Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for January 17th, 2023. In today’s article, we’ve got a review of Joymasher and The Arcade Crew’s slick 16-bit action homage Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. After that, there are a few new releases to look at, and the usual lists of new and expiring discounts on the eShop. Not the busiest of days, but the end of the week will make up for it. Let’s get to work!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider ($16.99)
Moonrider is developer Joymasher’s fourth release on the Nintendo Switch, following Oniken, Odallus, and Blazing Chrome. I wish I could say it was exactly on par with the latter, as Blazing Chrome was one of the better stabs at the run-and-gun genre I’ve seen from an indie developer. Moonrider isn’t quite that good, falling closer on the spectrum to Oniken and Odallus. That’s not a bad place to be, mind you. Those are both good games, after all. A solid bit of weekend entertainment.
While the robot ninja motif quickly calls games like Shinobi, Strider, Hagane, and perhaps even Ninja Gaiden to mind, its bones more closely resemble the Mega Man X series than anything else. After an introductory stage you can choose which order you tackle the next batch of stages in, and defeating the bosses in each will give you access to an assortment of extra weapons. You can also find optional upgrades hidden in each stage if you poke around. It’s also quite heavy on dashing and wall climbing. As homages to that mighty franchise go, it’s an enjoyable one. Unfortunately, it’s also just as brief as the average X game. You’ll likely wrap it up within a few hours, even if you’re trying to find everything.
Moonrider has an excellent presentation, and the controls are just as responsive as you would hope. The game throws out a lot of fun little twists as you make your way through its stages that ensure things always stay fresh. While it falls a bit short of the fantastic Blazing Chrome and ends a little earlier than I’d prefer, this is still a fine classic-style romp that fans of 2D action games will have no trouble getting into.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
New Releases
Mrs. Cat Between Worlds ($4.99)
This is a pretty standard precision platformer, with all the moves and tricks you would expect. You actually get two games here, with fifty levels each. Avoid the hazards, collect the gems, and make your way to the exit on each level. You’re a cat, so that counts for something at least.
RE:CALL ($19.99)
This is a puzzle-adventure game, but I can’t really figure out exactly how the gameplay works from the description. It talks about manipulating your memories to shape the future, but I’m not sure what that entails. It comes from the same developer as the excellent Evan’s Remains, though, so it’s probably worth paying attention to.
Switch Sides ($1.00)
This is a handheld-only game where you have to keep rolling your ball and picking up the goobers for as long as you can without falling off the platform. You have to switch sides regularly to make sure you don’t roll too far in any one direction. It’s a buck.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Not much in the inbox today. The cute bullet hell shooter Cosmo Dreamer has its first post-release sale, and JellyCar Worlds is hitting a new low price. Over in the outbox, Kairosoft’s latest sale is finishing up along with games like Children of Morta, Moonlighter, and This War of Mine. Give both lists a look; it won’t take too much time today.
Select New Games on Sale
Go Rally ($14.99 from $20.00 until 1/21)
Cosmo Dreamer ($6.56 from $8.20 until 1/23)
JellyCar Worlds ($6.79 from $7.99 until 1/24)
BOT.vinnik Chess 2 ($2.39 from $2.99 until 1/30)
Shmup Collection ($7.49 from $14.99 until 1/30)
Wingspan ($9.99 from $19.99 until 1/30)
Finding Teddy 2 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 1/30)
Beacon Pines ($15.99 from $19.99 until 1/30)
A Building Full of Cats ($2.39 from $2.99 until 1/30)
Quell Zen ($1.99 from $7.99 until 1/31)
Family Man ($7.99 from $19.99 until 2/5)
Railbound ($11.69 from $12.99 until 2/6)
Infini ($1.99 from $12.00 until 2/6)
Please, Touch The Artwork ($1.99 from $7.99 until 2/6)
A Night at the Races ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/6)
Stilstand ($1.99 from $2.99 until 2/6)
Moorhuhn Remake ($5.59 from $6.99 until 2/6)
Cosmic Top Secret ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/6)
Knights & Guns ($1.99 from $14.99 until 2/6)
EQQO ($1.99 from $6.00 until 2/6)
Lydia ($1.99 from $4.00 until 2/6)
Soul Searching ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/6)
Journey of the Broken Circle ($1.99 from $8.00 until 2/6)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 18th
Anime Studio Story ($7.00 from $14.00 until 1/18)
Beat Cop ($1.99 from $14.99 until 1/18)
Broken Universe: Tower Defense ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/18)
Children of Morta ($5.49 from $21.99 until 1/18)
Children of Morta Complete Edition ($9.44 from $26.99 until 1/18)
Floogen ($1.99 from $3.99 until 1/18)
Gem Wizards Tactics ($1.99 from $12.99 until 1/18)
Grand Prix Rock ‘N Racing ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/18)
Gum+ ($1.99 from $7.99 until 1/18)
Lost in Play ($12.99 from$19.99 until 1/18)
Mega Mall Story 2 ($8.40 from $14.00 until 1/18)
Moonlighter ($3.74 from $24.99 until 1/18)
Moonlighter: Complete Edition ($5.79 from $28.99 until 1/18)
Ninja Village ($7.00 from $14.00 until 1/18)
Oh! Edo Towns ($7.00 from $14.00 until 1/18)
OMG Police Car Chase TV ($1.99 from $4.99 until 1/18)
Pad of Time ($3.19 from $7.99 until 1/18)
Pocket Arcade Story ($8.40 from $14.00 until 1/18)
reky ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/18)
Rock ‘n Racing Off Road DX ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/18)
South of the Circle ($9.09 from $12.99 until 1/18)
Space Raiders in Space ($1.99 from $12.99 until 1/18)
Super Arcade Soccer ($1.99 from $6.99 until 1/18)
This War of Mine: Complete Edition ($1.99 from $39.99 until 1/18)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new releases, more sales, and perhaps some news. I’ll be going to the fancy hospital again, but I should be back with enough time to spare to ensure we don’t miss a day. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!