Reviews Featuring ‘Terra Flame’ and More, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales – TouchArcade

Hey mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for Might eighth, 2023. In right this moment’s article, we begin issues off with a trio of opinions for some recently-released indie video games. Shoot-em-up Terra Flame, puzzler Gematombe, and run-and-gun Wild Canine are all within the chair of judgement right this moment, and solely those that proceed studying will know the way that seems. There are a number of new releases to take a look at, and that’s simply what we’ll do. Throw within the regular lists of latest and expiring gross sales and that’s about it. Let’s get to it!

Opinions & Mini-Views

Terra Flame ($19.99)

Developer Terarin is a taking pictures sport fan who makes taking pictures video games, and his output is each unsurprising and stunning with that in thoughts. On the one hand, his video games have lots of fascinating mechanics to discover and are usually geared in the direction of rating assaults. Those that benefit from the style and are well-versed in its historical past will discover rather a lot to love in any of Terarin’s video games, and Terra Flame isn’t any exception. It’s a uncommon foray into horizontal taking pictures from the developer, and he takes the chance to riff on video games like Thunder Drive, Darius, and extra. Should you like aiming for top scores, you’re effectively taken care of right here with scoring system, a Caravan mode, and on-line leaderboards.

What’s much less anticipated is that Terarin’s shooters are additionally relatively beginner-friendly. The core gimmicks are often straightforward sufficient to choose up and revel in, and the issue on the decrease settings isn’t overly demanding. Terra Flame isn’t as flashy as a few of its friends when it comes to visuals, but it surely appears to be like good and the soundtrack is great. You get a pleasant number of places to journey via, the enemy patterns are enjoyable to be taught, and the boss battles are cool. The weapon switching mechanic on the coronary heart of the sport is as straightforward to make use of as bear in mind which button is which, and it’s enjoyable to determine which one you need to be utilizing the place. You can even energy up your shot by shedding the fireplace button, including one other fascinating twist to construct into your technique.

Whether or not you’re a hardened veteran of the shoot-em-up style or a newcomer searching for entry level, Terra Flame is a stable selection. It appears to be like and sounds nice, the gameplay is good and snappy, and the mechanics are fascinating to play with. Simply making your manner via the eight-stage marketing campaign is a pleasure, however with further issue settings, considerate scoring mechanics, an intense Caravan mode, and on-line leaderboards, there’s lots right here to maintain you coming again for extra.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5

Gematombe ($14.99)

I like lots of issues about Gematombe. Its mash-up of brick-breaking and falling-block puzzler jogs my memory of Taito’s Puchi Carat, and that’s not unhealthy firm to be in. The presentation is charming and matches the period of gaming it attracts inspiration from to a tee. You get a number of completely different modes to take pleasure in, and there’s a good bit right here when it comes to single-player content material to go alongside the native multiplayer mode.

The thought of the gameplay is that you’ve a subject of gems of various colours. You launch a ball at them to interrupt them, and should you break a bunch in a row you’ll ship some rubbish blocks to your opponent. You need to catch the ball when it comes again, and should you miss you’ll find yourself with some additional gems of your personal. The match is over both when one participant clears their board or will get crushed by the falling gems. It really works effectively sufficient, however as you play you would possibly discover that the motion by no means actually heats up. Matches drag on for manner too lengthy, and the ball by no means quickens. That is in all probability to make it in order that it’s simpler to catch, however I ended up discovering it slightly boring consequently.

Should you don’t thoughts a slower-paced puzzler, Gematombe may be of curiosity to you. Its elementary guidelines and gameplay mechanics work effectively, the artwork fashion is vibrant and interesting, and it provides lots of methods to play. These searching for a speedier affair would possibly discover this one slightly plodding for his or her liking, and its lack of any form of on-line multiplayer or leaderboards additionally hurts it slightly. Not unhealthy for a primary try, however I might think about a sequel that builds on issues and actually takes it to a different degree.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

Wild Canine ($9.99)

It takes all of fifteen seconds to type out what sport this one pays homage to. This sport is closely impressed by Contra, with many mechanics from Contra III particularly popping up. It’s offered with a Sport Boy-style look, and you may swap between a lot of palettes. Even the weapons are extraordinarily acquainted, and the unfold shot stays king. There are a few instances it breaks away from the run-and-gun formulation to spice issues up, however they’re not precisely the shining moments of the sport. Nonetheless, the sport performs effectively sufficient that run-and-fun followers received’t be disillusioned.

Wild Canine isn’t with out its points. The bosses drag on a bit too lengthy due to their excessive HP, among the gimmick sections aren’t terribly enjoyable, and the sport simply can’t get out of the shadow of the sport it’s paying homage to and lacks a lot id of its personal consequently. It’s additionally single-player solely, which is unlucky given how a lot of an attraction level that was for Konami’s shooter. However it will get sufficient of that Contra power proper that followers of the collection will probably have time stomping via it, and possibly that’s sufficient.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

New Releases

Poosh XL ($4.99)

Adamvision Studios has a stable knack for making fulfilling, easy, arcade-style video games and Poosh XL is one other nice instance. It’s a one-button sport the place you all you could do is “poosh” with good timing. It’s an countless sport the place you’re attempting to get an ever-higher rating, so should you take pleasure in that sort of factor you then’ll wish to give this a glance. Like Adamvision’s Atari Recharged video games, there are additionally a bunch of additional challenges you’ll be able to full should you’re searching for slightly extra spice. Good enjoyable, good value.

Scrap Bolts ($9.99)

A easy platformer the place you play as slightly robotic on a wheel who’s attempting to gather all of the bolts on every stage. I don’t assume I’d decide it up at ten bucks, but it surely appears prime to be an everyday member of the deep low cost membership.

Van Van Up – Automotive Driving Video games Final Expertise Simulator ($9.99)

Midnight Works has one other easy driving sport so as to add to the huge pile within the eShop. This one’s gimmick is that the roads are bizarre. Properly, do what you’ll.

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

Not a really massive record of latest gross sales right this moment, however Thalamus is having a sale on its full line and it’s all just about value grabbing. I significantly loved Millie and Molly and Demise Ray Manta SE, if you would like someplace to begin. Over within the outbox, a complete lot of RPGs are wrapping up their newest gross sales. The entire Atelier line and most of Sq. Enix’s catalog will likely be heading again to regular costs once more very quickly, so seize whereas the grabbing’s good.

Choose New Video games on Sale

Components Bit Racing DX ($3.49 from $4.99 till 5/19)
Demon Pores and skin ($7.99 from $9.99 till 5/20)
Overcooked! All You Can Eat ($15.99 from $39.99 till 5/21)
Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos ($4.99 from $19.99 till 5/21)
Form Neon Chaos ($1.99 from $30.00 till 5/26)
Lila’s Story & the Hidden Forest ($3.49 from $4.99 till 5/26)
Gruta ($3.99 from $4.99 till 5/26)
Scrap Bolts ($1.99 from $9.99 till 5/27)
Railbound ($9.74 from $12.99 till 5/29)
Cardful Planning ($1.99 from $4.99 till 5/29)

Millie and Molly ($1.99 from $4.99 till 5/29)
Lumo ($1.99 from $19.95 till 5/29)
LOVE: A Puzzle Field ($1.99 from $19.99 till 5/29)
Destructivator SE ($1.99 from $4.99 till 5/29)
Rainbow Laser Disco Dungeon ($1.99 from $9.99 till 5/29)
Bezier Second Version ($1.99 from $19.99 till 5/29)
Rogue Aces ($1.99 from $12.99 till 5/29)
Phrase Ahead ($1.99 from $4.99 till 5/29)
Demise Ray Manta SE ($1.99 from $10.00 till 5/29)
Buddy Simulator 1984 ($6.66 from $9.99 till 5/29)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, Might ninth

ActRaiser Renaissance ($17.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Ayesha ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Escha & Logy ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Firis ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Lulua ($29.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Lydie & Suelle ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Meruru ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Rorona ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Shallie ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Sophie ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Sophie 2 ($38.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Totori ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Balan Wonderworld ($11.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Bridge Strike ($1.99 type $6.99 till 5/9)
Buried Stars ($13.49 from $44.99 till 5/9)

Youngsters of Morta ($5.49 from $21.99 till 5/9)
Assortment of Mana ($19.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Assortment of SaGa FFL ($11.99 from $19.99 till 5/9)
Dragon Quest Treasures ($35.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Dungeon Encounters ($14.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends DE ($27.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Deadly Body: Maiden of Black Water ($29.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Deadly Body: Masks of the Lunar Eclipse ($37.49 from $49.99 till 5/9)
Ultimate Fantasy IX ($10.49 from $20.99 till 5/9)
Ultimate Fantasy VII ($7.99 from $15.99 till 5/9)
Ultimate Fantasy VIII Remastered ($9.99 from $19.99 till 5/9)
Ultimate Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster ($24.99 from $49.99 till 5/9)
Ultimate Fantasy XII TZA ($24.99 from $49.99 till 5/9)
Ultimate Fantasy XV Pocket Version ($11.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Harvestella ($29.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)

Kingdom Hearts Integrum Cloud Vers. ($44.99 from $89.99 till 5/9)
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Reminiscence ($29.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Legend of Mana ($14.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX ($20.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Moonlighter ($3.74 from $24.99 till 5/9)
Mosaic Chronicles Deluxe ($1.99 from $12.99 till 5/9)
Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists ($19.79 from $59.99 till 5/9)
NEO The World Ends with You ($29.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
NieR:Automata The Finish of YoRHa ($29.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Paranormasight: Seven Mysteries ($15.99 from $19.99 till 5/9)
Rain on Your Parade ($7.49 from $14.99 till 5/9)
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV ($41.99 from $69.99 till 5/9)
Romancing SaGa 2 ($7.49 from $24.99 till 5/9)
Romancing SaGa 3 ($8.69 from $28.99 till 5/9)
Romancing SaGa Minstrel Track ($21.24 from $24.99 till 5/9)

SaGa Frontier Remastered ($14.99 from $24.99 till 5/9)
SaGa Scarlet Grace Ambitions ($8.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Samurai Warriors 5 ($35.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Spelunker Celebration ($8.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Techniques Ogre Reborn ($32.99 from $49.99 till 5/9)
The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story ($24.99 from $49.99 till 5/9)
The Diofield Chronicle ($29.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
The Wreck ($15.99 from $19.99 till 5/9)
Trials of Mana ($24.99 from $49.99 till 5/9)
Varied Daylife ($19.13 from $28.99 till 5/9)
Voice of Playing cards: Beasts of Burden ($17.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Voice of Playing cards: Isle Dragon Roars ($17.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Voice of Playing cards: The Forsaken Maiden ($17.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Voodoo Detective ($7.49 from $14.99 till 5/9)
Warriors Orochi 4 Final ($35.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Wild Romance ($6.99 from $9.99 till 5/9)

That’s all for right this moment, mates. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra new releases, extra gross sales, and maybe some opinions and information. I spent manner an excessive amount of time enjoying PowerWash Simulator this previous weekend. I actually shouldn’t be allowed to load that sport up ever. Oh effectively. I hope you all have a powerful Monday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!