Nintendo Direct Live, 'EGGCONSOLE Star Trader' Review

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a review and a look at new releases. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales rundown. Let's dive in!

News

Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap

As predicted by some industry insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation featured a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. While no first-party titles were revealed, and there was no mention of the next-gen Switch console, the show offered plenty of interesting announcements. You can watch the full presentation above; a detailed summary of the key highlights will follow tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without understanding Japanese? Star Trader is an intriguing, though not exceptional, title. Falcom blends adventure game elements with side-scrolling shooter stages, but neither aspect shines. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, and the shooter's attempt at narrative integration is unique. Gameplay involves interacting with characters, undertaking quests, and earning money to upgrade your ship – crucial for navigating the challenging shooter segments.

The shooter sections, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky scrolling. Even with smooth scrolling, the gameplay might not be exceptional. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader proves more interesting than truly good. This leads to the language barrier issue. The adventure parts are text-heavy, requiring player input for optimal outcomes. Without understanding Japanese, you'll miss half the game and struggle with the other half due to insufficient credits. While brute-forcing is possible, it won't be a satisfying experience.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer experimenting outside their usual genre. However, the extensive Japanese text significantly hinders enjoyment for Western audiences. While some might find it mildly entertaining, a strong recommendation is difficult.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat banished from the afterlife for misbehaving. Pluto's eternal punishment? Cleaning! Explore, battle enemies with a broom, meet quirky characters, defeat bosses, and upgrade abilities. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely check it out.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, consider the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other noteworthy titles on sale include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider collection. Check out the lists for more details!

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of sales ending tomorrow)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a deeper dive into the Nintendo Direct announcements, along with new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!