Hello mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 18th, 2022. Our pal Mikhail has been a busy beaver, as he has one more evaluate for us at the moment. He’s taken a take a look at the brand new launch We Are OFK, and you’ll see the outcomes beneath. We have a ton of recent releases to have a look at at the moment, and whereas I wouldn’t say any of them are top-tier must-haves, there are a number of strong titles to think about. We’ve bought summaries of all of them that can assist you make your buying selections. Beyond that, we have now the same old lists of recent and expiring gross sales so that you can ponder. Let’s get to enterprise!

Reviews & Mini-Views

We Are OFK ($19.99)

When a developer or writer describes a recreation, it often oversells what the precise expertise shall be like for gamers. In the case of We Are OFK, “an interactive narrative collection of arguing over lyrics, sending unhappy texts, and enjoying Interactive Music Videos” is a really correct illustration of what this launch provides. I really like music in video games, and We Are OFK is one thing I’ve had on my radar since Nintendo posted about it coming to Switch. Having now skilled all 5 episodes forward of the episodic rollout starting at the moment, We Are OFK has ended being extra good than unhealthy, however there are some points.

We Are OFK is cut up up into 5 episodes which have their very own music movies. The first two can be found from launch, with the others arriving weekly. The episodes are of various size, however anticipate to take about 7 or so hours to get via all of them. For the aim of evaluate, all 5 episodes had been accessible, and I’m glad they had been. My ideas on the story peaked by the top of the second episode with the final 3 feeling a bit lackluster as compared. It nonetheless was a great expertise with nice artwork and music, however I hoped for extra primarily based on how the primary two episodes performed out.

As an interactive narrative collection, your interactions with We Are OFK contain you choosing completely different replies throughout texting, dialogue choices, choosing a personality, and a few mild motion within the music movies. This may be very a lot an expertise you watch first and play second if that is sensible. On that entrance, I really like the aesthetic and the way the interactions had been dealt with. Don’t anticipate some extent and click on journey right here.

I don’t need to spoil something from the narrative as a result of that’s the actual draw of the expertise, however I like what number of story-beats had been dealt with in We Are OFK. The voice appearing can also be value highlighting. The plot offers with stress, self discovery, love, humor, and extra.

Over the previous couple of weeks, I’ve been enjoying Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Soul Hackers 2, and Digimon Survive for evaluate. We Are OFK has served as a pleasant break in between these video games. I additionally take pleasure in how texting has been applied into the expertise. It nearly appears like a wise approach to get you to not need to decide up your personal telephone whereas watching since you have got this occur in-game or whereas watching an episode.

Having performed We Are OFK on Nintendo Switch, it appears like an ideal match for Nintendo’s hybrid system with contact management assist in handheld, good rumble assist normally, and good visuals. The artwork course shines and We Are OFK’s aesthetic feels proper at dwelling on the OLED display screen. The solely points I had on Switch had been two crashes in my playthrough at completely different factors. The recreation’s checkpointing helped, however this occurred on my Switch Lite and OLED fashions. I couldn’t work out what prompted the crashes since I attempted replaying these components they usually ran advantageous.

Despite a powerful opening two episodes and nice music nearly throughout the board, We Are OFK falters in direction of the top. I’m additionally not a fan of the tacked-on interactivity within the music movies. Instead of going all the way in which like Sayonara Wild Hearts, We Are OFK‘s music video segments feel like the team was forced to add some “gameplay” for the sake of it. As an interactive series of episodes you can watch, I don’t remorse the time I spent right here, and will certainly seize the soundtrack when it releases, however We Are OFK may’ve been extra. Hopefully the workforce does launch one thing else primarily based on these characters sooner or later.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

New Releases

The Room Two ($9.99)

You know, when the primary The Room recreation hit the eShop a few years again, I assumed the others would observe earlier than too lengthy. I used to be clearly incorrect, but it surely’s good to see one other one lastly present up. The Room Two is admittedly good if you happen to like these sorts of puzzle packing containers. It’s a pleasant center floor between the primary recreation’s brevity and the third recreation’s massive scope, and well-worth trying out if you happen to haven’t performed it earlier than.

We Are OFK ($19.99)

That they’re, that they’re. This is an interactive narrative about how the band OFK was fashioned, with a brand new episode of the story (and a brand new music) delivered every week till it’s completed. There are 5 episodes in whole, if I’m understanding this proper. Mikhail has a evaluate of this up above this paragraph within the article, so I received’t preserve fumbling at midnight making an attempt to clarify this distinctive piece of software program.

RPG Time: The Legend of Wright ($19.99)

A short, extremely distinctive expertise that takes place fully inside the pocket book of a child. Mikhail wrote up a pleasant evaluate of this one yesterday, and I like to recommend checking that out in order for you extra particulars. Despite the title, there’s extra to this than simply RPG parts. There are shooter bits, journey bits, motion bits, and extra to take pleasure in as you make your manner via the wild creativeness of recreation grasp Kenta. If you’re searching for one thing slightly off the overwhelmed path at the moment, this is perhaps your ticket.

Hell Blasters ($14.99)

I’ve heard good issues about this vertical shooter regardless of its… less-than-fantastic graphics. You can play as two completely different characters as you blast your manner via 5 levels of bullet hell. The story mode divides that up into 36 smaller sections with loads of story in between them. It additionally options 5 completely different issue ranges to select from, and these scallywags have named the simplest setting “Journalist Mode”. An amusing jape! I do know you’ve received me over. Yes, on-line leaderboards are included. They ought to at all times be included in shoot-em-ups, however they aren’t, so I really feel it’s value mentioning.

Dyna Bomb 2 ($19.99)

Wow, they’re actually going for it, eh? I feel the unique Dyna Bomb discovered an viewers as a result of it was reasonably priced and performed decently. It’s not a recreation I might ever describe as good, however possibly a great worth? I actually wouldn’t have advisable following it up with a sequel that prices 5 occasions as a lot. You get sixty-four ranges to platform your manner via, unfold throughout eight worlds. You can play alone or pull in a buddy to share your distress. Twenty bucks, although? Alrighty.

Slaycation Paradise ($19.99)

See, what they did right here is that they took the phrase ‘vacation’ and mashed within the phrase ‘slay’. A trip the place you slay! Delightful! Anyway, this can be a twin-stick shooter. There are some tower protection bits in it, however a lot of the enterprise is the capturing. It has all of the stuff you need to see in a recreation like that, together with a great arsenal of weapons, attention-grabbing enemies to battle, everlasting upgrades to unlock, and a bunch of ranges to beat. We used to get new twin-stick shooters each week, however the tempo has slowed down sufficient that I can think about loads of followers of the style being completely happy to see this arrive.

Irresistable Mistakes ($29.99)

The eShop description doesn’t give us a lot to go on right here, however I suppose we don’t want a lot for this type of factor, can we? The primary pitch asks if real love can begin with a one-night stand, and I’m going to imagine the reply finally ends up being affirmative. You get 5 completely different hunks to romance, they usually largely fall into the same old classes. So sure, one other otome visible novel from the knowledgeable arms at Voltage. If you’ve favored their earlier efforts, you’ll most likely take pleasure in this one too.

Cursed to Golf ($19.99)

Roguelite golf? Sure, why not? The set-up right here is much like issues like Super Stickman Golf, and if you happen to don’t make par you get despatched again to the beginning. You’re {golfing} your manner out of purgatory, so anticipate to see some uncommon hazards on the programs. In whole there are greater than seventy holes to grasp, and with on-line leaderboards you’ve bought some incentive to get the most effective scores you possibly can. You may also make use of some particular Ace Card power-ups that can assist you out in a pinch. Seems fairly enjoyable, although the worth is simply excessive sufficient that I’m hesitant to leap in fearlessly. Perhaps you’ve bought extra guts than I do.

Hobo: Tough Life ($29.99)

This recreation sees you as a homeless individual within the fictional Central European metropolis of Praslav. The Communist regime has fallen, and never everybody has been capable of re-adjust their lives to the brand new lifestyle. You’re a kind of individuals who has fallen between the cracks, and now you’ve bought to outlive any manner you possibly can. It’s pretty in-depth with its mechanics, and it appears to be very well-regarded on different platforms. You may even play with others through on-line multiplayer. Certainly a extra real looking tackle the survival RPG style, and maybe one that may foster some empathy for these much less lucky. I actually don’t know the way I personally really feel about enjoying a recreation about this type of matter, however don’t let that cease you if you happen to suppose it sounds attention-grabbing.

Arcade Archives Metro-Cross ($7.99)

I feel you possibly can safely name this one of many first large auto-runners in gaming historical past. Namco’s Metro-Cross, initially launched in 1985, sees you working via numerous side-scrolling levels, hopping over obstacles and gathering soda cans. Not one among my favourite video games from Namco’s arcade line-up, however one can actually have a great time with it if they’re inclined to take action. Hamster has completed its typical succesful work, so if you happen to’re craving this recreation you should purchase it with confidence.

Thymesia – Cloud Version ($29.99)

Thymesia looks as if a reasonably cool tackle the Soulslike style. Unfortunately, I feel this is among the worst attainable sorts of video games to play through a Cloud Version. Maybe you’ve bought a implausible web connection, and I actually encourage you to attempt the sport out through the demo to see the way it works for you, however there actually isn’t a lot room for lag of any kind right here. Probably greatest to get your horrifying plague-creature groove on through one other platform.

Light Fairytale Episode 2 ($9.99)

As you may anticipate, this instantly follows on from Light Fairytale Episode 1. Don’t play this one till you’ve completed that one. This is a particular enchancment over that recreation, which I discovered had extra potential than power. It’s nonetheless a smaller chunk, lasting only some hours, and it finally ends up solely kicking the story forward slightly bit. I don’t know. When it’s completed, this may find yourself being one thing value recommending, but it surely’s arduous to push it with a lot vigor in its present piecemeal kind. That stated, if you happen to favored the primary episode, I can’t see any motive why you wouldn’t additionally take pleasure in this.

Mutropolis ($19.99)

Another first rate point-and-click fashion journey recreation on the Switch, this one coming to us from Pirita Studio and ASH Games. This one is sci-fi themed, placing you within the function of Henry Dijon as he searches for a legendary misplaced metropolis on the deserted planet of Earth. Yes, it’s the 12 months 5000 and by and huge humanity has moved its mess to Mars, however Henry and his workforce of archaeologists have determined to go to Earth to search out relics and treasures. Unfortunately, his professor is kidnapped, and issues go greater than slightly ca-ca. Some mild conflicts with historic gods, no biggie. Some of the puzzles are bananas on this recreation, however by and huge its allure and attractiveness carry it nicely sufficient. If you take pleasure in journey video games, give it a glance.

Project: Knight 2 Dusk of Souls ($8.99)

Project: Knight was a clunky little action-adventure recreation that had sufficient going for it to select up a number of followers. So right here is Project: Knight 2 Dusk of Souls, which improves the fight, introduces a stamina gauge, takes you to a brand new setting, and usually expands on the primary recreation in a variety of methods. I wasn’t an enormous booster of the primary recreation, however if you happen to occurred to take pleasure in it then you definitely is perhaps the type prepared to spend a number of extra bucks on the sequel.

Secrets of Magic 5: Back to School ($19.99)

Well, that is the fifth one among these now. A brand new story, a brand new space to brighten, the identical outdated match-3 gameplay. There are some facet actions like jigsaw puzzles and hidden object hunts, too. I feel you could find a variety of video games like this in your cell gadget without spending a dime, but when they’ve ported this many video games within the collection then lots of people have to be shopping for these. For these people, right here’s yet another.

Pretty Girls Four Kings Solitaire ($5.99)

Here’s eastasiasoft with one other of its Pretty Girls video games. This one makes use of the Four Kings variant of Solitaire, and in the end provides eight completely different girls to play in opposition to. As you clear levels, you’ll unlock extra characters and new outfits for them. You additionally get a diorama mode the place you possibly can create scenes with the women. Basically the same old Pretty Girls bundle.

Japanese Escape Games The Fortress Prison ($9.99)

Hmm, one other one among these. Well, it’s one other escape room recreation. The setting this time is a jail. Find the gadgets, clear up the puzzles, and see if you will get out. There is a few type of story about proving your sister harmless by placing your self in jail, however does it actually matter? You’re most likely not shopping for these for the tales. The puzzles are advantageous. Typical stuff, however not unhealthy.

Litguy Adventure ($3.99)

Sigh, Weakfish. Why do you do the stuff you do? This seems to be dollar-store Celeste. Maybe you need dollar-store Celeste. At least it’s priced appropriately? Just remember that this isn’t anyplace close to pretty much as good as Celeste. Four bucks. This, or a number of scrumptious Snickers bars. Your name.

Chameneon ($3.99)

Here’s QUByte’s shot for the {dollars} of the price range gamer at the moment. Chameneon is a level-based auto-runner platformer with eighty ranges set in 4 completely different environments. Nothing particular gameplay-wise, but it surely’s decently made.

My Divorce Story ($7.99)

It most likely shouldn’t, however this recreation bothers me. It’s a recreation about divorce, created by a former divorce lawyer, allegedly primarily based on real-life counseling. You play as somebody who has been knowledgeable that their partner is dishonest on them. You want to gather proof by no matter means you’re feeling is suitable, hopefully gathering sufficient to win when your day in courtroom arrives. But you possibly can’t let your partner know you’re on to them, so it’s important to smile to their face whereas digging up grime on them behind their again. Snoop on their pc or telephone, discover cherished objects that evoke reminiscences you shared to gas your rage for the ultimate testimony, slip a GPS tracker on them, and so forth. Multiple endings await, offered you truly need to play one thing like this greater than as soon as. Blech.

Treehouse Riddle ($14.99)

This is a puzzle recreation with greater than sixty puzzles to unravel. You’re trapped in a treehouse and must discover a manner out. So sure, that is type of one other escape room recreation, however the pixel artwork fashion a minimum of offers it a barely completely different taste. The recreation features a trace system and it’s also possible to skip any puzzle that’s providing you with an excessive amount of bother, so it’s somewhat beginner-friendly as this stuff go. The presentation a minimum of helps it stand out in some trend, and maybe is sufficient to sway you.

Multi Race: Match The Car ($9.99)

The newest BoomHits launch is one other odd one. The gimmick right here appears to be that you’re driving via a wide range of environments and wish to decide on the proper car for the job, lest issues go horribly awry. You must rapidly swap between them on the fly, and if you happen to’re too early or too late, you’ll be in bother. Not actually my type of factor, however I respect the try to make one thing completely different from their norm.

Zumba Garden ($2.99)

Silesia Games is again with one other full and whole rip-off of Puzz Loop. Much like its earlier effort, Zumba Aqua, it has taken the title of essentially the most well-known rip-off of Puzz Loop (PopCap’s Zuma) and added a single letter to it, hilariously leading to ripping off one other model (Zumba Fitness). But hey, nothing issues anymore. Sixty ranges. Power-ups. No higher than a few thousand free cell video games. Three bucks. Some will purchase it. Enough will.

Home Deco Puzzles ($5.99)

This is a Benjamin Kistler recreation, so realistically it’s doubtless a Unity Asset Store template flip, however no matter. It’s additionally barely biting off of Unpacking, however not a lot as to sound the alarms I feel. You’re proven how every room ought to look, then all its contents are put into packing containers, and you should take the gadgets out of the packing containers and put them in precisely the fitting locations in response to the preview image. The room sizes and complexity improve as you go.

Drift Horizon Racing, Driving & Parking Trial Simulator Games ($24.99)

Midnight Works has one other pile of dung with a Purple Monkey Dishwasher title for us at the moment. Another low-effort port of a forgettable cell recreation, handheld-mode solely as a result of implementing button controls would take work. The sheer bloody audacity to cost that prime of a worth for this trash.

CrashMetal – Drift Racing Car Driving Simulator 2022 Games ($19.99)

But wait, there’s extra! Yes, Midnight Works went to the Purple Monkey Dishwasher nicely a second time at the moment. As typical, handheld solely. You have to make use of contact controls as a result of this developer can’t be bothered to place in any work including button controls to a cell port. Twenty bucks for this rubbish. Just depart it within the rubbish bin as typical.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Not a lot within the inbox value caring about on the time of writing past Boyfriend Dungeon. I think about tomorrow’s checklist shall be loads larger and more healthy. In the outbox, the newest THQ Nordic sale is wrapping up. They’ll be round once more earlier than lengthy, however in order for you them now there isn’t a motive to attend. Check each of these lists and see what catches your eye, although.

Select New Games on Sale

Boyfriend Dungeon ($14.99 from $19.99 till 8/25)
Robo Revenge Squad ($17.00 from $20.00 till 9/1)
Rogue Star Rescue ($10.49 from $14.99 till 9/1)
Potata: Fairy Flower ($2.40 from $12.00 till 9/6)
Cubicity ($2.04 from $6.00 till 9/6)
Space Genesis ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/7)
ANIMUS ($2.63 from $7.99 till 9/7)
ANIMUS: Revenant ($8.04 from $22.99 till 9/7)
ANIMUS: Harbinger ($2.63 from $7.99 till 9/7)
Haunted Zombie School ($8.99 from $14.99 till 9/7)
Girls Tank Battle ($3.84 from $10.99 till 9/7)
Space Stella: Unknown Planet ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/7)
Dungeon Limbus ($5.24 from $14.99 till 9/7)
Dark Water: Slime Invader ($5.24 from $14.99 till 9/7)

Last 4 Alive: Escape From Zombies ($5.49 from $10.99 till 9/7)
World War: Tank Battle ($8.99 from $14.99 till 9/7)
Zombie Is Planting ($5.49 from $10.99 till 9/7)
Demong Hunter ($2.79 from $7.99 till 9/7)
Haunted Dawn: The Zombie Apocalypse ($5.24 from $14.99 till 9/7)
Counter Delta: The Bullet Rain ($8.99 from $14.99 till 9/7)
REDDEN: 100denarii ($3.99 from $7.99 till 9/7)
Counter Recon: The First Mission ($5.24 from $14.99 till 9/77)
Bullet Battle: Evolution ($4.94 from $14.99 till 9/7)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, August nineteenth

Battlechasers: Nightwar ($11.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
Bugsnax ($18.74 from $24.99 till 8/19)
Car Dealer Driver ($6.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Chronos: Before the Ashes ($17.99 from $29.99 till 8/19)
Crypt of the NecroDancer ($3.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Darksiders Genesis ($13.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
Darksiders II Deathinitive ($10.49 from $29.99 till 8/19)
Darksiders III ($23.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
Darksiders Warmastered ($10.49 from $29.99 till 8/19)
Destroy All Humans! ($23.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
Doughlings: Invasion ($2.49 from $9.99 till 8/19)
Farm Tycoon ($14.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Gunman Clive HD Collection ($1.99 from $4.99 till 8/19)
Kingdoms of Amalur Re-Reckoning ($23.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)

Mechstermination Force ($1.99 from $11.99 till 8/19)
Monster Jam: Steel Titans 2 ($23.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
MX vs ATV All Out ($19.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
Octodad: Dadliest Catch ($3.74 from $14.99 till 8/19)
Raven’s Hike ($1.99 from $3.99 till 8/19)
Sixty Words by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 till 8/19)
Sphinx & the Cursed Mummy ($8.99 from $29.99 till 8/19)
SpongeBob SquarePants BfBB ($14.99 from $29.99 till 8/19)
Super Punch Patrol ($1.99 from $4.99 till 8/19)
Titan Quest ($11.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)
Titan Quest: Atlantis DLC ($6.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Titan Quest: Ragnarok DLC ($6.99 from $19.99 till 8/19)
Underland: The Climb ($1.99 from $3.99 till 8/19)
Viki Spotter: Space Mission ($3.49 from $4.99 till 8/19)
Wreckfest ($35.99 from $39.99 till 8/19)

That’s all for at the moment, pals. We’ll be again tomorrow with the remaining releases of the week, comparable to they’re. We’ll additionally doubtless have a big checklist of recent gross sales to have a look at, and doubtless slightly information. I feel Mikhail’s evaluate streak is over, however he could shock us but. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday, and as at all times, thanks for studying!