Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for May 24th, 2024. We’ve wrapped up another week, and that means we’ve got some new releases to check out and a list of new sales to dig into. But today we also have a little bit of news and a full-sized review from our pal Mikhail to round things out, so that’s nice. Plenty here to keep you entertained and bereft of spending money, to be sure. Let’s dive in and put this week to bed!
News
iam8bit, Geometric Interactive, and Annapurna Interactive Launch Physical Release of Cocoon with Vinyl Soundtrack
Cocoon, one of the best puzzle games in years, has finally gotten a physical release on Switch and PS5 for $29.99. A collector’s edition is also available on iam8bit for $74.99. All editions are here. If you’ve not gotten the game yet, read my review of it here. I’m going to try and get the vinyl and Switch physical release for sure. It is good to see Annapurna Interactive continue to do retail releases for its games, and I’m looking forward to buying one for Lorelei and the Laser Eyes in the near future hopefully. -Mikhail Madnani
Reviews & Mini-Views
Library of Ruina ($39.99)
“Can you believe Library of Ruina from 2021 is actually my game of the year for 2023?" is when I first heard of Library of Ruina from a friend who is yet to disappoint me with game recommendations. I bought it around that time, but didn’t play it much as I kept seeing people say you need to have played another game for it. Fast forward to today, Library of Ruina has been available for about a month on both PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, with two updates behind it.
It is a very very long game, and was in a rough state at launch. The two updates have fixed certain issues including the newest one which you can read about here, but Library of Ruina still needs some more updating before it can reach its full potential on Switch.
If you’re completely new to Library of Ruina and are wondering what makes it worth caring about, it is a superbly challenging blend of a card game and simulation experience with fantastic characters, music, and art. When I first played it, I must’ve spent about five hours just trying to understand all the mechanics because the game keeps throwing things at you. Spending time with it and replaying parts to understand things better helped, and I fell in love with Library of Ruina.
What I didn’t fall in love with was the Switch port’s UI and stability issues. The latter has been addressed to some degree with updates, but the text size is tiny and borderline unplayable in handheld mode. The lack of touchscreen support is even worse because I was hoping this would be the best portable version that I could play using touch.
I’m not going to bother trying to explain the Library of Ruina progression because I wanted to focus on the console version and how it compares to the Steam release that I also own. Library of Ruina is a very deep and complex game, but one that I never got annoyed by.
After replaying a lot of the game on Steam Deck, I learned that the Switch version was missing some scenes as well, and lacked the ability to use custom names in parts. I wasn’t sure if this was a Switch limitation or not, so I got a PS4 code to try out on PS5 from Arc System Works as well. The PS4 version on PS5 hasn’t crashed and it is a much smoother experience, but it will take a good amount of time to get used to the interface.
Without direct control over different elements through a cursor or touch, Library of Ruina has you using the shoulder buttons to switch between tabs. The interface works well once you get used to it, but I expected more for a port that arrived on PS4 and Switch a few years later.
If you’ve already played Library of Ruina on PC and are curious how the console version stacks up, the performance on Switch is nowhere as good as PC, but even the PC version doesn’t feel as optimized as it should be. The big differences are the new Japanese voiceover option which is incredible, full controller support, and the inclusion of the artbook and soundtrack within the game. You can access this from the main menu.
As a value proposition, Library of Ruina at $40 on console with the new voice option and the bonus content included is absolutely worth it on paper, but the port issues, especially on Switch are a big caveat.
I can usually look past many issues if I’m enjoying certain aspects of a game a lot, and I’ve been doing that while playing Library of Ruina, but it still needs to be fixed in some areas on Nintendo Switch for it to be an easy recommendation. It isn’t ideal on PS5 either, but that version is at least more stable and smoother with faster load times when played via backward compatibility.
Library of Ruina is an incredible, challenging, and long experience with fantastic characters and sublime music on Steam. The console versions have a lovely art and music gallery included with a superb new Japanese voiceover option, but the interface quirks and Switch-specific issues make it hard to recommend easily right now even after two patches. If you have a Steam Deck, play Library of Ruina with the trackpad on that for the current best portable experience. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Select New Releases
NecroBouncer ($13.99)
We have a lot of games like this already on Switch, but at least this one has a fresh premise. You’re a bouncer in an otherworldly club and need to see the rowdy patrons out. It’s a top-down twin-stick roguelite deal, and from what I’ve played of it I think it’s decent enough if not exactly the most innovative of affairs. I’ll have a full review soon, so keep your eyes open for that.
The Glass Staircase ($9.99)
Sure, let’s have another survival-horror game from the folks at PuppetCombo. People seem to like them. This one claims to be an homage to Italian zombie movies, and I’ll have to take their word on that. Some girls have been separated from their parents and are being kept in a creepy house. They also seem to be getting drugged on the regular. Why? Who? How? Answer these and other question words by taking a trip to The Glass Staircase.
TP Bullet ($4.99)
An interesting puzzle platformer with forty stages where you need to use a special bullet that allows you to teleport in order to clear each stage. Your supply of bullets is tightly limited, so make your shots count. A good little five-dollar game.
Tip Top Table Tennis ($19.99)
I’ll level with you: I don’t know enough about table tennis to say whether or not this game is a good take on it. But this does appear to be an earnest attempt at such a thing, so I’m including it here. It features support for up to four players via local multiplayer, and I believe you are required to use motion controls as it is marked as having handheld mode unsupported.
Tales From The Under-Realm: After Midnight ($11.99)
Another visual novel from Gamuzumi, this one following Hazel in the Tales From The Under-Realm series. The heroine of this game has started a new job as a guard, and must investigate a series of murders that occur after midnight. Make your choices and see what kind of ending you reach. As one does, when playing a visual novel. Well, do what you will.
In His Time ($5.99)
This is an adventure game where you play as a young boy named Olly whose father has passed away and mother is sick. Olly basically has to take care of himself and his mother, which would already be a lot for a kid his age. But things are made worse by the presence of a bully named Bobby, along with his henchmen. One day Olly, his friends, and the bully crew end up in a spooky mansion. Some of the kids make off with some important items, and Olly is tasked by the house’s owner to get them back. Can he do it? Will he resolve latent issues along the way? The answer to both questions is probably yes, but there’s only one way to know for sure.
Pixel Game Maker Series Moon Viewing Jump Rabbit ($4.99)
The titular rabbit has been given a dumpling to eat while he views the moon, so now he just needs to find a good spot to sit and eat it. That’s the premise, but the actual gameplay is just a lot of tricky platforming. The rabbit is cute though, and for some folks that may well be enough.
Sushi Race ($7.00)
Yep, it’s a racing game where all the cars are sushi. What are you going to do about it?
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Some good SEGA and Atlus sales in the mix today. Unicorn Overlord and Sonic Superstars have some solid discounts, and Persona 4 Golden for twelve bucks feels like an absurd value. The outbox has some ININ Games goodies and things from Limited Run Games in it, so make sure you check that out as well. The lists. Do that thing. That thing you do. Not the movie. The checking lists thing. That one.
Select New Sales
Unicorn Overlord ($44.99 from $59.99 until 5/30)
Demon Slayer KnY Hinokami Chronicles ($23.99 from $59.99 until 5/30)
Etrian Odyssey II HD ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/30)
Etrian Odyssey III HD ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/30)
Puyo Puyo Tetris ($4.99 from $19.99 until 5/30)
Puyo Puyo Champions ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/30)
SEGA AGES, Assorted ($2.39 from $7.99 until 5/30)
Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo Olympics ($23.99 from $59.99 until 5/30)
Team Sonic Racing ($14.99 from $29.99 until 5/30)
Sonic Superstars ($29.99 from $59.99 until 5/30)
Sonic Origins ($17.99 from $29.99 until 5/30)
Valkyria Chronicles ($4.99 from $19.99 until 5/30)
Valkyria Chronicles 4 ($5.99 from $29.99 until 5/30)
Persona 4 Golden ($11.99 from $19.99 until 5/30)
Persona 5 Royal ($29.99 from $59.99 until 5/30)
Persona 5 Tactica ($35.99 from $59.99 until 5/30)
Catherine Full Body ($9.99 from $49.99 until 5/30)
Lunar Lander Beyond ($23.99 from $29.99 until 5/30)
Fabled Lands ($9.19 from $22.99 until 5/31)
Two Point Campus ($9.99 from $39.99 until 5/31)
Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate ($8.74 from $12.49 until 5/31)
Warhammer 40k Dakka Squadron ($4.99 from $19.99 until 6/1)
Persha & the Magic Labyrinth ($3.69 from $9.99 until 6/3)
Yohane the Parhelion Numazu in Mirage ($26.99 from $29.99 until 6/3)
EA Sports FC 24 ($17.99 from $59.99 until 6/4)
Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, Assorted ($0.99 from $1.99 until 6/5)
OLLLO ($6.40 from $8.00 until 6/6)
SmileBASIC 4 ($9.99 from $24.99 until 6/6)
Matsukeke Burst ($3.75 from $4.69 until 6/6)
Claire: Extended Cut ($4.49 from $14.99 until 6/6)
Whitestone ($5.99 from $19.99 until 6/6)
The Battle for Hokkaido’s Delicious Foods ($3.59 from $8.99 until 6/6)
Rainbow Moon ($11.99 from $14.99 until 6/7)
Sunny Cafe ($11.99 from $14.99 until 6/7)
Crimson Spires ($5.99 form $19.99 until 6/7)
Bish Bash Bots ($14.99 from $19.99 until 6/7)
Greed: The Mad Scientist ($7.99 from $15.99 until 6/7)
Planet Cube: Edge ($5.99 from $14.99 until 6/7)
Regency Solitaire ($2.99 from $11.99 until 6/13)
Ginsha ($12.81 from $17.80 until 6/13)
Hero’s Hour ($12.05 from $17.99 until 6/13)
Planet of Lana ($15.99 from $19.99 until 6/13)
Sales Ending This Weekend
A Tale For Anna ($2.19 from $10.99 until 5/25)
Bubble Bobble 4 Friends ($13.99 from $39.99 until 5/25)
Corgi’s Travel ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/25)
Cotton 100% ($2.49 from $9.99 until 5/25)
Cotton Fantasy ($9.99 from $39.99 until 5/25)
Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade ($17.99 from $44.99 until 5/25)
Darius Cozmic Collection Console ($17.99 from $59.99 until 5/25)
Frogun ($8.99 from $14.99 until 5/25)
G-Darius HD ($11.99 from $29.99 until 5/25)
Harmony’s Odyssey ($2.99 from $14.99 until 5/25)
KARGAST ($2.99 from $9.99 until 5/25)
Panorama Cotton ($2.49 from $9.99 until 5/25)
Puzzle Bobble Everybubble ($27.99 from $39.99 until 5/25)
Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move 16-Bit ($5.99 from $7.99 until 5/25)
Ray’z Arcade Chronology ($34.99 from $49.99 until 5/25)
Return ($11.19 from $13.99 until 5/25)
Slime Rancher: Plortable ($9.99 from $24.99 until 5/25)
Space Invaders Invincible Collection ($17.99 from $59.99 until 5/25)
Taito Milestones ($11.99 from $39.99 until 5/25)
Taito Milestones 2 ($23.99 from $39.99 until 5/25)
The Ninja Saviors ($5.99 from $19.99 until 5/25)
Tractor Farming Simulator 3D ($1.99 from $6.99 until 5/25)
Umihara Kawase BaZooKa ($2.39 from $29.99 until 5/25)
Vision Soft Reset ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/25)
Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore ($14.99 from $19.99 until 5/26)
Beholder 2 ($5.09 from $14.99 until 5/26)
Distrust ($4.07 from $11.99 until 5/26)
Jurassic Park Classic Collection ($22.49 from $29.99 until 5/26)
Kao the Kangaroo Anniversary Edition ($14.79 from $36.99 until 5/26)
Kao the Kangaroo Well Good Bundle ($9.89 from $32.99 until 5/26)
Night Trap 25th Anniversary Edition ($11.24 from $14.99 until 5/26)
Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties ($14.99 from $19.99 until 5/26)
The Forest Quartet ($2.49 from $9.99 until 5/26)
The House in Fata Morgana ($29.99 from $39.99 until 5/26)
This Way Madness Lies ($7.49 from $9.99 until 5/26)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with more new releases, more sales, more reviews, and some news. This was quite the week, and I’m frankly exhausted. Good exhausted? Bad exhausted? I can’t decide. But I’m looking forward to getting some rest. I hope you all have an outstanding weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
