Reviews Featuring ‘Dave the Diver’, Plus Tons of New Releases and Sales – TouchArcade

Howdy light readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for October twenty sixth, 2023. In right this moment’s article, we begin issues off with a hefty evaluation of Dave the Diver courtesy of our pal Mikhail. He’s nonetheless feeling sick, however that didn’t cease him from slinging some sick prose about this sizzling new sport. I apologize for nothing! After that, I summarize the not-inconsiderable record of recent video games for the day. We end issues up within the typical trend, with some lists of recent and expiring gross sales for you to consider. Let’s get to it!

Critiques & Mini-Views

Dave the Diver ($19.99)

Dave the Diver is the one that just about received away from me. I skipped it on PC round launch regardless of a detailed buddy consistently telling me that I particularly would like it. This 12 months has been bonkers for sport releases, and I knew I’d ultimately get to it, as a result of I like fishing video games, and Dave the Diver felt like it might be particular primarily based on one quick clip I watched. Quick ahead to it being introduced in a Nintendo Direct for Swap, and I’ve performed and adored nearly all the things about it.

Dave the Diver is a really attention-grabbing sport in the way it blends collectively polished mechanics from totally different genres whereas oozing appeal. Often, a sport primarily based on fishing, pool, or golf is sufficient to get me , however there may be one particular cut-scene in Dave the Diver that instructed me all the things I wanted to find out about it. I cannot get into spoilers as a result of there may be quite a lot of love put into the story and characters right here, however that second took me again to Steins;Gate. That’s all I’ll say.

The core gameplay loop in Dave the Diver is a mix of diving and restaurant simulation. What actually impressed me, is in how the builders sustain a gentle circulate of recent mechanics, upgrades, unlocks, and extra whereas having nice mission selection. There are a number of missions that felt too near boring fetch quests, however these have been in all probability the one ones I disliked within the lengthy runtime Dave the Diver gives for its most important story.

The diving side normally includes you exploring the depths, avoiding or attacking the aggressive fish that attempt to kill you, utilizing your harpoon or weapons to catch some fish, and finishing missions. As you dive deeper, the number of creatures will increase, and it’s also possible to decide up objects like treasures, weapon blueprints, refills for ammo/oxygen, and discover factors of curiosity to make use of to quick journey again up.

These aren’t all instantaneous although, and you want to plan to have some oxygen left and never many harmful creatures close to you whilst you name to be taken again up. I had many cases of getting grasping and ending up being eaten by a shark inflicting me to simply be capable of carry again one merchandise from the huge stack of treasure and fishes I collected down. Keep in mind to not be grasping.

The simulation is what occurs after you end your morning and afternoon diving session. That is the place you intend your menu, rent individuals, customise your restaurant, and participate in mini-games of serving individuals, cleansing up, and extra.

All of that is tracked by Dave’s cellphone which has a shocking quantity of usable apps together with a music participant, todo record, calculator, and extra. This additionally enables you to improve Dave, craft weapons, fulfill requests for particular individuals, and observe how the restaurant is doing. There may be quite a lot of depth (HA! -Shillin’ Shaun) in Dave the Diver.

Thus far, quite a lot of the mechanics appear fairly simple, however there are such a lot of cases of pleasure due to scripted missions underwater or characters showing within the restaurant that make each day in-game really feel particular. For those who don’t need to spend an excessive amount of time with upgrades and stuff, you aren’t actually penalized. This may get hectic, however is a really enjoyable sport.

The construction of the sport completely fits moveable play, which explains why it was so well-liked on Steam Deck. I performed Dave the Diver on each Swap and Steam Deck. The latter is unquestionably the higher expertise, however Dave the Diver is a reliable port on Swap. The body charge is decrease as anticipated, however it seems good. The key problem is the load instances on Swap. One problem I’ve with the sport usually, is with the numerous canned animations that appear to take too lengthy. You possibly can skip the cut-scenes after seeing them as soon as, however the diving animations and another sections ought to’ve been skippable or shorter. This jogs my memory of how Starfield is stuffed with these canned touchdown and take-off animations.

Dave the Diver is an incredible sport. I’m shocked at how properly it retains up its pacing of unlocks and new missions all through its two dozen or so hours of runtime, and there’s simply a lot to do. I by no means received uninterested in taking part in it, however I hope future patches can tackle the lengthy load instances on Swap. Barring that, Dave the Diver is high tier, and important for Nintendo Swap. Simply obtain the demo proper now. Don’t waste time. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

New Releases

Dave the Diver ($19.99)

There’s a pleasant, large, detailed evaluation proper above this, so that you don’t want me to yammer on about something. It’s a extremely cool sport and I again up Mikhail’s enthusiasm for it. Give it a go.

Spin Rhythm XD ($24.99)

You already know, I’ve quite a lot of respect for video games that talk how their gameplay works by way of a single screenshot. It’s instantly apparent how this one works. You must hit the beats by spinning the dial on the tube. Received it, cool. That is really a extremely nice rhythm sport, properly price selecting up if you happen to just like the style. I give it a stable thumbs-up.

Gordian Quest ($19.99)

Talking of video games that say all of it with a screenshot, right here’s Gordian Quest. Sure, it’s one other Darkest Dungeon-style sport that blends roguelite components, deckbuilding, and turn-based battles. I’ll have a evaluation of this one, however it’s just about what it seems to be. The one query is if you happen to’re nonetheless hungry for this sort of affair.

CometStriker DX ($14.99)

Shoot left, shoot proper, increase to dodge in any course. These are your instruments on this intense motion sport. You’ve received 5 ranges to discover, they usually’re pretty roomy affairs. Each culminates in a wild boss battle with bullets aplenty to keep away from. You possibly can play on 4 issue settings, they usually really change layouts and add new behaviors to the enemies so there’s a significant distinction. There are some unlockable characters, a few unlockable modes, and assist for native two-player co-op throughout your entire sport. I prefer it.

Varenje – Don’t Contact The Berries ($9.99)

That is type of a puzzle journey sport the place you’re shrunk down and want to seek out the mandatory elements to make a potion that can return you to your unique dimension. There are eight chapters to play, and the artwork definitely does look good. It appears comparatively mild as this style goes, so if that sounds to your style then by all means.

Nice Ambition of the Slimes ($11.99)

I actually loved Ambition of the Slimes. It was a unusual twist on the turn-based tactical RPG style that had some enjoyable with tropes of the style. The spin-off didn’t work as properly for me, so I’m glad to see we’ve received a extra orthodox sequel right here in Nice Ambition of the Slimes. Extra slime varieties, extra models to take over with them, and plenty of new battle eventualities as you present the world that slimes shouldn’t be messed round with. I haven’t had an opportunity to play it but, however I’m trying ahead to it.

Kickback Slug: Cosmic Courier ($11.99)

Slugs don’t normally get round too properly, and that could possibly be an issue if one has to work as an area courier. Luckily, Slippy Slug has found out that if he fires a gun, he’ll fly off in the wrong way. You’ll need to grasp this with the intention to clear greater than fifty ranges unfold throughout 5 totally different zones. Not solely will it’s a must to navigate the difficult terrain, you’ll additionally need to cope with some nasty bosses on occasion. And if it’s not an excessive amount of bother, see if you happen to can’t accumulate all of the misplaced parcels hidden alongside the best way. There are quite a lot of enjoyable video games releasing right this moment, and that is one other one.

World of Horror ($19.99)

It is a roguelite cosmic horror RPG the place you select a personality and attempt to resolve a wide range of mysteries in a Japanese metropolis plagued with supernatural terrors. You’ll encounter totally different mysteries in every run, and also you’ll have to have interaction in turn-based battles in opposition to a wide range of monsters and ghosts. The look of the sport is putting, calling again to traditional computer systems. It seems cool, and I hope to make a while to attempt it out quickly.

Get Me Out, Please ($29.99)

A horror sport for as much as 4 gamers by way of native wi-fi or on-line multiplayer. You’re in a faculty and a monster is stalking you. Disguise, run, and do no matter you’ll be able to to outlive. It seems prefer it could be attention-grabbing so long as you could have others to play with, however until you set that up your self I don’t like your odds of constructing that occur.

even when TEMPEST Dawning Connections ($49.99)

The place there’s a profitable otome visible novel, there’s a fan disc follow-up. Right here’s the one for even when TEMPEST. You get three tales, one exhibiting you what occurs after the occasions of the unique, one exhibiting an alternate story, and one exhibiting aspect tales of minor characters. For those who loved the unique so much, you’ll in all probability like this. For those who haven’t performed it but, then don’t even consider shopping for this. It’s like that.

Hana Awase New Moon ($36.29)

An otome visible novel with a hanafuda motif. It is available in 4 totally different flavors, so if you wish to get all of the good-looking boys you’ll must drop round 100 and forty-five US {dollars}. Wow! The great factor is that there’s a free demo you’ll be able to check out to see if it’s one thing you need to splash out on. I’ll depart that to you.

Visco Assortment ($19.99)

QUByte has one other assortment of classic video games for us, however this time it’s actually a set. Seven arcade video games from Visco, together with Andro Dunos, FlipShot and its sequel Bang Bead, Captain Tomaday, Ganryu, Aim! Aim!, and Neo DriftOut are right here, with some modest choices and on-line play in some video games. I’ve performed round with this a bit of and whereas it’s a bit naked bones when it comes to extras, the video games themselves play properly and are fairly enjoyable.

Arcade Archives Burning Drive ($7.99)

SEGA’s Area Harrier was an enormous arcade hit, so it’s little shock Namco made a couple of try at making an attempt to cook dinner up their very own reply to it. These two did job of retaining the opposite one motivated again within the day. Burning Drive isn’t as well-known as Area Harrier, however if you happen to take pleasure in that sport then it’s a must to play this. It’s quick, livid, and enjoyable. I picked up this launch the minute it went up, so you realize it’s good. Nicely, so long as your tastes match mine. In the event that they don’t, then I don’t know what it’s best to take away from that anecdote.

Frog Detective: The Complete Thriller ($19.95)

It is a cute little detective sport a few frog detective. You get three totally different circumstances to unravel right here, they usually’re all fairly humorous in a family-friendly means. Anyway, if you happen to’re in search of one thing comparatively chill and light-hearted to chill out with this weekend, this would possibly match the invoice.

Nyanzou & Kumakichi Let’s Make a Flower Backyard ($1.00)

In case you have a buck and an urge to rearrange flowers in a backyard, right here you go. Do job and also you’ll get quite a lot of prospects. Get quite a lot of prospects and also you’ll get some huge cash. Get some huge cash and also you’ll be capable of purchase extra stuff to your backyard. That’s the sport.

THE KITTY in The Trapping Backyard ($9.99)

Hey, it’s one other room escape-style journey sport utilizing this similar interface. Regista has a row that it is aware of find out how to hoe, and hoe it it shall.

Area Storeship ($4.69)

You’re a bit of sheep lady on a spaceship, and you want to work your means by way of greater than fifty puzzling rooms. The primary gimmick of the sport is that you would be able to swap the point of view from high all the way down to 2D, which is able to shift the room’s format and how one can work together with it. Sort of neat, actually. An inexpensive little puzzler for these looking out for one right this moment.

Illuminaria ($14.99)

It is a technique sport the place you management robots that you simply’ll ship out to assemble sources, construct and defend bases, and so forth. It’s on the simpler aspect as this sort of factor goes, and it wraps up inside a number of hours. Critiques for different variations have been on the optimistic aspect if not overwhelmingly so, so if you happen to just like the premise it’s in all probability price trying into additional. That is so far as I can take you, nonetheless.

Hamster on Rails ($14.99)

On this puzzle sport, it’s a must to construct railroads that can take the hamsters to their objective on every of the sixty-four phases. You’ll additionally must work levers to activate or deactivate varied gimmicks because the hamsters journey. Hold a watch out for hidden chests, as you’ll be able to earn some enjoyable costumes to decorate your hamsters up in.

Seaside Driving ($4.99)

That is an countless driving sport. Drive by the seaside in one in every of eight totally different automobiles on 5 randomly generated tracks. Hearken to synthwave and take into consideration how we as a tradition appear to be having an inordinate quantity of issue transferring on from the Eighties. Don’t take into consideration why; it’s too miserable. Accumulate cash! That’s higher. Look, this isn’t fancy eating by any means, however for a fiver it doesn’t actually need to be. Simply needless to say you’ll be able to throw three extra bucks in that pot and get the precise OutRun to play.

Moist Steps ($4.99)

A visible novel a few man who finally ends up with 4 charming women after his lips. Gosh, that appears to occur so much in these video games. Nicely, smooching makes the world go ’spherical, in any case. Make your decisions and attain one in every of 4 totally different endings. Hey, I’m not going to cease you.

LumiereMagna ($15.99)

A really, um, modest 3D motion sport. You play as a magician who has to battle monsters in some historical ruins to uncover the key of final knowledge. You might have 4 forms of magic to make use of in opposition to your foes. I don’t know if I’d spend sixteen bucks on this, however possibly somebody would.

The Bin Bunch

Paintball 3 – Sweet Match Manufacturing unit ($9.99)

Halloween Bubble Shooter ($1.99)

Yatzi ($19.99)

Canine ($19.99)

Animal Kart Racer 2 ($19.99)

Horror Gallery ($9.99)

Horror Story 2: Samantha ($9.99)

Paper Sprint – Ghost Hunt ($9.99)

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

The large factor right this moment is the low cost on Cult of the Lamb, which is occurring because of it being the most recent Free Recreation Trials for Nintendo Swap On-line subscribers. I’ll additionally level out Xeno Disaster at a brand new low worth of simply 5 bucks. Take a look by way of each lists as typical, nonetheless. You would possibly discover one thing that strikes you. Within the great way, not the ouchie means.

Choose New Gross sales

Cult of the Lamb ($14.99 from $24.99 till 11/1)
Goosebumps: Useless of Night time ($9.89 from $29.99 till 11/1)
Snake Recreation ($2.99 from $3.99 till 11/3)
Dominant Thoughts: Code Breaker Recreation ($3.99 from $4.99 till 11/3)
Xeno Disaster ($4.99 from $19.99 till 11/3)
Pilgrims ($2.79 from $6.99 till 11/6)
Machinarium ($5.99 from $19.99 till 11/6)
Creaks ($5.99 from $19.99 till 11/6)
The Bridge Curse: Street to Salvation ($20.99 from $29.99 till 11/6)
Joyful Recreation ($5.25 from $13.13 till 11/6)
Loco Parentis ($6.69 from $9.99 till 11/9)
Kaichu: The Kaiju Relationship Sim ($4.99 from $9.99 till 11/9)
Sacred Zodongga Protection ($7.49 from $14.99 till 11/10)
Rice Bowl Restaurant ($7.49 from $14.99 till 11/10)
Seven Pirates H ($27.99 from $39.99 till 11/10)

Moe Waifu H ($2.99 from $4.99 till 11/10)
Satay Store Tycoon ($7.49 from $14.99 till 11/10)
Otoko Cross: Fairly Boys Klondike Solitaire ($3.49 from $6.99 till 11/10)
Kao the Kangaroo ($12.89 from $29.99 till 11/15)
OTTTD ($1.99 from $7.99 till 11/15)
Demise Squared ($2.24 from $14.99 till 11/15)
Tremendous One Extra Soar ($1.99 from $7.99 till 11/15)
Tokyo Darkish Remembrance ($5.99 from $19.99 till 11/15)
Tiny Steel ($4.49 from $14.99 till 11/15)
Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers ($2.99 from $9.99 till 11/15)
Fall of Porcupine ($11.99 from $19.99 till 11/15)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, October twenty seventh

Burrow of the Fallen Bear ($9.99 from $19.99 till 10/27)
Hyper-5 ($6.99 from $9.99 till 10/27)
Laserpitium ($10.49 from $14.99 till 10/27)
Macrotis: A Mom’s Journey ($4.19 from $11.99 till 10/27)
Neko Journey ($6.99 from $9.99 till 10/27)
Neko Secret Room ($3.49 from $6.99 till 10/27)
Paradise Marsh ($7.49 from $14.99 till 10/27)
Pirates on Goal ($3.99 from $4.99 till 10/27)
Fairly Ladies Rivers ($2.99 from $5.99 till 10/27)
Fairly Ladies Pace ($2.99 from $5.99 till 10/27)
Rainbow Skies ($13.99 from $19.99 till 10/27)
Robo Revenge Squad ($6.00 from $20.00 till 10/27)
Sea Horizon ($8.99 from $14.99 till 10/27)
Spacewing Struggle ($2.79 from $6.99 till 10/27)
Tremendous Rooster Jumper ($2.49 from $4.99 till 10/27)
Teratopia ($3.99 from $9.99 till 10/27)
Wire Lips ($3.49 from $6.99 till 10/27)

That’s all for right this moment, buddies. We’ll be again tomorrow with the remaining releases of the week, together with no matter gross sales and large information roll in throughout the course of the day. I hope you all have an exciting Thursday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!