Reviews Featuring ‘Dragon Quest Monsters’, Plus New Releases, Sales, and More – TouchArcade

Good day mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for December eleventh, 2023. We’ve acquired fairly the assortment for you immediately. We begin off with a hands-on preview of Capcom’s upcoming Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer Trilogy from yours really, then head into an epic assessment part. Our pal Mikhail has evaluations of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince and TEVI, whereas I’ve acquired my takes on Gothic II Full Traditional, Orten Was The Case, Rogue Glitch Extremely, and DREDGE‘s newest DLC, The Pale Attain. Then we’ve got some doubtful new releases to take a look at, adopted by the brand new and expiring gross sales of the day as ordinary. Let’s get to work!

Previews

Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer Trilogy (Coming January twenty fifth)

We’ve had the Phoenix Wright: Ace Lawyer Trilogy on the Nintendo Change for what appears like ages. It’s an honest set, together with the well-loved first three video games within the Ace Lawyer collection of their shiniest type but. They appear fairly spiffy for video games born on the Recreation Boy Advance, to say the least. We additionally acquired the nice shock of the 2 Nice Ace Lawyer video games on Change, and so they’re simply nice. However there’s nonetheless loads of circumstances left for the court docket to listen to, and on the prime of the listing is the franchise’s second numbered trilogy. Capcom was type sufficient to allow us to take an early have a look at Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer Trilogy forward of its Change launch on January twenty fifth of subsequent yr.

Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer Trilogy collects the fourth, fifth, and sixth video games within the collection. The fourth sport was initially launched on the Nintendo DS beneath the title Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer, whereas the opposite two have been Nintendo 3DS releases beneath the names Phoenix Wright: Ace Lawyer – Twin Destinies and Phoenix Wright: Ace Lawyer – Spirit of Justice. Regardless of the Phoenix Wright bit in two of the titles, this storyline begins and ends with Apollo Justice and his improvement as a personality. Phoenix has a powerful presence in the entire video games in some type or one other, however the title of the set is actually apt. On prime of the primary video games, this assortment additionally consists of the DLC for the fifth and sixth video games, including an additional case and a few enjoyable costumes to the combination.

I used to be anticipating this to comply with within the footsteps of the unique trilogy’s launch on the Change, providing the video games and never far more than that. I used to be stunned to see that this has gotten a a lot nicer therapy. The three video games are right here, in fact. You’ll be able to decide them from the menu and so they all have good little animated scenes that play on their respective pages. There’s additionally a museum mode the place you possibly can hearken to music within the Orchestra Corridor, try artwork and flicks within the Artwork Library, and even arrange your individual scenes with the totally different characters and animations in a restricted Animation Studio. There are achievements referred to as Accolades, and every sport consists of a wide selection of choices you possibly can toggle. There’s even an possibility referred to as Story Mode that robotically solves puzzles and solutions questions for you, successfully turning the sport into a visible novel.

Entering into the video games, they appear and sound terrific. Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer is a 2D sport, however its origins being on the Nintendo DS means its artwork was already a step up when it comes to element and determination in comparison with the Recreation Boy Advance entries. Twin Destinies and Spirit of Justice used 3D fashions to start out with, and so they look actually clear right here. The video games play effectively, in fact. You need to use the buttons or contact display as you wish to play, identical to on the unique consoles. Whereas this second trilogy acquired a barely extra combined reception than the primary, I’ve at all times been a fan of the daring swings of the fourth sport and the follow-up video games gave the impression to be extra crowd-pleasing on the whole.

Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer Trilogy will launch on the Nintendo Change on January twenty fifth, 2024. That’s subsequent yr, nevertheless it’s not so distant. It’s nearly Christmas, in any case. We’ll have a full assessment of the sport when the time comes, however I believe issues are already wanting superb for this set.

Critiques & Mini-Views

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince ($59.99)

My expertise with Dragon Quest video games has been bizarre through the years. I truly completed Dragon Quest Heroes on PS4 earlier than any mainline entry within the collection, after which ended up loving Dragon Quest VIII on 3DS which I think about one in every of my favorites of all time. I’ve additionally performed each single Dragon Quest sport on PS4 and Nintendo Change now, with Dragon Quest Builders 2 and Dragon Quest XI S being my favorites. On the cellular aspect, I’ve been dipping my toes within the older video games by the ports that Shaun has reviewed through the years, however I hadn’t actually tried the Monsters collection.

Final yr, Sq. Enix launched Dragon Quest Treasures on Nintendo Change which many informed me was Dragon Quest Monsters Lite. I ended up loving that regardless of its flaws, and replayed it on Steam Deck a number of months later. Now, Sq. Enix has launched Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince for Nintendo Change worldwide, and it feels bizarre to even think about this a spin-off. I really feel like it’s a center floor between a giant fundamental sport and a spin-off due to how a lot of the primary video games it consists of, however has a distinct focus that I’ll get to in a bit.

I wasn’t positive what to anticipate within the narrative, however I discovered Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince‘s story to be memorable and ended up liking the foremost characters so much. Having some context from Dragon Quest IV helps elevate this, nevertheless it isn’t important for newcomers. I nearly stopped specializing in the story to construct my dream occasion of monsters in Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince, and that’s the place the gameplay comes into the image.

I’m floored at how effectively thought out the mechanics really feel right here. It is extremely a lot Dragon Quest, however the season mechanic in areas (that act like giant sandboxes), lots of of monsters together with new ones, and fight make me need to preserve taking part in it or have it suspended on my Change so I can get some synthesis or fight in when I’ve some free time. Synthesis in Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince is like Shin Megami Tensei, and there may be simply a lot you are able to do with abilities right here.

Whereas the sport doesn’t have the identical scope as Dragon Quest XI and even VIII, the areas you possibly can discover are fairly huge. The season mechanic is fascinating as a result of the biomes you’re in have seasons change with out loading as you’re exploring or battling. A brand new season brings new factors of curiosity, modifications to the map, and extra. For instance, a water physique will freeze in winter letting you discover additional.

Fight is turn-based, and the main focus of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince is definitely letting your monsters use ways (like in Persona 3 earlier than Persona 3 Moveable) fairly than direct instructions. You’ll be able to subject instructions, however the sport pushes to go for a extra auto battle strategy initially or at the very least in opposition to fodder enemies. Throughout battles, as an alternative of simply specializing in defeating enemies, you need to scout them to allow them to be a part of your occasion making you stronger total with extra monsters in your aspect. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince consists of on-line multiplayer, however I haven’t been capable of take a look at it a lot. If I find yourself spending a while on it sooner or later, I’ll write about it individually.

Visually, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince is a combined bag. It may be attractive and appears excellent on the OLED display, however it will probably additionally look very dated and inconsistent even by Dragon Quest requirements. Should you have been happy with Dragon Quest Treasures, this will likely be superb for you. Simply anticipate efficiency points, barely lengthy load instances, and animation culling along with a low draw distance. These aren’t remotely as unhealthy as fashionable Pokemon video games, however they’re noticeably annoying and produce down an in any other case spectacular sport from getting a better rating.

On the audio aspect, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince doesn’t have an excessive amount of voice appearing, however the little it does have is superb. The music appears nearly fully reused from older video games with the identical midi songs included. In the future Sq. Enix will give us orchestral variations in a contemporary non mainline sport. That day shouldn’t be immediately, sadly.

Should you’re fully new to Dragon Quest, not to mention Dragon Quest Monsters, I’d advocate attempting the free demo. Should you already did that and are set to purchase it, on this case I really feel just like the Deluxe Version content material is de facto good so I’d advocate contemplating it when you’re planning to min max and need to do as a lot as potential on this sport. It’s a good time saver when you purchase two of the DLC packs. They aren’t important, however they assist.

Since Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince has DLC out there, I hope it does get some updates to deal with efficiency points. Barring that, I sit up for dipping into it for a very long time, and taking part in any potential ports it will get. This one is particular.

Regardless of my points with the efficiency, and I’m extra irritated by technical points than most, I ended up adoring Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince. It joins Monster Hunter Tales 2 as my two favourite monster accumulating video games. It has coronary heart, allure, and among the finest gameplay loops in a monster accumulating sport. I hope we see some patches bettering the efficiency although, as a result of that’s the one factor holding this again. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

TEVI ($34.99)

I liked CreSpirit’s Rabi Ribi, so I used to be excited to play the latest sport from them in TEVI. I didn’t comply with a lot of TEVI, however a number of of my pals praised the demo fairly a bit. I didn’t hassle taking part in it since I knew I’d be reviewing it, however I used to be interested by how the staff would follow-up Rabi Ribi in depth and high quality. It seems TEVI was the whole lot I had hoped for, and extra. Not solely did it shock me always, nevertheless it feels so good to play on Change.

TEVI blends motion video games, Metroidvanias, and visible novels collectively, however in a really sudden approach. After I began taking part in, I discovered it fairly gradual and fairly customary with its move. I quickly began discovering how superior the motion and fight focus was, then how the story is a vital a part of the expertise. Should you’re right here to only discover by yourself and never take note of the plot, I’d advocate in opposition to TEVI proper now. You will want to progress the story to play extra of the sport.

Whereas the fight is superior, boss battles are full on bullet hell mayhem, and superb. I couldn’t consider how effectively TEVI managed to carry my consideration for dozens of hours. There are a great deal of upgrades and also you always unlock extra. The controls are intuitive and I used to be stunned at how effectively TEVI runs on Change. You would possibly surprise why I’d be fearful a couple of sport that appears like this having points, however I’ve been burned too many instances on unhealthy Change ports of 2D video games. Fortunately, I’ve no complaints with how TEVI appears to be like and runs on Change in each handheld and docked mode.

The one criticism I’ve, barring the opening hours feeling a bit gradual and a few ranges not making it apparent when one thing is breakable or climbable, is the font dimension of sure components. In handheld mode, the sport’s UI wants a bit of labor as a result of even components throughout dialogue are a bit too small. Some people won’t just like the aesthetic, however I preferred it and the character portraits all the best way.

TEVI has solely Japanese voice appearing, however it is vitally good. That is complemented by the wonderful soundtrack that’s fairly various by the sport. The staff did a extremely good job right here.

Whereas the asking worth might sound excessive for some, TEVI is totally value it. There are a number of points holding it again like some visible readability ones for sure elements of ranges or the gradual opening hours, however this can be a excellent Metroidvania expertise that I hope will get a bodily launch. I adored it on each Steam Deck and Nintendo Change. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

Gothic II Full Traditional ($29.99)

Piranha Bytes video games have a sure fashion to them, and it allures some folks and repels others. You may, when you have been being uncharitable, name them B-game takes on issues like The Elder Scrolls, however I’m probably not keen on that strategy. Actually, not as many assets went into Piranha Bytes’ video games as the large AAA video games of their period, and there are plenty of tough components to them. The visuals are usually the place you possibly can spot this essentially the most, and I believe that’s the world of least concern once we’re taking a look at a rerelease of a twenty yr outdated sport. By way of gameplay, I believe you get a really earnest effort in every Piranha Bytes sport, and within the context of their time I believe they dangle effectively on this regard with their friends. In fact, that’s the half the place the age of the video games might be extra strongly felt. Tank controls, right here we go.

Gothic II was the second sport launched by Piranha Bytes and it’s the place the developer actually broke out. The Huge Dangerous of the primary sport, the Sleeper, has been vanquished. Sadly, along with his dying breath he summoned just about each evil creature round. Even worse, your character has misplaced most of his energy laying near-dead within the ruins of the Sleeper’s temple. Xardas pulls him out of there, explains the scenario, and we’re off to the races. Your fundamental purpose is to get your arms on a strong artifact referred to as the Eye of Innos, and it’s fairly the goose chase. A really enjoyable goose chase, thoughts you. One which feels each little bit of its 20 years of age, however one value embarking upon.

The Change port of Gothic II delivers the sport roughly as-is, plus the Night time of the Raven growth. There are some new movement controls right here however I wouldn’t actually advocate them. For higher or worse, that is the sport. Should you loved the port of the primary sport, you’ll like this much more. Should you didn’t, you would possibly need to step cautiously. There are plenty of belongings you’ll should take care of on this sport to correctly take pleasure in it, and solely a few of these are as a result of it being a sport from the flip of the millennium. If you may get used to the quirks endemic to this collection, nevertheless, the rewards are many.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5

Orten Was The Case ($14.99)

This sport took turns intriguing me and infuriating me. At a elementary degree, that is an journey sport that entails profiting from time loops to unravel the last word thriller it presents one step at a time. You’ll be able to reset the loop anytime you want, and given you solely have lower than a half hour to kind issues out, you’ll be doing that so much. The entire thing is ready in a city (district?) referred to as Orten, and other people will likely be going about their enterprise as you go about yours. Going again in time naturally reverses something you probably did, however you retain your data and any clues you might need found out. The course of the sport will see you spending a while with every of the various colourful characters within the neighborhood, and the entire thing wraps up inside a number of hours relying on how rapidly you possibly can kind out what it’s essential to do.

Figuring that out might be tough at instances, however that’s the same old enterprise with journey video games. You’ll be able to solely carry two gadgets at a time, and that may be annoying at instances because it may end up in required backtracking. The true subject right here is that the sport tries its hand at some motion bits, and it’s by no means good. There was one fight sequence early on that nearly had me stop the sport proper on the spot due to how poor the collision detection was. Journey video games don’t want motion, so until it may be achieved effectively I’d want it simply be not noted. There are a number of mini-games in right here, and I truly don’t thoughts that. It makes the world really feel extra alive. However when it’s required to finish one for development, that’s when issues can get tough.

Should you loved doing time loops to assist out all of the folks in Clock city in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks, you’ll in all probability have some primary appreciation of how Orten Was The Case is ready up. It’s actually an fascinating sport, and it does an excellent job of investing you in its little neighborhood and the oddballs who reside there. Some awkward puzzles pull the expertise down a little bit, however what hurts it essentially the most is the pointless addition of motion sequences that simply fall flat. Those that can forgive a number of critical tough edges would possibly discover this an honest night’s leisure.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

Rogue Glitch Extremely ($11.99)

This sport feels unfastened and messy plenty of the time, and I typically don’t take to each other with video games like that. The procedural technology may end up in some very awkward degree layouts and enemy placements, and it’s very easy to take hits if you suppose you’re secure. And but someway I had fun anyway. It’s a simple sport to dip out and in of, and I’ve at all times acquired room for these in my life. Since your character auto-attacks, it begins to really feel like there’s some Vampire Survivors chocolate within the bite-sized platforming peanut butter. There’s a ridiculous quantity of weapons to search out and use, and a few unlockable characters to supply that meta-progress taste all the children take pleasure in.

Rogue Glitch Extremely is in plenty of methods as customary a roguelite platformer expertise as you could possibly think about. That isn’t to say it doesn’t have distinct components, nevertheless it scratches the identical itch that the majority video games of this kind do. I like how simple it’s to get into, and the web mode actually provides some further spice when you can set it up. It may be irritating if you take some hits that really feel unavoidable as a result of approach issues are generated, and it will probably typically be too chaotic for its personal good, however I loved Rogue Glitch Extremely effectively sufficient.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

DREDGE: The Pale Attain DLC ($5.99)

The Pale Attain offers you a little bit extra DREDGE to take pleasure in. An hour or two, which isn’t too shabby for the worth. It provides one other island to the sport, roughly, and meaning extra fish to catch and some extra quests to finish. The gimmick right here is that it’s very frosty, and also you’ll have to interrupt by the ice. You are able to do this content material at any time, nevertheless it’s finest to do it earlier than the tip sport when you can. The rewards don’t imply a complete lot in any other case. What’s right here is well-done, with the identical barely sinister environment that makes the primary sport stand out.

I can’t assist however want there was a little bit extra meat on the bones of The Pale Attain, particularly with this being the primary correct paid add-on for the sport and all. I don’t thoughts its brevity this time, but when that is what we are able to anticipate from any future expansions, I’m unsure what number of I’d be up for. simply doesn’t really feel important or substantial, and I wish to see at the very least a kind of two in any growth I decide up. Nonetheless, if you wish to prolong your enjoyment of DREDGE with one other slice of well-made stuff, The Pale Attain will try this a lot for you.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

New Releases

The Bin Bunch

Zumaji Delux ($9.99)

Metropolis Bus Driver Simulator ($11.99)

Bulldozer Tycoon: Building Simulator ($9.99)

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

The oldsters behind the Piczle video games have a brand new one popping out quickly, and I think about this newest sale is in anticipation of that. Why not atone for them, when you’ve acquired some money and time? I like to recommend the Puzzle & Watch one for its actually cool presentation. Over within the outbox, the newest Arcade Archives sale is wrapping up. As ordinary, most of those video games won’t ever be on sale once more. Even those that repeat may be years earlier than seeing one other sale. Store accordingly.

Choose New Gross sales

Tremendous Cyborg ($2.09 from $6.99 till 12/25)
The Medium: Cloud Model ($27.49 from $49.99 till 12/29)
Fearmonium ($10.39 from $12.99 till 12/29)
Piczle Colours ($2.49 from $12.00 till 12/29)
Piczle Cells ($1.99 from $4.99 till 12/29)
Piczle Traces DX ($2.99 from $14.99 till 12/29)
Piczle Traces DX 500 Extra Puzzles ($1.99 from $9.99 till 12/29)
Piczle Traces 2: Into the Puzzleverse ($7.99 from $14.99 till 12/29)
Piczle Puzzle & Watch Assortment ($1.99 from $7.99 till 12/29)
Homicide on the Marine Specific ($1.99 from $4.99 till 12/29)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, December twelfth

ACA NEOGEO Actual Bout Deadly Fury 2 ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
ACA NEOGEO Shock Troopers 2nd Squad ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
ACA NEOGEO The King of Fighters 2001 ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
ACA NEOGEO Prime Participant’s Golf ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
ACA NEOGEO Zed Blade ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
Arcade Archives Frisky Tom ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
Arcade Archives Penguin-Kun Wars ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
Arcade Archives Tremendous Volleyball ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
Arcade Archives Process Pressure Harrier ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
Arcade Archives Thunder Dragon ($3.99 from $7.99 till 12/12)
Chasm: The Rift ($7.99 from $19.99 till 12/12)
Farming Simulator 23 ($34.99 from $44.99 till 12/12)
Growbot ($13.99 from $19.99 till 12/12)
Headbangers: Rhythm Royale ($14.99 from $19.99 till 12/12)
Lamplight Metropolis ($10.49 from $14.99 till 12/12)
Mutropolis ($12.99 from $19.99 till 12/12)
Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet ($9.99 from $19.99 till 12/12)
Sonority ($13.99 from $19.99 till 12/12)
The Longing ($11.24 from $14.99 till 12/12)
Unexpected Incidents ($13.99 from $19.99 till 12/12)
Venba ($11.99 from $14.99 till 12/12)

That’s all for immediately, pals. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra evaluations, extra new releases, extra gross sales, and maybe some information. I truly fell asleep holding my Change final night time, which is in regards to the state of attempting to atone for my evaluations. I’ll get there quickly sufficient. I hope you all have an impressive Monday, and as at all times, thanks for studying!