{"id":1755456,"date":"2022-08-02T17:00:13","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T21:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/?post_type=station&p=1755456"},"modified":"2022-08-02T18:42:03","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T22:42:03","slug":"switcharcade-round-up-reviews-featuring-baldurs-gate-dark-alliance-ii-plus-todays-releases-and-sales","status":"publish","type":"station","link":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/plato-data\/switcharcade-round-up-reviews-featuring-baldurs-gate-dark-alliance-ii-plus-todays-releases-and-sales\/","title":{"rendered":"SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring \u2018Baldur\u2019s Gate: Dark Alliance II\u2019, Plus Today\u2019s Releases and Sales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 2nd, 2022. In today\u2019s article, I\u2019ve got a couple of new reviews for you to look over. First I dive into the Forgotten Realms to review Baldur\u2019s Gate: Dark Alliance II,<\/em> then I enter the afterlife for a little Avenging Spirit<\/em>. After that, it\u2019s the new releases. The big one today is Frogun<\/em>, a lovely-looking thing that I hope lives up to its promise. We close things out with the usual lists of new and outgoing sales. Let\u2019s head on out!<\/p>\n

Reviews & Mini-Views<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Baldur\u2019s Gate: Dark Alliance II ($29.99)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

I really wish this game wasn\u2019t as expensive as it is. Here\u2019s the thing about the Dark Alliance<\/em> games, friends: for console gamers looking to get their Diablo<\/em>-style hack-and-slash looter fix, these<\/em> were the McDonalds we had at home. I mean, apart from the extremely dope PlayStation port of Diablo<\/em>. And in that sense, they were fine games for the era. We didn\u2019t have a ton of choices for games like these on PlayStation 2, Xbox, or GameCube. But the Dark Alliance<\/em> games and sister title Champions of Norrath<\/em> were good enough.<\/p>\n

But we live in different times now, don\u2019t we? I can pick up Diablo III<\/em> for about the same price as this game on Switch if I catch a decent sale. The Torchlight<\/em> games, which rival Diablo<\/em> to a far better extent than the Dark Alliance<\/em> games, are also on Switch and they\u2019re even cheaper. This isn\u2019t a fancy remake of Dark Alliance II<\/em>, either. Everything is a bit sharper graphically, but it doesn\u2019t have any major improvements or even online play. It\u2019s by and large the same Diet Diablo<\/em> it was twenty years ago, and while I think a person can still have some mindless fun with it, it\u2019s a tough game to recommend at the price it commands.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

That all said, I can\u2019t say I didn\u2019t get sucked into this stupid button-basher again, just like I did in my university days. There\u2019s lots of red meat here for Forgotten Realms<\/em> fans (yes, you can<\/em> play as Drizzt), loot flies everywhere with wild abandon, and it\u2019s hard to argue with that Dungeons & Dragons Monstrous Compendium<\/em>. You get to explore lots of suitably creepy dungeons, and there are several interesting characters to play as. If you have someone who can join you for local multiplayer, you\u2019ll really have a grand time. Perhaps not as grand of a time as you would have with Diablo<\/em> or Torchlight<\/em>, but let\u2019s assume for the sake of argument that you\u2019ve tapped those games out and want something else like them.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s really the bottom line with Baldur\u2019s Gate: Dark Alliance II<\/em>, and it\u2019s exactly what I would say for the port of the first game. These no-frills rereleases of the games are highly enjoyable in a vacuum, but when measured up against similar games in the genre available on the Switch, they feel lacking. If you\u2019ve checked off the big-pants games in the action-RPG looter genre on the system and you don\u2019t mind the price, then and only<\/em> then should you consider grabbing Dark Alliance II<\/em>.<\/p>\n

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5\/5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Avenging Spirit ($5.99)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ratalaika is expanding its emulation efforts to cover some arcade titles now, it seems. Jaleco\u2019s Avenging Spirit<\/em> is as good a place as any to start. It\u2019s an interesting side-scrolling action game whose chief hook is that you can possess the bodies of any enemy to take them over. You\u2019ll then use them until they take too much damage, at which point you can discard them and, if you have enough phantasmal energy, take over another one. Maybe the one that just killed you! Nifty. It even has two different endings based on whether or not you can track down the three keys hidden somewhere in the game\u2019s six levels.<\/p>\n

As much as I tend to gripe about seeing that familiar old Ratalaika emulation wrapper, the company for the most part has done a pretty good job with its emulation efforts. You get lots of nice options to play with, and the emulation is usually fairly sound. Well, you get even more options here. Depending on which of the two modes you choose from what it offers you, you\u2019ll have access to all of the fun dip switch settings. I wish everyone who released arcade games on the Switch did this.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

But perhaps the world seeks balance, because the emulation here has a bit of bug happening with its audio. It plays too fast generally, queues up the wrong tunes at times, and just doesn\u2019t sound right at all. I\u2019ve also gotten used to having online leaderboards for arcade games thanks to the work of Hamster, Capcom, and M2, but there\u2019s nothing like that here. Just you and your local scoreboard.<\/p>\n

On its best day, the arcade version of Avenging Spirit<\/em> is a clever game that doesn\u2019t quite click the pieces together to become a great one. No, it left that for its Game Boy port. Throw in some emulation errors and the lack of desirable features like online leaderboards, and this ends up being a very middle-of-the-road affair. I love the many options Ratalaika has given us access to here, but with the actual game itself running weirdly, there\u2019s only so much praise I can give for getting some of the bells and whistles right. It\u2019s okay enough for fans of the arcade game, but only just.<\/p>\n

SwitchArcade Score: 3\/5<\/strong><\/p>\n

New Releases<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Frogun ($14.99)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I hope this game is even half as fun as it looks, because if it is then 3D platformer games will be in for a nice little treat. You\u2019re a kid with a frog-shaped grappling gun who has to rescue her parents from some dangerous ruins. That\u2019s just a great premise, right there. You get all the popular types of levels, including those snow and ice levels we all love. There are enemies to avoid, traps to dodge, platforms to leap between, and buttons to push. You even get some boss battles for good measure. I haven\u2019t had a chance to play this yet, but\u2026 please<\/em> be good!<\/p>\n

Celestian Tales ($14.99)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This is an RPG with a fairly orthodox turn-based JRPG structure save for one important element. You can play through the game from the perspective of each of the six party members. You will only get that character\u2019s full perspective and story by playing as them, so you theoretically have to play through the game six times to get it all. I\u2019ll be honest: there aren\u2019t many JRPG-style games I feel like playing in their entirety six times. Will this be one of them? Hm.<\/p>\n

Wavecade ($10.00)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another vertical shoot-em-up for the pile. This one lets you control the speed it moves by positioning your ship further up or down the playfield, and each wave you clear makes the game go a bit faster. You can play alone or pull in a buddy for some co-op play via local or online multiplayer. Word of mouth on this one is pretty decent, so if you\u2019re looking for something to exercise your trigger finger with, you may want to look into Wavecade<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Princess.Loot.Pixel.Again x2 ($3.99)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a sequel that follows very much in line with the original game, but with more stuff. If you enjoyed that first title\u2019s brand of roguelite action, you probably won\u2019t regret dropping four bucks for more of it.<\/p>\n

Super Snake Block ($5.00)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A very simple endless game where you control a snake that can increase its size by picking up parts along the way. You can destroy any blocks in your way, provided you are big enough to do so. You\u2019ve probably seen numerous variants on this concept on the mobile app stores. Not something I personally would spend five dollars on, but I am not the viceroy of your savings account.<\/p>\n

Sales<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(North American eShop, US Prices)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

505 Games is having another sale, by the looks of it. Some decent games in there for sure. Also note Regency Solitaire<\/em>, which has hit a new low price. That game is totally worth seven bucks. Not much in the outbox to shout about, but if you want to stock up on those Kairosoft simulation games, time is ticking.<\/p>\n

Select New Games on Sale<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising<\/strong><\/em> ($11.99 from $14.99 until 8\/9)
\nNegative Nancy<\/strong><\/em> ($5.99 from $14.99 until 8\/9)
\nZumba Burn It Up!<\/strong> <\/em>($15.99 from $39.99 until 8\/9)
\nTerraria<\/strong> <\/em>($14.99 from $29.99 until 8\/9)
\nJourney to the Savage Planet<\/strong> <\/em>($11.99 from $29.99 until 8\/9)
\nGrow: Song of the Evertree<\/strong><\/em> ($14.99 from $24.99 until 8\/9)
\nBloodstained: RotN<\/strong> <\/em>($15.99 from $39.99 until 8\/9)
\nDoraemon: Story of Seasons<\/strong><\/em> ($14.99 from $49.99 until 8\/15)
\nDisney Magical World 2<\/strong><\/em> ($29.99 from $49.99 until 8\/15)
\nBite the Bullet<\/strong><\/em> ($2.99 from $14.99 until 8\/15)
\n.hack\/\/G.U. Last Recode<\/strong><\/em> ($34.99 from $49.99 until 8\/15)
\nREZ PLZ<\/strong><\/em> ($2.99 from $14.99 until 8\/15)
\nAttack on Beetle<\/strong> <\/em>($4.19 from $5.99 until 8\/15)
\nAdventures of Chris<\/strong><\/em> ($2.99 from $14.99 until 8\/15)
\nTurnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion<\/strong> <\/em>($7.49 from $14.99 until 8\/15)<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nBlue Fire<\/strong> <\/em>($9.99 from $19.99 until 8\/15)
\nCyber Hook<\/strong><\/em> ($3.74 from $14.99 until 8\/15)
\nThe Choice of Life: Middle Ages<\/strong><\/em> ($1.99 from $4.99 until 8\/16)
\nLofi Ping Pong<\/strong><\/em> ($1.99 from $4.99 until 8\/16)
\nCyberHive<\/strong> <\/em>($3.99 from $9.99 until 8\/16)
\nDungetris<\/strong> <\/em>($2.00 from $2.99 until 8\/16)
\nINSIDE<\/strong> <\/em>($1.99 from $19.99 until 8\/21)
\nLIMBO<\/strong> <\/em>($1.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nFaircroft\u2019s Antiques: TFC<\/strong><\/em> ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nJewel Match Twilight Solitaire<\/strong><\/em> ($3.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nSpelunKing: The Mine Match<\/strong><\/em> ($3.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nI Love Finding Critters<\/strong><\/em> ($6.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nI Love Finding More Cats<\/strong><\/em> ($6.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nSakura in Gameland<\/strong><\/em> ($2.54 from $2.99 until 8\/21)<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nCrysis Remastered Trilogy<\/strong><\/em> ($32.49 from $49.99 until 8\/21)
\nThreaded<\/strong> <\/em>($4.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nShipwreck Escape<\/strong><\/em> ($3.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nClutter IX: Clutter IXtreme<\/strong> <\/em>($4.99 from $9.99 until 8\/21)
\nLair of the Clockwork God<\/strong><\/em> ($4.99 from $19.99 until 8\/22)
\nBehold the Kickmen<\/strong><\/em> ($1.99 from $3.99 until 8\/22)
\nThomas Was Alone<\/strong> <\/em>($1.99 from $9.99 until 8\/22)
\nRegency Solitaire<\/strong><\/em> ($6.59 from $11.99 until 8\/22)
\nKnights & Guns<\/strong> <\/em>($2.19 from $14.99 until 8\/22)
\nSkyland: Heart of the Mountain<\/strong><\/em> ($1.99 from $14.99 until 8\/22)
\nDreamwalker: Never Fall Asleep<\/strong><\/em> ($1.99 from $14.99 until 8\/22)
\nSuicide Guy Collection<\/strong> <\/em>($3.84 from $10.99 until 8\/22)<\/p>\n

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 3rd<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Grand Prix Story<\/strong><\/em> ($8.40 from $14.00 until 8\/3)
\nHome Run High<\/strong><\/em> ($7.00 from $14.00 until 8\/3)
\nLeisure Suit Larry: WDDD<\/strong><\/em> ($3.99 from $39.99 until 8\/3)
\nLeisure Suit Larry: WDDT<\/strong><\/em> ($5.99 from $39.99 until 8\/3)
\nLeisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Saga<\/strong><\/em> ($7.79 from $64.99 until 8\/3)
\nNinja Village<\/strong><\/em> ($8.40 from $14.99 until 8\/3)
\nPocket League Story<\/strong><\/em> ($8.40 from $14.00 until 8\/3)
\nPool Slide Story<\/strong><\/em> ($7.00 from $14.00 until 8\/3)<\/p>\n

That\u2019s all for today, friends. We\u2019ll be back tomorrow with more new releases, more sales, perhaps some news, and an outside chance of a review or something. I got my new Switch today to replace the old one that is on its way to the grave. I have finally joined the OLED world, and my old man eyes are frying from its vibrant screen. Hey, can I expense this thing? Where did Jared get to? I have a receipt<\/em>! And a doctor\u2019s note! At any rate, I hope you all have a great Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!<\/p>\n

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