Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for December 7th, 2020. In today’s article, we’ve got a few Mini-Views of some recent releases, summaries of the new games that hit the eShop over the weekend, and the usual lists of new and outgoing sales. A bit of a lighter bite today, but it really couldn’t be helped. Let’s get the week started!
Mini-Views
Sam & Max Save the World ($19.99)
There were two eras of Telltale during the company’s regrettably brief life. While I do appreciate the more dramatic, narrative-driven output of the company’s latter years, I have a soft spot for the more traditional Lucasarts-inspired fare of its early period. This superb remake of the first season of Telltale’s Sam & Max adventures is a good reminder of why. It’s funny, it has actual puzzles to solve, and there are plenty of strange and memorable characters to meet. The updated graphics look great and the UI is easy to navigate. Some changes have been made with regards to the voices of certain characters, but I’m assuming there wasn’t any other option there. It’s worth a replay for those who enjoyed the original, and if you’re new to the game you’ll have an excellent time.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Root Double -Before Crime * After Days- Xtend Edition ($45.99)
This is one of those games that just keeps on giving. Just when you think you’re done, you’ll find you have a lot more to play. The story is excellent and the localization handles itself well in conveying its twists and turns in as clear a way as possible. I really appreciate the Senses Sympathy System, which allows you to influence the course of the story in a unique way. While at first glance it seems like you’re just guessing, the system actually rewards those who are paying careful attention to the characters and the situations they’re in. It’s very engaging and helps draw you into the story even further, which in turn makes it easier to follow the extremely complex sequence of events taking place. If you like visual novels with lots of unexpected turns, you’ll likely get into Root Double.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Commandos 2 – HD Remaster ($29.99)
I’ve tried it in a few different ways in my life, and this latest attempt really cements something in my mind: Commandos 2 really doesn’t play well with a controller. The developers have made as good an attempt as you could expect with the UI here, but I just couldn’t get my head around it to the point where it felt good or natural. This is a game that often demands precision, and that’s something the controls in this port really can’t guarantee. Beyond that admittedly big issue, this is a solid remake of a very good game. I like the updated visuals, and the new tutorial at least takes a stab at easing you in. The loading times can be a little rough, but I feel like that happens often enough on the Switch that I’m not going to lay into Commandos 2 too harshly for it. If you’re patient with the controls there’s some fun to be had here, but you’ll have a much better time playing it on your computer if that’s an option for you.
SwitchArcade Score: 3/5
New Releases
Super Space Serpent Secondary Edition ($9.99)
This is a very plain twin-stick shooter with vector-style graphics that feels like a third-rate Geometry Wars. Battle enemies as you try to survive until the clock counts down on each stage, collecting power-ups when they appear and trying to rack up as big of a score as possible. This has been available on other platforms for a while now and it hasn’t really impressed anyone in those incarnations. I doubt this Switch version will change any minds on the matter. I can’t imagine anyone feeling good about spending a tenner on it, but I suppose if it falls far enough into the discount bin it might provide some entertainment for an hour or two.
Danger Gazers ($9.99)
Another top-down roguelite shooter, one that leans a bit in the direction of Nuclear Throne and its many progeny. A second player can join in via local multiplayer, and there are seven different heroes to choose from, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. This is normally where I would talk about the game’s unique gimmick that it uses to distinguish itself from the rest of the pack but, uh, this game doesn’t really have one. It’s not bad for what it is, but it’s not exactly what I would call essential. If you want more mashed potatoes, it is more mashed potatoes. I’m not going to be the one to tell you that you already have enough mashed potatoes and that maybe you should finish them first before piling more on your plate.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
A number of new sales rolled in over the weekend, many of which are the usual names we see at this time of the week. There are some discounts on a few new releases like John Wick Hex and Steampunk Tower 2, along with a couple of lesser-seen sales like Purrs in Heaven, Meganoid, and Marooners. The outbox has next to nothing we won’t see going back on sale within a couple of weeks, so you can probably keep your wallet in your pocket today where that’s concerned.
Select New Games on Sale
Deployment ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/10)
John Wick Hex ($13.99 from $19.99 until 12/11)
Truck Simulator ($7.19 from $11.99 until 12/11)
Coast Guard: Beach Rescue ($3.59 from $11.99 until 12/11)
Carnage: Battle Arena ($4.49 from $14.99 until 12/11)
Mech Rage ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/14)
Swordbreaker the Game ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/14)
Meganoid ($5.39 from $8.99 until 12/14)
Debtor ($1.99 from $2.99 until 12/14)
Breathing Fear ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/14)
Skull Rogue ($1.99 from $2.99 until 12/15)
Tactical Mind ($1.99 from $2.99 until 12/15)
FunBox Party ($1.99 from $2.49 until 12/15)
Switchy Road ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/20)
Windmill Kings ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/21)
Son of a Witch ($6.99 from $14.99 until 12/21)
Quest for the Golden Duck ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/21)
Rogue Bit ($2.99 from $4.99 until 12/21)
Death Tales ($5.99 from $9.99 until 12/23)
Paw Paw Paw ($7.99 from $9.99 until 12/25)
Fury Unleashed ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/25)
Steampunk Tower 2 ($6.99 from $9.99 until 12/25)
Splashy Cube ($3.99 from $4.99 until 12/25)
Food Truck Tycoon ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/25)
Darts Up ($2.00 from $2.99 until 12/26)
Abyss ($2.00 from $2.99 until 12/26)
99Seconds ($2.00 from $2.99 until 12/26)
99Moves ($2.00 from $2.99 until 12/26)
Rally Rock ‘N Racing ($2.99 from $9.99 until 12/26)
Horror Pinball Bundle ($2.06 from $8.99 until 12/26)
Touchdown Pinball ($2.01 from $2.99 until 12/26)
Purrs in Heaven ($2.02 from $6.99 until 12/26)
Power Racing Bundle ($3.39 from $16.99 until 12/26)
BallzOut ($2.00 from $2.50 until 12/26)
Rock ‘N Racing Bundle ($4.99 from $19.99 until 12/26)
Beat Me! ($9.09 from $12.99 until 12/26)
Omvorm ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/26)
Galactic Defence Squadron ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/26)
Crash Drive 2 ($1.99 from $8.99 until 12/26)
Marooners ($1.99 from $14.99 until 12/26)
Yes, Your Grace ($11.99 from $19.99 until 12/27)
Hamster Bob ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/28)
Robonauts ($1.99 from $3.99 until 12/28)
The Way Remastered ($1.99 from $14.99 until 12/28)
Jumping Joe & Friends ($1.99 from $2.49 until 12/28)
Enigmatis 2: TMoR ($2.09 from $14.99 until 12/28)
Grim Legends 2: SotDS ($2.09 from $14.99 until 12/28)
Unhatched ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/28)
VSR: Void Space Racing ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/28)
Earthworms ($1.99 from $7.99 until 12/28)
911 Operator ($2.99 from $14.99 until 12/28)
SkyScrappers ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/28)
Roarr! Jurassic ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/28)
Wondershot ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/28)
Not Not: A Brain Buster ($1.99 from $2.49 until 12/28)
Geki Yaba Runner ($1.99 from $2.99 until 12/28)
Astro Bears ($1.99 from $6.99 until 12/28)
Wreckin’ Ball Adventure ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/28)
Little Racer ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/28)
Space Cows ($1.99 from $7.99 until 12/28)
Golazo! ($3.99 from $14.99 until 12/28)
Puzzle Book ($1.99 from $3.99 until 12/28)
Shipped ($1.99 from $5.99 until 12/28)
Party Treats ($1.99 from $2.49 until 12/28)
Mars Power Industries ($1.99 from $3.99 until 12/28)
Tools Up! ($7.99 from $19.99 until 12/28)
BE-A Walker ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/28)
911 Operator Deluxe ($4.99 from $21.99 until 12/28)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 8th
Archaica: Path of Light ($4.49 from $14.99 until 12/8)
Atomic Heist ($1.99 from $7.99 until 12/8)
Dark Burial ($1.99 from $3.99 until 12/8)
Dead Dungeon ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/8)
Dungeon Solver ($1.99 from $3.99 until 12/8)
Event Horizon: Space Defense ($1.99 from $6.99 until 12/8)
Not Tonight: Take Back Control ($2.49 from $24.99 until 12/8)
One Person Story ($1.99 from $2.99 until 12/8)
Spirit Roots ($1.99 from $6.99 until 12/8)
Submerged ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/8)
Sweet Witches ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/8)
The Great Perhaps ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/8)
That’s all for today, friends. I’m not exactly sure what shape tomorrow’s article will take, as I will have to stop by the hospital for an undetermined amount of time. At the very least I’ll shoot for summaries of the day’s new releases and whatever sales pop up. Wish me luck in any case, friends. I’ll need it. I hope you all have a marvelous Monday, and as always, thanks for reading!
