Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for January 27th, 2023. In today’s article, we mop up the remaining releases of the week. There are quite a few, thanks to some slipping out after I went home last night. There are summaries of all of them, plus the lists of the newest sales and expiring discounts of the weekend. Let’s get working for the weekend!
New Releases
ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree ($14.99)
Here’s another game that exited Apple Arcade and is now making its way to other platforms. We really liked ATONE‘s unusual mix of adventure game and rhythm game when we reviewed the Apple Arcade version more than three years ago, so as long as this Switch port doesn’t introduce any issues it’s probably worth your consideration. The strong sense of style really catches the eye, but the puzzles and rhythm battles are what will keep you playing. I’ll have a review fairly soon to let you know how the game plays on our favorite hybrid handheld.
Dance of Death: Du Lac & Fey ($15.99)
This point-and-click style adventure game has an intriguing premise. Lancelot Du Lac and Morgana Le Fey have become immortal, the latter has been turned into a dog, and they solve crimes together in 19th century London. The case they’re taking on this time is naturally none other than stopping Jack the Ripper, and they’re assisted in this aim by a local resident. Reception for this one on other platforms is all over the map. Critics didn’t seem to care for it much despite enjoying the story, but Steam user reviews were considerably sunnier. I’d say that if the premise really speaks to you, then give it a shot. But it’s up to you in the end.
Beholder 3 ($19.99)
Another point-and-click adventure, this one the third game in a series that is at least popular enough to have a third game. You’re Frank, a guy living in a totalitarian state who has recently had a career change and is now a spy working undercover as a landlord. You have to break into the apartments of your tenants and search for anything illegal they might be up to. At the same time, you have to try to worm your way up the ladder in the ministry and try to gain power. It’s a treacherous political path you’re walking, and if you’re not careful you could lose everything. If you liked the first two, you’ll likely want to continue onto this one. I wouldn’t start here, though. If you want to play this series, you should definitely start with the first.
Roller Drama ($14.99)
From the people that brought us Football Drama comes Roller Drama, and it’s broadly a similar affair except for the swap in sports. That is to say, it is mainly a narrative choice-based adventure with some management aspects, even going so far as having you manage the actual matches the team plays in. If you enjoyed Football Drama, this is an easy game to recommend. If you didn’t like it, you probably won’t get into this one either. And if you didn’t play it at all and are interested in this because of roller sports, then as long as you come in with eyes wide open about this being primarily a story-based game, I say give it a shot.
Wonderland Nights: White Rabbit’s Diary ($6.99)
Well, that’s a striking art style. This game is obviously based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but instead of following Alice you are instead in the role of the white rabbit. The four nations of Wonderland meet up every year to break bread, and you’re in charge of the schedule. The problem is that there are numerous conflicts and issues between the various parties, and you have to do your best to avoid any messy clashes. Oh, and there’s a wild card in the mix as a strange girl named Alice appears to be poking around. Your choices will determine the very fate of Wonderland. No pressure. I’ll have a review of this one soon.
Match Ventures ($11.99)
Another one of Ocean Media’s matching puzzler games. Do some match-3 puzzles, upgrade the castle and earn new goodies for it, then do some more match-3 puzzles. As you play a story will slowly play out. At least it’s cheaper than Green Sauce’s stuff.
Jewel Match Solitaire Collector’s Edition ($14.99)
Ocean Media goes for another scoop with its Jewel Match Solitaire series. You get a bunch of different solitaire variants to play, some castles to build with the spoils of your victories, and several different card decks to choose from. That’s about all I have to say about this one. It’s solitaire. Do you need solitaire? Here is solitaire.
Farming life ($9.99)
In case you don’t feel like space farming this week, here’s a normal Earth farming game. It looks entirely unremarkable except for the fact that, in true Ultimate Games fashion, the UI seems designed for a mouse and the in-game font suited to a computer monitor, with few considerations for Switch users who might be playing in handheld mode. This is another one of those genres that is so competitive on this platform that I don’t know why anyone bothers putting out middling fare like this. There are so many better choices, and they don’t cost substantially more either.
Hyper Shapes ($4.99)
This is a game that you kind of have to see in motion to properly understand thanks to its minimalistic art style. You’re a dot battling bosses in various stages, and those bosses are also simple shapes. Your means of offense is a ball you can throw, but once you toss it you have to retrieve it to throw it again. All the while, the bosses will be doing their best to wipe you out. Not too bad for a fiver, in my opinion.
nOS new Operating System ($39.99)
This is an exceedingly overpriced novelty app, and you can tell because it is having a day one 95% off sale. You get a calculator, drawing app, day planner, a little puzzle to play, and a few other odds and ends. I’ll grant that at a price of two dollars you might amuse yourself enough to justify the price, but at forty only a fool would buy it. Are you a fool? I don’t think you are, but the power is yours.
Extreme Highway Racing: Real Speed Driver ($9.99)
A thoroughly bland racing game from Megame, a publisher that excels in making thoroughly bland games. I have to believe you can find something better to do with ten bucks than buying this.
Fear in Hospital: Escape Horror Story ($9.99)
A thoroughly bland first-person horror game from Megame, a publisher that excels in making thoroughly bland games. I have to believe you can yet again find something better to do with ten bucks than buying this.
Unblock the Brick: Casual Block Puzzle ($9.99)
A thoroughly bland block sliding puzzle game from Megame, a publisher that excels in making thoroughly bland games. I have to believe you can find yet another better thing to do with ten bucks than buying this.
Anime Girls: Camping Trip ($3.99)
Cooking & Publishing’s latest release is similar to almost all of its other ones. Answer some questions, then answer the same questions again without changing your answers. An absolute waste of four dollars.
Tales of Shinobi Fantasy Magic Anime World Fight RPG Simulator ($4.99)
Not content to drop just one load of trash onto the eShop this week, Midnight Works has another dung pile of a game to try to lure unsuspecting folks. Look at that title. Pure nonsense, as always. This publisher is one of the worst on the eShop, and that is really saying something.
Offroad Moto Bike ($3.99)
Pix Arts may have lost its crown as the worst publisher on the eShop, but it’s still out here doing its thing. In this one you have to drive your bike to the goal on each stage. A rather poor take on this idea, especially considering Trials Rising is regularly on sale for only a few dollars more. Don’t bother.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Let’s deal with that outbox first. Specifically, there isn’t much in there at all. Well, that was easy. Now, to the inbox. Football Manager 2023 Touch is at its lowest price yet, and that’s probably the main game I would highlight. Otherwise, it’s a fair bit of stuff that is often on sale with some decent games to pick from. Check through the list yourself and see what strikes your fancy.
Select New Games on Sale
Sail Forth ($17.39 from $19.99 until 2/2)
Freshly Frosted ($7.19 from $9.99 until 2/2)
Roundguard ($6.38 from $19.99 until 2/2)
Cozy Grove ($8.90 from $14.99 until 2/2)
Once Upon a Jester ($11.99 from $14.99 until 2/2)
Aka ($10.39 from $12.99 until 2/3)
I Saw Black Clouds ($7.79 from $12.99 until 2/3)
Don’t Knock Twice ($3.74 from $12.49 until 2/3)
Cyber Shadow ($15.99 from $19.99 until 2/3)
PopSlinger ($7.49 from $14.99 until 2/3)
Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/3)
Lost in Play ($11.99 from $19.99 until 2/3)
Football Manager 2023 Touch ($35.99 from $44.99 until 2/3)
Live by the Sword: Tactics ($4.99 from $24.99 until 2/7)
Tamashii ($1.99 from $11.99 until 2/9)
Dungeon and Puzzles ($3.49 from $9.99 until 2/9)
Tunnel of Doom ($6.99 from $13.99 until 2/9)
Omega Strike ($2.24 from $14.99 until 2/9)
Uncanny Valley ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/9)
Trifox ($13.99 from $19.99 until 2/9)
Severed Steel ($12.49 from $24.99 until 2/9)
Underhero ($4.24 from $16.99 until 2/9)
Tower of Time ($4.99 from $24.99 until 2/9)
Signs of the Sojourner ($6.99 from $19.99 until 2/9)
Bloody Rally Show ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/9)
H1.Jack ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/10)
Glo ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/10)
Hell Pages ($5.39 from $8.99 until 2/10)
Quintus & the Absent Truth ($5.99 from $9.99 until 2/10)
Many Faces ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/10)
Pity Pit (41.99 from $4.99 until 2/10)
Hatup ($3.49 from $4.99 until 2/10)
Vesper Zero Light Edition ($6.99 from $9.99 until 2/10)
Element ($3.59 from $11.99 until 2/13)
Headland ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/15)
Conduct Together ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/15)
Fly Together ($1.99 from $15.00 until 2/15)
Collapsed ($3.00 from $15.00 until 2/15)
Depth of Extinction ($3.59 from $14.99 until 2/15)
Green Hell ($2.49 from $24.99 until 2/16)
Monster Boy & Cursed Kingdom ($13.99 from $39.99 until 2/16)
Ultimate ADOM CoC ($7.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Thief Simulator ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Phantom Doctrine ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Pixboy ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/16)
Loud ($1.99 from $11.99 until 2/16)
XEL ($7.59 from $18.99 until 2/16)
A Juggler’s Tale ($7.19 from $17.99 until 2/16)
Sinless ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
Rise Eterna ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Train Station Renovation ($2.84 from $18.99 until 2/16)
Cooking Simulator ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Ultimate Fishing Simulator ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Aeolis Tournament ($2.24 from $14.99 until 2/16)
Agony ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Smashroom ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
Wax Museum ($2.49 from $4.99 until 2/16)
Hollow 2 ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Armed to the Gears ($2.39 from $11.99 until 2/16)
Danger Scavenger ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
SpyHack ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
Aery A Journey Beyond Time ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
A Long Way Down ($2.24 from $14.99 until 2/16)
Stitchy in Tooki Trouble ($2.59 from $12.99 until 2/16)
Virus: The Outbreak ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
Dino Galaxy Tennis ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
Barbero ($2.49 from $4.99 until 2/16)
Panzer Dragoon Remake ($2.49 from $24.99 until 2/16)
Neurodeck ($2.79 from $13.99 until 2/16)
Pawn of the Dead ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
Hot Shot Burn ($2.24 from $14.99 until 2/16)
Tennis Open 2020 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/16)
Orbital Bullet ($11.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Soulblight ($3.74 from $14.99 until 2/16)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Kao the Kangaroo ($17.99 from $29.99 until 1/28)
Fly Punch Boom! ($1.99 from $14.99 until 1/29)
Out of the Box ($4.49 from $14.99 until 1/29)
Super Treasure Arena ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/29)
Tied Together ($2.99 from $14.99 until 1/29)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with some reviews, a bunch of new releases, tons of new sales, and perhaps some news as well. I have another busy weekend of game-playing ahead of me to prepare for some reviews. I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
