to deal with the odd framerate drop and some general sluggishness in the menus. I also ran into a couple of crashes during my time with the game, but considering the general complexity of the game and the fact that I played it for more than seventy hours, I don’t think that’s terribly egregious. The developer has committed to patching the game to improve performance, so it should get better in some ways.
My time with CrossCode basically broke down into four phases. In the first, I was intrigued but also wanted things to get going a little quicker. In the second, I was having fun exploring all of the game’s wonderful nooks and crannies. By the third phase, I was absolutely hooked and couldn’t put the game down for very long. But then there was the fourth phase, where I thought maybe everything should be winding down soon. You know, taking the coats out of the closet and gently nudging towards the door while talking about what a great party it was. It took a bit too long for CrossCode to get the hint. That’s just me, though. I know many folks who would have liked if the game were twice as long.
I suppose what is most important to take away from this review is that CrossCode is really great, and also really long and dense with content. Perhaps too content-rich, depending on your tastes.The Switch version suffers from some mild performance issues but nothing that detracts significantly from the game. This is one of the better action-RPGs I’ve played in a very long time, and considering the size of the team that made it, that’s an incredible achievement. It’s equally astonishing that my biggest complaint with the game is that there’s simply too much of it for my liking. The soup gets just a little bit too thin towards the end, in my opinion, but as problems go that’s not a terrible one to have. CrossCode is a genuinely wonderful game, and I’m glad to have it on the go even with its minor flaws.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Mini-Views
void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium ($24.99)
There are a lot of interesting things in this game, but none of them involve the actual play mechanics much. You play as a little robot trying to take care of a vulnerable human in a post-apocalyptic world. You’ll get what she needs to survive by diving into fairly standard Mystery Dungeon-style mazes. As the game progresses, you’ll uncover the truth behind some of the more mysterious elements of the world, and how all of that connects to the human and the robot. It’s a compelling tale with surprisingly bland gameplay, making this best suited for big fans of Mystery Dungeon games or those who value a good story well enough to tolerate some less thrilling elements.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
REZ PLZ ($14.99)
REZ PLZ is really two different games. The first is a frustrating single-player game that initially might have you remembering classics like The Lost Vikings but soon makes you realize this is anything but. The other is a somewhat rough-around-the-edges co-op puzzle platformer that can be a fair bit of fun. If you enjoy the genre and have a friend willing to sit down with you and play through the game, you’ll find lots to like here. If you don’t have a reliable partner or just like to play games on your own, I can’t really recommend REZ PLZ in spite of its amusing premise. I’ll split the difference between the two experiences for the score.
SwitchArcade Score: 3/5
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Is it Capcom sale time again? It is! And unless I miss my guess, those are some new low prices on the Resident Evil games at the very least. We’ve also got our first discount on the rather underappreciated Shinsekai. WB Games and Activision are also running some sales on many of their titles including the LEGO games and Spyro Reignited Trilogy. Mix in a healthy dose of the usual weekend sales faces, and you’ve got a hefty list to consider. And yes, Burnout Paradise Remastered is there with its first sale, but trust me: it’ll go lower. There’s some decent stuff in the outbox as well, so be sure to take a careful look as usual.
Select New Games on Sale
Burnout Paradise Remastered ($39.99 from $49.99 until 7/23)
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/31)
Monster Hunter Generations Ult. ($19.99 from $49.99 until 7/31)
Okami HD ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Phoenix Wright: AA Trilogy ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/31)
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary ($14.79 from $39.99 until 7/31)
Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Mega Man Legacy Collection ($9.89 from $14.99 until 7/31)
Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Mega Man X Legacy Collection ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Mega Man Zero/ZX Collection ($22.49 from $29.99 until 7/31)
Mega Man 11 ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/31)
Shinsekai Into the Depths ($14.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Onimusha Warlords ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Devil May Cry ($11.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Devil May Cry 2 ($11.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Devil May Cry 3 SE ($14.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Resident Evil ($12.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Resident Evil 0 ($12.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Resident Evil 4 ($14.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Resident Evil 5 ($14.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Resident Evil 6 ($14.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Resident Evil Revelations ($7.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Resident Evil Revelations 2 ($7.99 from $19.99 until 7/31)
Madorica Real Estate ($9.80 from $14.99 until 7/27)
Vampire: Coteries of New York ($12.99 from $19.99 until 7/27)
Event Horizon ($0.99 from $5.99 until 7/27)
Breathing Fear ($1.99 from $4.99 until 7/27)
Swordbreaker the Game ($1.99 from $4.99 until 7/27)
Happy Animals Bowling ($2.49 from $4.99 until 7/31)
Half Dead ($3.49 from $6.99 until 7/31)
The Unholy Society ($6.66 from $9.99 until 7/31)
Escape from the Universe ($2.99 from $9.99 until 7/31)
LEGO City Undercover ($8.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
LEGO The Incredibles ($17.99 from $59.99 until 7/27)
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 ($8.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
LEGO DC Super-Villains ($14.99 from $59.99 until 7/27)
LEGO Harry Potter Collection ($12.49 from $49.99 until 7/27)
LEGO Jurassic World ($11.99 from $39.99 until 7/27)
LEGO Worlds ($8.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
LEGO Ninjago Movie Game ($12.49 from $49.99 until 7/27)
The LEGO Movie 2 Game ($11.99 from $39.99 until 7/27)
Scribblenauts: Showdown ($9.99 from $39.99 until 7/27)
Scribblenauts Mega Pack ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
Cars 3: Driven to Win ($9.99 from $39.99 until 7/27)
Super Ping Pong Trick Shot ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Dungeon Shooting ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Orbitblazers ($5.99 from $19.99 until 8/6)
Top Run ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Ping Pong Trick Shot Evolution ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
BINGO ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Rally Rock ‘N Racing ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/6)
Hero Express ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Battle & Crash ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Collide-a-Ball 2 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Cryogear ($12.92 from $19.89 until 8/6)
Tcheco in the Castle of Lucio ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Rainbows, Toilets & Unicorns ($3.49 from $6.99 until 8/6)
Animal Hunter Z ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/6)
Abyss ($0.98 from $2.99 until 8/6)
Coast Guard: Beach Rescue Team ($5.99 from $11.99 until 8/6)
99Seconds ($0.98 from $2.99 until 8/6)
99Moves ($0.98 from $2.99 until 8/6)
Caterpillar Royale ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/6)
Darts Up ($0.98 from $2.99 until 8/6)
Overwatch: Legendary ($19.99 from $39.99 until 8/1)
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy ($19.99 from $39.99 until 8/1)
Spyro Reignited Trilogy ($19.99 from $39.99 until 8/1)
Diablo III: Eternal Collection ($29.99 from $59.99 until 8/1)
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled ($23.99 from $59.99 until 8/1)
Sausage Sports Club ($3.75 from $15.00 until 7/26)
Path to Mnemosyne ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/2)
King Lucas ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/2)
Aborigenus ($1.24 from $4.99 until 7/28)
Pew Paw ($3.98 from $6.99 until 7/28)
Diabolic ($1.24 from $4.99 until 7/28)
Bridge Builder Adventure ($2.99 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Super Dungeon Tactics ($2.49 from $9.99 until 7/27)
Clue ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/24)
Battleship ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/25)
Divine Ascent ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/8)
Kiai Resonance ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/8)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 21st
99Vidas – Definitive ($0.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
AO Tennis 2 ($29.99 from $59.99 until 7/21)
Aqua Moto Racing Utopia ($7.99 from $39.99 until 7/21)
Assassin’s Creed III ($14.99 from $39.99 until 7/21)
Assassin’s Creed: Rebel Collection ($19.99 from $39.99 until 7/21)
Atomic Heist ($0.79 from $7.99 until 7/21)
Brick Breaker ($1.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
Bridge Strike ($3.98 from $6.99 until 7/21)
Classic Games Collection Vol.1 ($0.49 from $4.99 until 7/21)
Construction Machines Simulator ($20.64 from $29.49 until 7/21)
Croc’s World Run ($0.99 from $5.99 until 7/21)
Crocs World 2 ($0.99 from $5.99 until 7/21)
Debtor ($0.47 from $2.99 until 7/21)
Evoland Legendary ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/21)
Farm Expert 2018 ($20.99 from $29.99 until 7/21)
Farmer’s Dynasty ($19.99 from $39.99 until 7/21)
Funny Bunny Adventures ($0.74 from $4.99 until 7/21)
Hang The Kings ($0.49 from $0.99 until 7/21)
Heroki ($4.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
Hunting Simulator ($7.99 from $39.99 until 7/21)
Infinite – Beyond the Mind ($4.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
Kentucky Robo Chicken ($0.99 from $2.49 until 7/21)
Lust for Darkness: Dawn ($10.49 from $14.99 until 7/21)
Mad Age & This Guy ($0.49 from $4.99 until 7/21)
Mahjong ($1.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
Mutant Mudds Collection ($1.49 from $14.99 until 7/21)
Mystic Vale ($15.39 from $21.99 until 7/21)
Nicky: Home Alone Golf Ball ($0.49 from $0.99 until 7/21)
Northgard ($17.49 from $34.99 until 7/21)
Overpass ($27.49 from $54.99 until 7/21)
Premium Pool Arena ($2.39 from $11.99 until 7/21)
Preventive Strike ($0.49 from $1.99 until 7/21)
Saboteur II: Avenging Angel ($1.00 from $8.00 until 7/21)
Saboteur! ($1.00 from $8.00 until 7/21)
Snow Moto Racing Freedom ($7.99 from $39.99 until 7/21)
Soccer Slammers ($0.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
Solitaire ($1.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
Suicide Guy ($1.59 from $7.99 until 7/21)
Suicide Guy: Sleepin’ Deeply ($1.19 from $5.99 until 7/21)
Super Battle Cards ($1.19 from $5.99 until 7/21)
Tactical Mind 2 ($0.74 from $4.99 until 7/21)
Tennis World Tour ($5.99 from $29.99 until 7/21)
Tetraminos ($1.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
Them Bombs! ($9.79 from $13.99 until 7/21)
TT Isle of Man ($29.99 from $49.99 until 7/21)
TT Isle of Man 2 ($35.99 from $59.99 until 7/21)
UBERMOSH: OMEGA ($0.49 from $0.99 until 7/21)
V-Rally 4 ($9.99 from $49.99 until 7/21)
WRC 8 FIA Rally Championship ($14.99 from $49.99 until 7/21)
Xeodrifter ($0.99 from $9.99 until 7/21)
That’s all for today, friends. Tomorrow we’ll recap anything interesting from that Nintendo Direct, check out a couple of new releases, and of course also have a look at whatever other news and new sales come along. Perhaps a review, perhaps not. I hope you all have a magnificent Monday, and as always, thanks for reading!
