Reviewers Featuring ‘The Mageseeker’ & ‘DNF Duel’, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales – TouchArcade

Howdy mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for April twenty fourth, 2023. In at this time’s article, we’ve received a full evaluate from our pal Mikhail of The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story, plus a number of smaller evaluations from me of various video games together with Panic Porcupine, DNF Duel: Who’s Subsequent, and God of Rock. After that, there are a number of new releases to take a look at, plus a somewhat giant listing of recent gross sales. Let’s get going with the week!

Critiques & Mini-Views

The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story ($29.99)

Riot Video games’ Riot Forge initiative has been nice at increasing the attain of the world and lore of League of Legends by way of premium releases to audiences that may’ve not skilled the supply materials. As the latest Riot Forge launch, The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story had my curiosity because the begin because of it being developed by Digital Solar who introduced us the wonderful Moonlighter. Regardless of having fun with Battlechasers Nightwar from Airship Syndicate quite a bit, I by no means received round to taking part in Ruined King by the identical builders. I wasn’t about to make the identical mistake with this launch.

Earlier than entering into The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story itself, my expertise with League of Legends is restricted to the little time I spent taking part in Wild Rift and Riot’s different cellular video games whereas having fun with Okay/DA’s music. I needed to see if The Mageseeker can be a terrific sport even for somebody like me, and it exceeded nearly all my expectations, nevertheless it has two main points in its present state on Nintendo Change.

The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story has you taking part in as Sylas who has damaged away from the Mageseekers. Sylas has the flexibility to steal spells as an necessary a part of fight, which is in any other case comparatively simple. The highlights, barring the stunning animations right here, are undoubtedly with the boss battles and beautiful areas you discover. The mechanic to steal spells additionally applies to traversal in components. Whereas the magic system is likely to be a bit too advanced for the way it performs out in-game, I really feel like there’s a number of potential right here for future DLC or entries like this.

On Nintendo Change, The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story is a bit mushy visually relying on what mode you play it on, and it has some efficiency points, however nothing too unhealthy. In case you are delicate to inconsistent body pacing, I’d get it elsewhere. I received used to it and loved my time with The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story quite a bit on my OLED mannequin Change, the place it seems to be beautiful.

Talking of trying beautiful, I actually hope we get an artbook launched for the sport that’s accessible exterior the costly collector’s version. The artwork and music are distinctive right here. With Digital Solar concerned, I anticipated this, nevertheless it actually shocked me as I received deeper into the story.

The one situation on the audio aspect is the shortage of full voice performing. The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story is a $30 sport with extra non-compulsory DLC accessible, and it actually would have benefited from voice performing for the cut-scenes. Hopefully Digital Solar and Riot Forge can work collectively on one other sport like this and embody voice performing.

Whereas the shortage of voice performing is one thing that actually dissatisfied me with how good different points are, I nonetheless suggest The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story to anybody searching for a high quality motion RPG with nice music and beautiful pixel artwork. As somebody who loves Moonlighter, I hope Digital Solar retains delivering on video games prefer it and The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story going ahead. –Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

God of Rock ($29.99)

The one who chases two rabbits, catches neither. That well-known quote isn’t as universally relevant because it generally is introduced to be, however I believe it suits God of Rock. It’s attempting to take two common aggressive genres and smash them collectively right into a cool new factor. At occasions it feels prefer it may achieve its wild ambitions, however finally it simply will get caught between the 2 genres it’s attempting to merge. An excessive amount of of a fighter to be rhythm sport, an excessive amount of of a rhythm sport to be fighter.

You’re meant to battle your opponents by decreasing their life meter to nothing. You are able to do primary assaults by hitting the buttons on the board as they hit the candy spot, and also can pull off some particular strikes by coming into some instructions. The longer a spherical goes on, the trickier the observe board will get. Because you and your opponent are each taking part in, there are two observe boards on display. They’re small and it took me a very long time to reliably keep in mind which buttons corresponded to which lane. It was tough to make use of particular strikes with out messing up on the observe board, too. Rounds are likely to go on some time, a bit longer than you’d in all probability favor in both a fighter or a rhythm sport. Enjoying towards one other participant who’s coping with related points might be enjoyable, however battles towards the CPU get tiresome in a rush.

I believe some individuals on the market are going to essentially join with God of Rock and like it to items, however I regretfully gained’t be considered one of them. Even after spending a number of time with the sport I couldn’t get snug with it, and taking part in on the hand-held display with the tiny observe board is simply not a enjoyable time. I believe a number of effort and thought went into this experimental sport design, particularly in direction of making it a satisfying multiplayer sport, and it reveals. However in the long run, I don’t assume the developer was in a position to make this recipe come collectively.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3/5

DNF Duel: Who’s Subsequent ($49.99)

Arc System Works is aware of easy methods to make one-on-one fighter. If you wish to make a combating sport out of your anime or sport IP, Arc will do it with fashion and competence. And that’s precisely what DNF Duel is: fashionable and competent. It’s packed to the brim with modes and story content material that followers of the DNF franchise will adore, and the incorporation of magic factors into the combating system is a thematically acceptable twist. You get a pleasant number of characters to select from, and the story mode for every isn’t a half effort by any means. You additionally get the standard Arc presentation oomph, although it’s turning into clear that the Change’s specs are inflicting increasingly pressure over time.

So sure, DNF Duel is an effective combating sport. Should you aren’t a fan of the model then you definately may really feel a bit misplaced with the story content material, nevertheless it’s arduous to argue towards together with that form of factor given you possibly can simply play the opposite modes if you happen to’re not into it. Those that benefit from the style or the IP are going to have time with the sport. However this Change model carries some caveats. The visible high quality suffers in comparison with different variations, with a decrease decision and a few blurriness. It doesn’t look horrible or something, and it runs effectively sufficient whilst you’re combating. The net play is an enormous situation, with delay-based code as a substitute of the rollback code present in different variations. Which means you’re extra more likely to run into some lag points, that means the web expertise right here is inferior.

DNF Duel: Who’s Subsequent is an gratifying one-on-one fighter that does its IP proud. Whereas I wouldn’t suggest it over the likes of Dragon Ball FighterZ or Persona 4 Enviornment Ultimax, it serves as one other strong entry within the style on Change. Those that have the choice to play it on one other platform would in all probability be higher to take action, notably in the event that they imply to play on-line. The delay-based netcode and barely muddy visuals are sufficient to make this model the clear lesser alternative until portability is a make-or-break characteristic for you. Nonetheless, taken by itself deserves, this Change model isn’t a foul sport in any respect.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

Panic Porcupine ($7.99)

What a pleasant little shock this turned out to be. As soon as I noticed who the developer was it made a number of sense. Spicy Gyro Video games additionally made the somewhat gratifying video games Polyroll and Conflict Pressure, so it’s little surprise that Panic Porcupine is one other pleasing romp. It’s intentionally evoking Sonic the Hedgehog, outright parodying it within the opening cutscene. Every stage sees you zipping by way of small Sonic-style phases with the same set of strikes. You’ll be able to run, you possibly can soar, and you may ball as much as improve your pace. The physics roughly observe its guidelines, too.

You need to gather the entire animals on every stage and seize as many eggs as you possibly can on the way in which. You’ll even be timed, and the sport retains observe of the very best ones. The degrees are bite-sized however difficult, and there aren’t any rings to save lots of you right here. One hit and also you’ll be again firstly. You may have infinite lives which suggests you possibly can infinitely die. The problem actually ramps up as you go, and attempting to get the entire eggs takes some considering even early on.

Should you like platformers, notably the precision sort, you’ll in all probability have a extremely good time with Panic Porcupine. Certain, it’s resting its hat on one other sport, nevertheless it’s doing so intentionally and with a wink. The controls are good, the physics are acquainted, and the extent designs are excellent. It has all of the hallmarks of a fairly nice indie platformer, and I’m going to go forward and conclude that it’s precisely considered one of them.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5

New Releases

Smile For Me ($14.99)

Right here’s an off-the-wall point-and-click fashion journey sport. You need to assist the bizarre residents of a spot referred to as the Habitat and finally unmask Physician Behavior. There are some puzzles to unravel and loads of characters to speak to, and by that I imply nod and shake to. Your character is silent, in any case. I’ll have a evaluate of this one as quickly as I can. The queue is fairly full in the intervening time.

Itorah ($19.99)

The colourful visuals are very nice on this sport, I’ve to say. That is technically a Metroidvania, nevertheless it’s pretty linear in apply. You play as Itorah, who is seemingly the final human on the planet. There are many masked characters about, nevertheless, and also you’ll should work together with them to unravel the story of the sport. Other than the putting setting, this follows the standard guidelines the place you earn new talents as you undergo the sport, opening up new traversal choices. Critiques haven’t been beautiful on different platforms, however maybe Change house owners will take to it higher.

Street Builder ($8.99)

The thought on this one is that you simply construct roads from one level to the opposite, ensuring you keep inside price range. The extra environment friendly your roads are, the extra easily site visitors will stream. It looks as if a chill puzzler, although I don’t know if it has that chunk I like in video games like this.

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

A surprisingly great amount of video games on sale at this time. The Golden Week gross sales in Japan are going to start out rolling out this week, and a number of them will in all probability filter over to the eShops in different areas. For instance, at this time’s Koei Tecmo gross sales are a part of that. Not associated to that’s the newest sale from Restricted Run Video games, with their digital choices accessible at reductions. Take a look by way of the listing, and test the outbox whilst you’re at it. I imply, Disco Elysium is in there. You’ll be able to’t go fallacious.

Choose New Video games on Sale

Tremendous Kiwi 64 ($2.39 from $2.99 till 4/28)
Zoeti ($17.99 from $19.99 till 4/28)
APICO ($11.99 from $19.99 till 4/29)
Rytmos ($10.00 from $15.00 till 4/29)
Spy Bros. ($6.39 from $7.99 till 4/30)
Escape Room Bundle ($20.99 from $34.99 till 5/1)
Anima Gate of Recollections AE ($5.99 from $29.99 till 5/1)
Knight Squad 2 ($9.74 from $14.99 till 5/1)
Sudoku Zenkai ($2.49 from $4.99 till 5/1)
Lucie’s Potager ($14.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Blossom Tales II TMP ($10.49 from $14.99 till 5/2)
A Little Golf Journey ($11.99 from $19.99 till 5/2)
BPM Bullets Per Minute ($17.49 from $24.99 till 5/2)
Demon Turf ($14.99 from $24.99 till 5/2)
Lil Gator Sport ($13.99 from $19.99 till 5/2)

Bone’s Cafe ($10.49 from $14.99 till 5/2)
Phoenotopia Awakening ($8.99 from $19.99 till 5/6)
Simply Dance 2023 Deluxe ($31.49 from $69.99 till 5/6)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle ($19.99 from $39.99 till 5/6)
Commander Eager in Eager Desires ($1.99 from $4.99 till 5/7)
Night time Entice twenty fifth Anniversary ($3.74 from $14.99 till 5/7)
Double Change twenty fifth Anniversary ($3.74 from $14.99 till 5/7)
Corpse Killer twenty fifth Anniversary ($3.74 from $14.99 till 5/7)
Pictooi ($2.49 from $9.99 till 5/7)
Revenge of the Hen King ($2.49 from $4.99 till 5/7)
Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive ($3.74 from $14.99 till 5/7)
The Home in Fata Morgana ($29.99 from $39.99 till 5/7)
Saturday Morning RPG ($2.49 from $9.99 till 5/7)
Alfonzo’s Arctic Journey ($2.49 from $4.99 till 5/7)
Cthulhu Saves Christmas ($2.49 from $9.99 till 5/7)

Cosmic Star Heroine ($3.72 from $14.99 till 5/7)
Monster Ladies & Mysterious Adv. 2 ($17.59 from $21.99 till 5/8)
Cosmo Dreamer ($5.74 from $8.20 till 5/8)
The Hundred Yr Kingdom ($6.44 from $12.99 till 5/8)
Monmusu Gladiator ($4.19 from $5.99 till 5/8)
Puzzle Battler Mirai ($3.99 from $7.99 till 5/8)
Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX ($20.99 from $29.99 till 5/9)
Samurai Warriors 5 ($35.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Warriors Orochi 4 Final ($35.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV ($41.99 from $69.99 till 5/9)
Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends DE ($27.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Deadly Body: Masks of the Lunar Eclipse ($37.49 from $49.99 till 5/9)
Deadly Body: Maiden of Black Water ($29.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Lydie & Suelle ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Firis ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)

Atelier Escha & Logy ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Ayesha ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Lulua ($29.99 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Meruru ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Shallie ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Rorona ($25.99 from $39.99 till 5/9)
Atelier Totori ($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)
Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists ($19.79 from $59.99 till 5/9)
Bridge Strike ($1.99 type $6.99 till 5/9)
Missile Dancer ($6.99 from $9.99 till 5/12)
Gemini Arms ($6.64 from $9.49 till 5/12)
Raging Blasters ($10.29 from $14.70 till 5/12)
Madoris R ($4.00 from $5.00 till 5/12)

Venture Highrise: AE ($7.99 from $39.99 till 5/12)
Refreshing Sideways Puzzle Ghost Hammer ($16.79 from $27.99 till 5/12)
Sushi Reversi ($9.99 from $13.99 till 5/12)
Magical Ladies ($4.00 from $5.00 till 5/12)
Magical Ladies 2nd Magic ($3.99 from $4.99 till 5/12)
Gentle of Life ($3.99 from $4.99 till 5/12)
Moon Dancer ($134.29 from $18.99 till 5/13)
Grand Mountain Journey: Wonderlands ($17.49 from $34.99 till 5/13)
Oddworld: Soulstorm ($29.99 from $49.99 till 5/13)
New Joe & Mac Caveman Ninja ($17.99 from $29.99 till 5/13)
XIII ($19.99 from $39.99 till 5/13)
Smurfs Kart ($23.99 from $39.99 till 5/13)
Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot TFC ($11.99 from $29.99 till 5/13)
Past a Metal Sky ($15.99 from $39.99 till 5/13)
Zombie is Planting ($2.19 from $10.99 till 5/13)
Counter Recon 2: The New Struggle ($8.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)

Ladies Tank Battle ($2.19 from $10.99 till 5/13)
Bullet Battle: Evolution ($2.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Lifeless Rain: New Zombie Virus ($6.59 from $10.99 till 5/13)
World Class Champion Soccer ($6.59 from $10.99 till 5/13)
Haunted Zombie Slaughter ($10.49 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Crime Busters: Strike Space ($11.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
World Struggle: Prologue ($11.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch ($23.99 from $39.99 till 5/13)
Bunker Life ($10.49 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Animus ($2.15 from $7.99 till 5/13)
Animus: Harbinger ($2.15 from $7.99 till 5/13)
Animus: Revenant ($6.20 from $22.99 till 5/13)
World Struggle: Tank Battle ($5.54 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Fashionable Struggle: Tank Battle ($5.54 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Redden: 100denarii ($2.15 from $7.99 till 5/13)

Haunted Daybreak: The Zombie Apocalypse ($4.04 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Automobile+Toon Race: RVC ($4.06 from $10.99 till 5/13)
Counter Recon: The First Mission ($4.04 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Counter Delta: The Bullet Rain ($5.54 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Counter Crossline: Crime Struggle ($5.54 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Demong Hunter ($2.15 from $7.99 till 5/13)
Final 4 Alive: Escape From Zombies ($2.96 from $10.99 till 5/13)
Darkish Water: Slime Invader ($4.04 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Dungeon Limbus ($4.04 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Area Stella: The Unknown Planet ($5.54 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Area Genesis ($5.54 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Off the Tracks ($3.51 from $4.39 till 5/13)
Haunted Zombie College ($5.54 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Rift Keeper ($4.99 from $9.99 till 5/14)
A Winter’s Daydream ($2.99 from $5.99 till 5/14)
Stellatum ($4.99 from $9.99 till 5/14)
Burn! SuperTrucks ($2.07 from $7.99 till 5/14)
FootGoal! Tiki Taka ($1.99 from $4.99 till 5/14)
Blood Waves ($4.99 from $9.99 till 5/14)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, April twenty fifth

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX ($6.79 from $19.99 till 4/25)
Crash Drive 2 ($1.99 from $8.99 till 4/25)
Crash Drive 3 ($1.99 from $19.99 till 4/25)
Disco Elysium: The Closing Reduce ($13.99 from $39.99 till 4/25)
Fury Unleashed ($4.99 from $19.99 till 4/25)
Haiku, the Robotic ($13.99 from $19.99 till 4/25)
Right here Be Dragons ($4.49 from $17.99 till 4/25)
Scorching Lap League: Deluxe Version ($1.99 from $19.99 till 4/25)
I, Zombie ($1.99 from $4.99 till 4/25)
Marooners ($1.99 from $14.99 till 4/25)
Monster Harvest ($4.99 from $19.99 till 4/25)
Robo Revenge Squad ($10.00 from $20.00 till 4/25)
Slime Rancher: Plortable ($12.49 from $24.99 till 4/25)
Tremendous Soccer Blast ($3.99 from $7.99 till 4/25)
Tremendous Tennis Blast ($4.49 from $14.99 till 4/25)
Tremendous Volley Blast ($4.99 from $9.99 till 4/25)
The Lightbringer ($4.49 from $14.99 till 4/25)
Time on Frog Island ($8.49 from $24.99 till 4/25)
Void Jail ($2.00 from $2.99 till 4/25)

That’s all for at this time, pals. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra evaluations, extra new releases, extra gross sales, and possibly some information. We’re going to have a number of evaluations for you over the course of this week and subsequent, as everybody determined to launch all of their video games on the similar time for some purpose. Please look ahead to it. I hope you all have a powerful Monday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!