Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for April 25th, 2022. In today’s edition, we’ve got a handful of reviews for you to check out. Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars, Super Mega Zero, Blast Brigade vs. the Evil Legion of Dr. Cread, and 8 Ball Clash have been run through their paces and the final results are in. There are some new releases that hit over the weekend, and one or two of them look somewhat interesting. Finally, we’ve got the usual lists of new and expiring sales for you to consider. Let’s get going!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Neptunia x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars ($49.99)
Mechanically speaking, this is a very middling hack-and-slash action-RPG. That’s probably not a big surprise to anyone who has spent much time with either or both of the series that are mashing up here, as neither of them are generally beloved for their high-quality gameplay. Serviceable is the order of the day here, and I suppose it could be a lot worse than that. The combat is extremely shallow, and although the various characters help to keep things somewhat fresh, repetition sets in very quickly. If Ninja Wars had to get by solely on its gameplay, it would be a tough title to recommend.
It doesn’t need to get by on gameplay alone though, does it? Again following in the footsteps of both Neptunia and Senran Kagura, the characters and dialogue really help to spice things up and keep you engaged. It’s goofy and everything runs on the absolute thinnest of motivations, but it’s a crossover. It doesn’t need to be logically coherent and it doesn’t need to have a well-crafted plot. The girls from one game meet the girls from the other game in a weird fusion of their worlds, and chaos ensues.
Neptunia x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars doesn’t have much meat on the plate in most respects. There isn’t much depth to the action, and it’s over pretty quickly by the standards of Senran Kagura and especially Neptunia. The only area where it really goes beyond adequate is in the charming character interactions and amusing script. It would be nice if there was a little bit more here to enjoy, but I think for the fans of the brands, it’s enough. Those not already invested in either series will want to give this a pass, however.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Super Mega Zero ($9.99)
This precision platformer is a lot more creative than I initially gave it credit for. You play as Zero, and Zero can’t do a whole lot but move back and forth. If Zero rolls over another number, Zero will be able to take a number of actions equal to that. Jumping and dashing mainly, but there are other things to discover. At first it’s all about making use of your scarce actions to reach the goal on each stage, but you’ll soon find yourself having to dodge undesired numbers, thread some very narrow passages, and pull off daredevil feats to grab the extra Pi items. Every once in a while, the game turns into a shoot-em-up, complete with power-ups to collect. The level designs here are incredibly clever, and the game has a couple hundred of them to solve.
Super Mega Zero manages the difficult job of finding new depths to plumb in a sub-genre that has seen a lot of love over the years. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, another stage would come along and force me to come at things completely differently. The changing number gimmick combines with some truly inspired puzzle and platforming challenges to create a truly enjoyable, incredibly tricky action game. Throw in the extra collectible Pi items and speed runs, and you’ve got a game that will last you for a long while.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Blast Brigade vs. the Evil Legion of Dr. Cread ($19.99)
Not bad at all. This stylish Metroidvania-style run-and-gun has character to spare, with vibrant cartoony graphics and an amusing idiot action hero main character. You gain new abilities and upgrades at a good pace, and right when that well feels like it’s running dry, you’re given a couple of other characters with their own abilities to use. The boss battles are especially enjoyable, requiring you apply all of your available techniques in some seriously tense fights. You’ll barely come out of some them alive, which can be a bit of a problem due to how spaced out save points can be at times. The difficulty in Blast Brigade definitely leans towards the the more challenging side of the line, even if it’s not excessively tough. A zesty test.
Blast Brigade vs the Evil Legion of Dr. Cread does just about everything a Metroidvania-style game should, and that makes it very easy to recommend to fans of the genre. I don’t think it’s going to convince anyone who is tired of this sort of game, because apart from its sense of humor it’s not really doing anything unusual for the genre. But what it does, it does well. The graphics are good, the controls are solid, the pacing and progression is more or less where it should be, the boss battles are enjoyable, and the map designs are good. It’s always fun when something so well-made as this comes seemingly out of nowhere.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
8 Ball Clash ($3.99)
This is less of a billiards game and more a pack of billiards puzzles. You get one hundred stages, and there are different sets of rules you’ll run into as you go. Sometimes you’re on your own and need to sink all the balls. Sometimes you’re playing for points against the computer. It comes off like a poor man’s Side Pocket, and that is already a bit of a value meal on its own in modern times. As if to hammer the point home, it’s full of unnecessary boosts you can buy with the coins you earn, a three-star ranking system, and a really awkward UI that feels ill-suited for button controls. Throw in some bugs, and you’ve got a scratch.
SwitchArcade Score: 2/5
New Releases
Winkeltje: The Little Shop ($14.99)
Build and decorate your own fantasy shop, then open the doors for business and see how successful you’ll be. Manage your inventory, craft new items, buy low, sell high, and even do a little farming on the side. The needs of your customers will change with the seasons, and sometimes there are special events you’ll have to take into account. There isn’t a ton of depth to this one and it is very much focused on running the shop, but if that’s the kind of thing you’re looking for, here you go.
Shattered: Tale of the Forgotten King ($29.99)
Here’s a Dark Souls-inspired game with a really sharp look to it but a whole lot of rough edges to its gameplay mechanics. If you’re willing to overlook a few bugs and an overall lack of direction, you may find quite a bit to enjoy in this one. At the very least, its world design and lore are both well-constructed. It really feels like a place you want to explore, and that can go a long way for some people in terms of getting past flaws.
Instant Sports Plus ($24.99)
As near as I can tell, this is just Instant Sports Paradise under a new title and SKU. By the looks of it, you can grab this for free if you own Instant Sports Paradise, too. Anyway, you get fifteen different sporting events and minigames in here, and there is support for up to four players via local multiplayer. I wish I could find the reason for this to exist, but I guess some things will remain a mystery.
Rail Trail ($2.99)
Another probable template flip from Gametry. It’s a puzzle game where you have to swap tiles to create a path between your mine cart and the gold. Over one hundred levels. I personally feel it’s best not to support these low-effort affairs, but you do what you need to.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
While today’s list isn’t full of the every-other-week regulars, it is quite rich in the once-every-month-or-two bunch. Nothing super-new or exciting here as a result, but there are some good oldies like Pankapu, NeuroVoider, Wuppo, and Hyper Sentinel that are worth grabbing if you’re listless and looking for something to play. Nothing in the outbox particularly speaks to me, but I recommend giving both lists a scan to see if you feel differently.
Select New Games on Sale
Redeemer: Enhanced Edition ($3.74 from $14.99 until 4/29)
9 Monkeys of Shaolin ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/29)
Ash of Gods: Redemption ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/29)
Dungeon Rushers ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/30)
Alt-Frequencies ($2.79 from $7.99 until 4/30)
Accidental Queens Collection ($5.24 from $14.99 until 4/30)
Ghost of a Tale ($12.49 from $24.99 until 4/30)
PictoQuest ($4.49 from $9.99 until 4/30)
Knights of Pen & Paper 2 ($3.24 from $12.99 until 4/30)
Galaxy of Pen & Paper ($5.62 from $12.49 until 4/30)
Astrologaster ($5.49 from $9.99 until 4/30)
Children of Zodiarcs ($6.29 from $17.99 until 4/30)
Double Kick Heroes ($12.09 from $21.99 until 4/30)
Bury me, my Love ($1.99 from $4.99 until 4/30)
Super Rocket Shootout ($1.99 from $9.99 until 4/30)
Chroma Squad ($6.74 from $14.99 until 4/30)
Anarcute ($3.74 from $14.99 until 4/30)
Burly Men at Sea ($3.49 from $9.99 until 4/30)
A Normal Lost Phone ($2.09 from $5.99 until 4/30)
Another Lost Phone: Laura’s Story ($2.09 from $5.99 until 4/30)
Lost Phone Stories ($3.49 from $9.99 until 4/30)
Before I Forget ($5.59 from $7.99 until 4/30)
Shape of the World ($3.74 from $14.99 until 4/30)
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure ($11.99 from $19.99 until 4/30)
Out of Space Couch Edition ($4.49 from $9.99 until 4/30)
Piczle Cross Adventure ($4.49 from $9.99 until 4/30)
Momonga Pinball Adventures ($1.99 from $5.99 until 4/30)
The Next Penelope ($2.59 from $12.99 until 4/30)
Lethis: Path of Progress ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/30)
Splasher ($3.74 from $14.99 until 4/30)
Astria Ascending ($25.99 from $39.99 until 4/30)
NeuroVoider ($3.49 from $13.99 until 4/30)
ScourgeBringer ($9.34 from $16.99 until 4/30)
Dead in Vinland ($9.79 from $27.99 until 4/30)
Pankapu ($2.39 from $11.99 until 4/30)
Hover ($6.24 from $24.99 until 4/30)
Letters: A Written Adventure ($11.99 from $14.99 until 4/30)
Guild of Ascension ($11.89 from $16.99 until 4/30)
Dungeon of Naheulbeuk TAoC ($25.99 from $39.99 until 4/30)
Wuppo: Definitive Edition ($2.99 from $14.99 until 5/1)
Hyper Sentinel ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/1)
The Unholy Society ($2.99 from $9.99 until 5/2)
Escape from the Universe ($2.99 from $9.99 until 5/2)
Chex Quest HD ($2.99 from $4.99 until 5/8)
Unit 4 ($1.99 from $14.99 until 5/8)
Timothy & the Mysterious Forest ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/8)
Rimelands: Hammer of Thor ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/8)
Chop ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/8)
Death’s Hangover ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/8)
Pix the Cat ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/9)
Charge Kid ($1.99 from $2.49 until 5/13)
Dreamo ($4.49 from $14.99 until 5/13)
Tools Up! ($3.99 from $19.99 until 5/13)
Legends of Amberland ($7.99 from $19.99 until 5/13)
Driving World: Aspen ($5.99 from $11.99 until 5/13)
Brotherhood United ($1.99 from $8.99 until 5/13)
Emergency Driver Simulator ($6.99 from $13.99 until 5/13)
Monster Truck Arena ($6.99 from $13.99 until 5/13)
Hero-U Rogue to Redemption ($6.99 from $19.99 until 5/14)
Stranded Deep ($17.49 from $24.99 until 5/14)
Mind Maze ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
Blood Waves ($4.99 from $9.99 until 5/14)
GraviFire ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
North ($1.99 from $2.99 until 5/14)
Active Neurons ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
Active Neurons 2 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
Active Neurons 3 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
Dull Grey ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
A Winter’s Daydream ($2.99 from $5.99 until 5/14)
The Mooseman ($3.49 from $6.99 until 5/14)
Breeder Homegrown DC ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
7th Sector ($9.99 from $19.99 until 5/14)
Bitmaster ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
Arkan the Dog Adventurer ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/14)
Escape from Tethys ($4.99 from $9.99 until 5/14)
Rift Keeper ($4.99 from $9.99 until 5/14)
Drowning ($1.99 from $2.99 until 5/14)
Stellatum ($4.99 from $9.99 until 5/14)
Escape from Life Inc ($4.99 from $9.99 until 5/14)
The Tower of Beatrice ($2.99 from $5.99 until 5/14)
Towertale ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/14)
High Noon Revolver ($1.99 from $2.99 until 5/14)
Grand Guilds ($1.99 from $19.99 until 5/14)
Time Tenshi ($8.99 from $14.99 until 5/14)
Bargain Hunter ($7.49 from $12.49 until 5/14)
Gnome More War ($1.99 from $2.99 until 5/14)
Dyna Bomb ($1.99 from $3.99 until 5/15)
The Skylia Prophecy ($3.49 from $6.99 until 5/15)
Metaloid: Origin ($3.49 from $6.99 until 5/15)
Rusty Spout Rescue Adventure ($3.49 from $6.99 until 5/15)
Ghost Sweeper ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/15)
Touchdown Pinball ($1.99 from $3.00 until 5/15)
Speed Truck Racing ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/15)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 26th
Adventures of Pip ($4.99 from $9.99 until 4/26)
B.ARK ($4.99 from $9.99 until 4/26)
Battle Group 2 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 4/26)
Bounty Battle ($4.99 from $24.99 until 4/26)
Buildings Have Feelings Too! ($5.99 from $19.99 until 4/26)
Candle: The Power of the Flame ($3.99 from $19.99 until 4/26)
Circa Infinity Ultimate ($1.99 from $10.99 until 4/26)
Cloudpunk ($9.99 from $24.99 until 4/26)
Crimson Keep ($3.99 from $19.99 until 4/26)
Dragon Pinball ($2.00 from $2.99 until 4/26)
Dumpy & Bumpy ($3.74 from $4.99 until 4/26)
Foreclosed ($5.99 from $19.99 until 4/26)
Frontier Quest ($8.99 from $11.99 until 4/26)
Gem Wizards Tactics ($1.99 from $12.99 until 4/26)
HoPiKo ($1.99 from $9.99 until 4/26)
kuso ($2.99 from $4.99 until 4/26)
Little Bug ($1.99 from $12.99 until 4/26)
Logistics Simulator ($4.99 from $9.99 until 4/26)
LOVE ($1.99 from $2.99 until 4/26)
Love 3 ($7.49 from $9.99 until 4/26)
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes ($9.99 from $24.99 until 4/26)
Niche: Genetics Survival Game ($7.99 from $19.99 until 4/26)
OTTTD ($1.99 from $7.99 until 4/26)
Pinball FX3 Iron & Steel ($1.74 from $4.99 until 4/26)
PixARK ($9.99 from $39.99 until 4/26)
Planet Quiz Complete ($9.74 from $12.99 until 4/26)
Speedway Racing ($2.49 from $9.99 until 4/26)
Spirit of the North ($9.99 from $24.99 until 4/26)
Stranded Sails: EotCI ($7.49 from $24.99 until 4/26)
Super One More Jump ($1.99 from $7.00 until 4/26)
The Count Lucanor ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/26)
Titans Pinball ($2.00 from $2.99 until 4/26)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with more reviews, some new releases, the usual sales lists, and maybe some news. It’s already getting uncomfortably warm here in Japan, so I’ll be cozying up next to a fan while I try to play through all the recent and upcoming releases. April has been completely bananas for games, for whatever reason. Oh well, there are worse problems. I hope you all have a marvelous Monday, and as always, thanks for reading!
