‘Arranger’, ‘Tokyo Xanadu eX +’, Plus Today’s Other New Releases – TouchArcade
Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for July 25th, 2024. It’s Thursday, and that means we have a whole bunch of new games to look at. Arranger! Tokyo Xanadu eX +! Spark the Electric Jester 3! And so many more! We’ll summarize all the new games worth summarizing, then head into the usual lists of new and expiring sales for the day. That seems good enough for a Thursday, I’d say. Let’s get to those new games!
Select New Releases
Arranger ($19.99)
As seen in Mikhail’s recent review of the mobile version, this Nintendo Switch port of the charming grid-based puzzle adventure carries itself quite well indeed. You get good performance, support for touch controls, and pretty much everything you need to enjoy the game on the go. And quite the game it is! When you move your character a step, the rest of the world moves with her. You have to take advantage of this to handle the many hazards and puzzles you’ll come across. Puzzle fans will want to give this a closer look.
Tokyo Xanadu eX + ($49.99)
The Vita revival of Falcom’s classic brand makes its way to the Switch with the enhancements seen in the PlayStation 4 version. It’s an action-RPG that has a bit of that Ys feeling to it, but thematically feels a little bit like it’s tugging on Persona‘s sleeve. While it isn’t the best of Falcom’s games, it’s good enough that action-RPG fans should enjoy their time with it. I’ll be doing a review of this one soon, so do look forward to that.
Spark the Electric Jester 3 ($24.99)
As much as I love SEGA, I think waiting around for Sonic Team to create a new 3D Sonic game that lives up to what the fans want is probably not a wise choice. Why not instead have a go with Spark the Electric Jester 3, a surprisingly high-quality 3D platformer that is clearly inspired by the Adventures of the world’s most famous hedgehog? It has lots of rail-grinding, running and jumping, battling enemies, and so on. I haven’t had a chance to try the Switch version yet, but as long as the port isn’t botched then this is a definite winner for platforming fans.
Some Some Convenience Store ($24.99)
Snake, do you think love can bloom on the convenience store battlefield? Part visual novel, part shop management sim, Some Some Convenience Store stars a hapless part-timer who downloads a mysterious app on his phone and is suddenly confronted by three beautiful women. I’m not sure why a part-timer is managing the shop’s finances, but you’ll have to do that too. The money you earn can be used to buy presents for the ladies, and that will help you with your ultimate goal of smooching them.
Astoria: Fate’s Kiss ($29.99)
Another Voltage visual novel, with an assortment of hunks to woo and smooch. The gimmick in this one is that all of the eligible gentlemen in question are gods and monsters living in the modern human world. Your character works at an agency that handles the affairs of such beings, and when you’re asked one day for help you end up being pulled into their strange world.
Hollow Cocoon ($12.99)
A university student living in the city travels to a small town in the mountains after hearing his estranged grandmother who lives there is in critical condition. With mixed feelings, Minato rides the bus along the country roads towards his hometown when suddenly the sky turns red. What is going on? Where is everyone? In pursuit of answers, Minato will discover truths that may have been better left buried in this atmospheric horror adventure.
Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow ($19.99)
A puzzle-platformer about a boy named Griffin who is trapped in a bizarre world with only his teddy bear Birly to help him. He’ll have to face his fears if he wants to get back home, and you’ll have to learn how to use that teddy bear to solve the puzzles you come across. Reviews for this were all over the board when it came out on other platforms a while back, and I imagine the Switch version isn’t going to be much different in that regard. I’d recommend reading up on some of them and seeing what was said. The controls in particular are kind of quirky, but the game certainly has its moments.
Arcade Archives VS. The Adventure of Valkyrie: The Legend of the Key of Time ($7.99)
Another of the VS System games joins Arcade Archives, this time the Japan-only The Adventure of Valkyrie Famicom release. This arcade version is basically the same as the console original, but adds in some enemies that will kill you if you take too long to do what you have to. For this release, Hamster has added a helpful guide via the in-game manual to assist you with navigating some of the opaque and/or linguistically inaccessible aspects of the game. An odd selection, to be sure.
Mists of Noyah ($9.99)
This strikes me as a bit of a cross between side-scrolling action, base defense, and survival. By day you go out and gather resources that you’ll use to fortify your home. That’s necessary because at night you’ll face attacks from all manner of creatures. I’ll be doing a review of this one, as it looks somewhat interesting.
Abathor ($14.99)
A multiplayer side-scrolling action game for up to four players, Abathor certainly has the whiff of Taito’s Rastan about it. Battle monsters as you make your way through more than fifty tricky stages. Battle bosses, avoid traps, and try to ignore the eShop description’s invocation of genre labels that have absolutely nothing to do with this more or less straightforward arcade-style action affair.
Harvest Days ($19.99)
Yes, that’s a farming sim alright. You get a little open world to explore, vehicles to ride, a bunch of crops to grow, and a bunch of other small activities to keep you entertained. This hasn’t had the sunniest of receptions over on Steam, so I suppose we’ll have to see if it goes over better with the agriculture-loving Switch crowd.
Seven Nights Ghost ($11.99)
What an unusual one this is. You’re forced to spend seven days in a room with a ghost. She will not kill you, but she will mess around with you. Stealing your donuts, hiding your stuff, and so on. Like an annoying roommate, basically. She might attack you in non-fatal ways, and you might need to keep away from her. Other times, she might want to have a heart-to-heart talk with you. I can’t say I’ve played an adventure game quite like this before.
Pair Horror ($12.00)
Another SAT-BOX mini-game collection, this time themed around a haunted mansion and capped at two players. But you can play online, so that’s something. Twenty different mini-games, and I expect it’s to the usual level of quality for this publisher.
Tactical Bandits ($11.99)
A top-down action game where you’re shooting and scavenging your way through a zombie apocalypse. The publisher’s name is Make Good Games, and I’m sure they wouldn’t just go and lie about that sort of thing. Maybe not sure enough to drop twelve bucks on this sight-unseen, but relatively sure! It looks decent enough in videos, but I haven’t had a chance to play it yet so that’s about all I can say.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Not much to say about the new sales today, I’m afraid. Some well-liked games in there, but nothing I can personally go on about. The outbox, though? Tons of great Square Enix games to grab at astoundingly good prices. All that plus Sakuna, Alwa’s Awakening, Cathedral, and many other enjoyable titles. Have a careful look through the lists and see what strikes your fancy.
Select New Sales
Bear and Breakfast ($12.99 from $19.99 until 7/30)
A Tiny Sticker Tale ($6.99 from $9.99 until 8/2)
Squish ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Iris.Fall ($8.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
Good Pizza, Great Pizza ($4.49 from $9.99 until 8/3)
Guts ‘N Goals ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Hoa ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Bladed Fury ($8.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
#DRIVE ($5.84 from $12.99 until 8/3)
Ikai ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Krimson ($7.99 from $9.99 until 8/3)
Alchemic Cutie ($8.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
Blade Assault ($8.09 from $17.99 until 8/3)
Ever Forward ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Goodbye World ($9.59 from $11.99 until 8/3)
MUSYNX ($13.49 from $29.99 until 8/3)
SUPERBEAT: XONiC ($13.49 from $29.99 until 8/3)
Squabble ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/13)
Thea: The Awakening ($5.39 from $17.99 until 8/14)
Steamburg ($1.99 from $4.99 until 8/14)
Broken Lines ($3.49 from $24.99 until 8/14)
STAB STAB STAB ($2.99 from $9.99 until 8/14)
Tilt Pack ($2.09 from $14.99 until 8/14)
Immortal Planet ($4.49 from $14.99 until 8/14)
Tetsumo Party ($1.99 from $4.99 until 8/14)
Alchemist Adventure ($2.79 from $19.99 until 8/14)
Retro Machina ($2.79 from $19.99 until 8/14)
Time Of War, Arkano’90 ($2.24 from $14.99 until 8/14)
Pan’orama ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/14)
Die for Valhalla! ($3.59 from $11.99 until 8/14)
Onirike ($2.24 from $14.99 until 8/14)
Wingspan ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/14)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, July 26th
A Void Hope ($12.79 from $15.99 until 7/26)
Actraiser Renaissance ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Akiba’s Trip: Undead & Undressed DC ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Alwa’s Awakening ($4.99 from $9.99 until 7/26)
Alwa’s Awakening + Legacy ($10.99 from $21.99 until 7/26)
Alwa’s Legacy ($8.99 from $17.99 until 7/26)
Another World Mahjong Girl ($5.99 from $9.99 until 7/26)
Cathedral ($7.49 from $14.99 until 7/26)
Chocobo GP ($19.99 from $49.99 until 7/26)
Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon ($15.99 from $39.99 until 7/26)
Chrono Cross Radical Dreamers ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/26)
Collection of Mana ($15.99 from $39.99 until 7/26)
Collection of SaGa FFL ($9.99 From $19.99 until 7/26)
Corpse Party ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/26)
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion ($24.99 from $49.99 until 7/26)
Dragon Quest ($2.99 from $4.99 until 7/26)
Dragon Quest II ($3.89 from $6.49 until 7/26)
Dragon Quest III ($7.49 from $12.49 until 7/26)
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince ($41.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
Dragon Quest Treasures ($29.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
Dungeon Encounters ($11.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Electronics Puzzle Lab ($3.49 from $4.99 until 7/26)
Fate/EXTELLA The Umbral Star ($19.99 from $39.99 until 7/26)
Fear Effect Sedna ($1.99 from $19.99 until 7/26)
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles ($11.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Final Fantasy IX ($8.39 from $20.99 until 7/26)
Final Fantasy VII ($6.39 from $15.99 until 7/26)
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered ($7.99 from $19.99 until 7/26)
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster ($19.99 from $49.99 until 7/26)
Final Fantasy XII TZA ($19.99 from $49.99 until 7/26)
Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition ($11.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams ($4.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Harvestella ($29.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
Infinity Strash Dragon Quest ($35.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
Kraino Origins ($5.99 from $11.99 until 7/26)
Legend of Mana ($11.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Life is Strange 2 ($15.99 from $31.99 until 7/26)
Life is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection ($19.99 from $39.99 until 7/26)
Life is Strange: True Colors ($17.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
Little Goody Two Shoes ($13.99 from $19.99 until 7/26)
Master Maker 3D Ultimate ($2.99 from $4.99 until 7/26)
My Incubi Harem ($3.49 from $4.99 until 7/26)
NEO The World Ends With You ($23.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
NieR: Automata The End of YoRHa Edition ($23.99 from $39.99 until 7/26)
Octopath Traveler ($29.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
Octopath Traveler II ($35.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
PowerWash Simulator ($17.49 from $24.99 until 7/26)
Rainbow Moon ($9.89 from $14.99 until 7/26)
Romancing SaGa 2 ($7.49 from $24.99 until 7/26)
Romancing SaGa 3 ($8.69 from $28.99 until 7/26)
Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song ($14.99 from $24.99 until 7/26)
RunBeat Galactic ($1.99 from $4.99 until 7/26)
SaGa Emerald Beyond ($37.49 from $49.99 until 7/26)
SaGa Frontier Remastered ($12.49 from $24.99 until 7/26)
SaGa Scarlet Grace Ambitions ($8.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Sakuna: Of Rice & Ruin ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Sea Horizon ($5.99 from $14.99 until 7/26)
Slime Rancher: Plortable ($9.99 from $24.99 until 7/26)
Star Ocean First Departure R ($6.29 from $20.99 until 7/26)
Star Ocean The Second Story R ($34.99 from $49.99 until 7/26)
Sunny Cafe ($9.89 from $14.99 until 7/26)
Synthetic Lover ($12.49 from $24.99 until 7/26)
Tactics Ogre: Reborn ($24.99 from $49.99 until 7/26)
The DioField Chronicle ($23.99 from $59.99 until 7/26)
The Long Dark ($17.49 from $34.99 until 7/26)
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line ($24.99 from $49.99 until 7/26)
Touhou New World ($12.49 from $24.99 until 7/26)
Trials of Mana ($19.99 from $49.99 until 7/26)
Trinity Trigger ($19.99 from $39.99 until 7/26)
Various Daylife ($11.59 from $28.99 until 7/26)
Voice of Cards Beasts of Burden ($11.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Voice of Cards Forsaken Maiden ($11.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
Voice of Cards Isle Dragon Roars ($11.99 from $29.99 until 7/26)
World of Final Fantasy Maxima ($15.99 from $39.99 until 7/26)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow to check out the remaining releases of the week, plus whatever news and sales roll in over the course of the day. I’m told we may even have a review or two from our pal Mikhail, but we’ll have to see about that. I have to swing by the hospital tomorrow morning, but I don’t think they’re going to admit me or anything. I hope you all have a thrilling Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!
