Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for February 11th, 2021. In today’s article, we check out all of the latest games to hit the eShop. It’s actually a really solid bunch today, and I’d go so far as to say there’s only one game I’d consider less than average. There are also quite a few new sales to check out, following the recent pattern of discounts being more spread out over the course of the week. Let’s dive in!
New Releases
UnderMine ($19.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
The roguelike/lite genre has been so well-mined on Switch that it’s hard for any new game to add much to the conversation. And I suppose if I dig really deep, UnderMine is hoeing many of the same rows as games we’ve seen before. But there’s just something to its satisfying loop of mining, upgrading, and heading back into the dungeon that works really well. While it’s not going to be shoveling dirt onto the competition, UnderMine is a tightly-designed and well-polished experience that likely won’t gather much dust if you choose to add it to your collection. I’ll be reviewing this one soon, and I’ll try to bury my urge to overuse puns next time.
Aground ($14.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Okay, this game is absolutely bananas. If you like survival/crafting games like Minecraft or better still Terraria, you need to check this out. In some respects, I think it’s even better than Terraria. You start off the game on an island playing as one of the last human survivors. As for where you end up? Well, I’ll leave that to you to discover, but it’s quite the journey. Indeed, that sense of progression is one of the things that Aground does so well. Your beginnings could not be more humble but as you gather, craft, and explore you’ll move forward in a lot of interesting ways. It’s not quite as deep as the games I mentioned, but it has more of a narrative goal in mind so it kind of works out. Definitely give it a shot if you’re not completely sick of crafting games.
Little Nightmares II ($29.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
The sequel to Tarsier Studios’ surprise hit Little Nightmares, Little Nightmares II offers a similar blend of puzzle, platforming, and horror. While I don’t think this sequel is quite as good as the original, those looking for another dose of the intriguing, atmospheric mixture the first game offered up will not go home hungry here. A new playable character, Mono, takes the center stage this time, but Six is still around as a computer-controlled partner of sorts. As with the first the game can be downright aggravating at times, but the plot is extremely compelling and will probably having you tolerating all kinds of nonsense if you allow it to get its hooks into you.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV: Diplomacy and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle ($69.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
In recent years… well, decades really, Koei Tecmo has been largely famous for its Warriors/Musou games. But what really brought Koei to the dinner table back in the day was its utterly fantastic turn-based simulation games. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is its flagship effort in that category, and the latest version makes its way to the Switch in this jam-packed bundle. Take your chosen leader into a grand campaign of battle, diplomacy, and cunning as you try to dominate the map. I know some people who only play games from this series and sink hundreds of hours into each of them. Perhaps that will be the case for you should you take a chance on this game.
Escape First 2 ($4.99)
If you’re hankering for another room escape game on your Switch today, you may want to give this game a look. Escape First 2 is a follow-up to the first game that offers essentially the same sort of experience in a few new locations. One of them directly follows up the Psycho Circus from the first game, another is a torture chamber in a medieval dungeon, and the last puts you in a bathroom of an escape room factory. Well, that’s awfully meta. As with the first game this loses a lot of its punch without the VR feature of the PC version, but you might be okay with that given how cheap it is. Naturally, if you had a decent time with the first game you’ll be fine with this one as well.
Arcade Archives Thunder Cross ($7.99)
Hamster’s checking off another one of the Konami games included in the Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection with this individual release of the side-scrolling shoot-em-up Thunder Cross. It’s a decent game, but it’s phenomenally hard to recommend picking it up in this form over the Collection. Particularly given that said Collection sometimes goes on sale for a lower price than this separate release. Still, I suppose if you’re an Arcade Archives collector or have no interest in any of the other games in the Anniversary Collection for whatever reason, here you go.
The Flower Collectors ($19.99)
This is an adventure game with a detective story propping it up. A former police officer named Jorge is a witness to a murder, and he has to team up with a journalist named Melinda to find the culprit. Jorge is dealing with a lot of issues as a result of his troubled past, and much of the gameplay revolves around reconnaissance done from his balcony. Very similar to Hitchcock’s classic Rear Window, and almost assuredly a deliberate homage. I love this premise, but it just doesn’t come together the way I’d hoped it would. You don’t really have a lot of options in front of you, so you’re mostly shuffling around doing exactly what the game tells you to do. The story itself just isn’t strong enough to prop the whole experience up, and that’s a problem because it really seems to be relying on that aspect. It’s okay, but it feels like it could have been a lot more than just “okay".
Healer’s Quest ($14.99)
This is a parody of RPGs told from the perspective of a poor healer who has to deal with pretty much the worst party members ever. A plight probably familiar to anyone who has played the role of healer in an MMO, I’m sure. This game is really, really trying very hard to be funny and at least for me, it did not succeed. As for the gameplay, it feels more like an idle tapper than anything else. There are skill trees and a few other RPG elements but it gets incredibly dull and repetitive very quickly indeed. Perhaps that is some further commentary on the life of an RPG healer, but it sure isn’t very fun. If you really want to try this out, you can find it on mobile app stores for a fraction of the price. I can’t recommend it in any way, shape, or form for fifteen bucks, however.
Negative: The Way of Shinobi ($4.99)
Hey, neat art style. This cool-looking platformer seems to be very ambitious considering its modest standpoint, and I’m not sure if it’s going to be able to achieve its aims or not. The idea here is that you’re making your way through the story of a ninja prodigy who is trying to repel an invading force. You’ll need to use a mix of ninja skills, stealthy maneuvers, and some good old-fashioned direct attacking to make your way through this narrative-heavy experience. For the price I’d almost want to recommend it based on its premise and fascinating visual style alone, but I really can’t make a clear decision on the gameplay from the little I’ve tried.
Summer Catchers ($11.99)
Summer Catchers is a really nice auto-runner of sorts where you’re going on a wild road trip adventure. It mixes in elements of racing, rhythm, puzzle, and even narrative choice into the works to create a rather chill little game. While it has a lot of the usual bits like leveling up and using special abilities, there’s a story that unfurls here as you play that helps drive you forward. That said, this game was definitely designed around mobile touch controls and as such it plays very well on those platforms. It’s also one-sixth of the price on mobile. So yes, as long as you don’t mind playing on your phone or tablet, I’d recommend hitting this game up there. If that option isn’t available to you? Well, it’s a good game either way. One to grab on sale, at the very least.
Tri6: Infinite ($7.99)
You know, for an eight dollar game this doesn’t look too bad at all. It’s an endless racer of sorts where you need to navigate around procedurally-generated obstacles that get more challenging with each lap. The idea is to last as long as you can before you hit the proverbial wall. You can collect a currency scattered around the track and use it to unlock some new vehicles and power-ups. Rather interestingly, you can play this game in four-player splitscreen local multiplayer. I could see that making a rather played-out concept a lot more fun, especially when the power-ups come into the race.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
There are a few things immediately worth noting in today’s new sales. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory has its first discount, and it’s a pretty big one. It’s a great rhythm game, especially if you like Kingdom Hearts. Mega Dimension Neptunia VII is also significantly discounted for what I believe is the first time since its release, and it’s a decent enough RPG to consider if you love the genre. The Kingdom Rush series is on sale, and many of the titles from Arc System Works are also enjoying some low prices. As for the outbox, there’s not a whole lot that needs immediate attention. You can pick up some cheap Mega Man games if you like, though.
Select New Games on Sale
Buried Stars ($39.99 from $49.99 until 2/16)
Space Crew ($11.99 from $19.99 until 2/21)
Art Sqool ($5.99 from $9.99 until 2/22)
Brawl Chess ($5.99 from $9.99 until 2/22)
Soulslayer ($5.49 from $9.99 until 2/23)
CrunchTime ($1.99 from $3.99 until 2/23)
Gaokao.Love.100Days ($6.99 from $11.99 until 2/23)
Lily of the Hollow: Resurrection ($5.59 from $6.99 until 2/23)
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory ($40.19 from $59.99 until 2/24)
Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force ($14.99 from $29.99 until 2/24)
Mary Skelter 2 ($15.99 from $39.99 until 2/24)
Moero Chronicle Hyper ($7.99 from $19.99 until 2/24)
Super Neptunia RPG ($19.99 from $39.99 until 2/24)
Mega Dimension Neptunia VII ($14.99 from $29.99 until 2/24)
Arc of Alchemist ($11.99 from $39.99 until 2/24)
Active Neurons 3: WotW ($3.99 from $4.99 until 2/24)
Nordlicht ($2.79 from $3.99 until 2/24)
9 Monkeys of Shaolin ($17.99 from $29.99 until 2/24)
Kingdom Rush ($6.99 from $9.99 until 2/24)
Kingdom Rush Frontiers ($6.99 from $9.99 until 2/24)
Kingdom Rush Origins ($10.49 from $14.99 until 2/24)
Windbound ($17.99 from $29.99 until 2/24)
Ash of Gods: Redemption ($11.99 from $29.99 until 2/24)
Redeemer Enhanced ($8.99 from $29.99 until 2/24)
Overcooked Special ($4.99 from $19.99 until 2/24)
Overcooked! 2 ($12.49 from $24.99 until 2/24)
Kona ($4.99 from $19.99 until 2/24)
Hexologic ($2.00 from $2.99 until 2/24)
Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Bundle ($20.00 from $39.99 until 2/25)
Double Dragon 4 ($3.50 from $6.99 until 2/25)
Double Dragon ($3.50 from $4.99 until 2/25)
Double Dragon 2: The Revenge ($3.50 from $4.99 until 2/25)
Double Dragon 3: Sacred Stones ($3.50 from $4.99 until 2/25)
Renegade ($3.50 from $4.99 until 2/25)
Super Dodge Ball ($3.50 from $4.99 until 2/25)
River City Ransom ($3.50 from $4.99 until 2/25)
Crash’n the Boys ($3.50 from $4.99 until 2/25)
River City Melee Mach!! ($4.80 from $13.99 until 2/25)
Stay Cool, Kobayashi-San! ($5.60 from $13.99 until 2/25)
Guilty Gear ($6.90 from $9.99 until 2/25)
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R ($9.80 from $14.99 until 2/25)
Blazblue Cross Tag Battle ($5.00 from $19.99 until 2/25)
Blazblue CentralFiction Special ($19.50 from $49.99 until 2/25)
Kill la Kill -IF ($10.00 from $19.99 until 2/25)
Code Shifter ($4.50 from $14.99 until 2/25)
Worldend Syndrome ($16.00 from $39.99 until 2/25)
The Missing: J.J. Macfield ($10.20 from $29.99 until 2/25)
Alternate Jake Hunter: Daedalus ($4.80 from $39.99 until 2/25)
Damascus Gear Operation Osaka ($2.40 from $19.99 until 2/25)
Family Tennis SP ($4.20 from $6.99 until 2/25)
Mononoke Slashdown ($4.20 from $6.99 until 2/25)
The Outer Worlds ($29.99 from $59.99 until 3/1)
Choices That Matter: ATSWO ($4.79 from $5.99 until 3/2)
Choices That Matter: ATSWE ($4.79 from $5.99 until 3/2)
Dark Quest 2 ($5.49 from $10.99 until 3/2)
Story of a Gladiator ($5.49 from $10.99 until 3/2)
Yoga Master ($19.99 from $24.99 until 3/2)
#SinucaAttack ($3.99 from $4.99 until 3/3)
Dotori ($9.59 from $11.99 until 3/3)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, February 12th
Akane ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/12)
Akuto: Showdown ($1.99 from $7.99 until 2/12)
Balancelot ($6.39 from $7.99 until 2/12)
Coffee Crisis ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/12)
Colorful Colore ($2.39 from $2.99 until 2/12)
Deadly Days ($4.74 from $16.99 until 2/12)
Dragon Pinball ($2.00 from $2.99 until 2/12)
Gal*Gun Returns ($44.99 from $49.99 until 2/12)
Geki Yaba Runner ($1.99 from $2.99 until 2/12)
Jumping Joe & Friends ($1.99 from $2.49 until 2/12)
Leisure Suit Larry: WDDD ($7.99 from $39.99 until 2/12)
Mega Man 11 ($14.99 from $29.99 until 2/12)
Mega Man Legacy Collection ($9.99 from $14.99 until 2/12)
Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/12)
Mega Man X Legacy Collection ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/12)
Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/12)
Mega Man Zero/ZX Collection ($19.79 from $29.99 until 2/12)
Not Not: Brain Buster ($1.99 from $2.49 until 2/12)
OctaFight ($4.19 from $5.99 until 2/12)
One Strike ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/12)
Party Treats ($1.99 from $2.49 until 2/12)
Robonauts ($1.99 from $3.99 until 2/12)
Shiftlings: Enhanced ($10.50 from $15.00 until 2/12)
Shipped ($1.99 from $5.99 until 2/12)
Speedway Racing ($3.99 from $9.99 until 2/12)
Super Club Tennis ($8.99 from $29.99 until 2/12)
Timothy & Mysterious Forest ($4.99 from $7.99 until 2/12)
Titans Pinball ($2.00 from $2.99 until 2/12)
Treadnauts ($5.09 from $14.99 until 2/12)
Warplanes: WW1 Sky Aces ($7.49 from $9.99 until 2/12)
Wondershot ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/12)
Wreckin Ball Adventure ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/12)
That’s all for today, friends. Tomorrow is going to be a bigger day of releases thanks to the arrival of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, and we’ll have summaries of all of the games coming along with it. There should also be a substantial list of new sales to look at. I have to go to the hospital again tomorrow morning, but it’s just to meet a couple of specialists. There should be time to get everything together for you all after I get back. I hope you all have a great Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!
