SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Pokemon Legends: Arceus’, ‘Peace, Death! 2’, Plus Today’s Other New Releases and Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for January 28th, 2022. We’ve got a bunch of new releases to look at today, with a few big hitters, a few mid-level diversions, and a healthy supply of compost. Since it’s Friday, we also have a whole bunch of new sales to check out. Some really good stuff today to keep you happily playing for the next little while, friends. Let’s get into the mix!

New Releases Pokemon Legends: Arceus ($59.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Were Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl a little too orthodox for you? Do you like Pokemon at all? Either way, you’ve got to check out Pokemon Legends: Arceus. While still essentially working like an RPG, this is a take on Pokemon we’ve never really seen before. I think it’s great, and judging by reviews I’m not the only one. I’m not sure if I’ll be doing a full review of this one yet, but whatever the case I can safely say that this is worth diving into.

Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- ($24.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

If you like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, you need to grab this game. While it based on an anime that I must reluctantly admit is somewhat old, the gameplay is clearly an homage to Konami’s game that put the ‘vania in Metroidvania. Not that it doesn’t have some of its own twists on the format, mind you. Deedlit is a skilled archer, and she has to use her arrow tricks to solve a number of puzzles you’ll encounter in your journey. She will also make pacts with a pair of Elemental Spirits, and swapping between them to maximize damage output while minimizing damage input is a major strategy. I’ve been playing a ton of this over the course of the last week, and will have a review for you soon.

Peace, Death! 2 ($5.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

While the basic concept of this sequel isn’t different from the first, there are certainly some changes here. You still have to decide whether people will go to heaven, hell, or purgatory based on their characteristics and other information you can gather. But rather working with each one at a time as the clock counts down, you’re now dealing with several at once. Their traits can affect the others, so there’s an extra layer of logic to sorting everything out. The added complexity makes the puzzles more fun to untangle than ever, and the premise still carries a lot of novelty. A worthy pick-up if you enjoyed the original.

Super Onion Boy 2 ($4.99)

Now this is what I call five-dollar Switch platformer energy! Play as the Onion Boy as he seeks to rescue his kidnapped buddies. Run and jump through levels, make use of cool power-ups that give you new abilities, and collect lots of coins. Not the most memorable of experiences, but it’s a fun time if you like your hop-and-bops. And hey, that little Onion Boy is cute.

Circus Pocus ($4.99)

A top-down stealth game that turns into a top-down action game at a certain point, Circus Pocus is either the best game or the worst game for people who hate clowns. On the negative side, there are a lot of creepy clowns in this game. On the positive side, you get to beat them to death and leave them in a bloody heap. That makes it sound like I’m promoting hurting clowns. I am not. They are people doing their jobs, just like the rest of us. But the clowns in this game actually are evil, so do that little thing you do. I wish this game was as Zombies Ate My Neighbors as it looks in the screenshots, but you can’t always get what you want. Still a decent play while it lasts.

Don’t Be Afraid ($9.99)

Another one of these games. You’re a kid who wakes up in an unfamiliar place. Before too long, you realize that you’re not alone in the house you’re in. Explore, solve puzzles, and try not to get killed. There are three different endings to find, and lots of scares to stumble across. The game description touts that this game offers the “uncommon perspective of a child as a main character”, but I feel like this is the sixth or seventh game like this on the Switch. Well, someone is buying them. Perhaps it is you.

Calturin ($5.99)

This is a top-down shooter where you have to take down several bosses at the behest of a surly necromancer who has brought you back from the beyond. The bullets fly fast and free, so you’ll have to do your best to dodge while returning fire with your own moves. As you play, you’ll gain new skills and abilities to strengthen you. Well, we know how this sort of affair goes. It’s not bad, really. Fans of the genre might find it a decent way to spend an evening or two.

Team Sonic Racing + Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD Bundle ($49.99)

The Ultimate Sonic Bundle ($59.99)

SEGA has a couple of bundles on offer now in case you want to pick up its older titles in bulk. The contents of the first pack are right in the title, while the other has Sonic Mania, Sonic Forces, and Team Sonic Racing. You get a modest discount versus buying them separately, provided they’re not already on sale.

Re: Turn 2 – Runaway ($10.00)

So yes, regarding turn two? It ran away. What can you do? Alright, that’s enough fooling around I suppose. This is another 2D horror-themed adventure game, and those who enjoyed the first game will find this one nice and snug. You’re trapped on a haunted train, and you need to find a way to free the tormented souls before they add you to their number. Some light puzzle-solving and lots of hiding from scary things. Not my thing, but neither was the original game.

Luminos ($4.99)

This is a stage-based auto-running platformer with a color-switching mechanic. Jump, collect the sparks scattered around the stage, and remember to change to the right color when you see mist so that you can pass through it safely. Clear all of the stages and you’ll unlock an endless mode to keep the good times rolling. Reminds me a lot of Robot Unicorn Attack. Not bad.

Pixel Jumper ($7.99)

This is an incredibly basic, completely generic platformer. I suppose the title tells no lies in that regard. Given how many decent platformers the Switch has available at the five dollar mark, I’m not sure I’d be jumping to the pump to grab this one. But maybe you can see something in it that I don’t.

Jumping Quest ($2.29)

I feel like one of the other template-flippers released this one in the last couple of weeks, but I’m not going to dig through to find it. Up to four players can play this via local multiplayer. The aim is to push the other players off the field as it breaks apart. Don’t worry, Gametry isn’t even close to done today.

Heroic Pirates ($0.99)

Gametry’s been busy lately. This handheld-only release is a simple strategy game featuring pirates. It’s a buck, so it’s less about whether it’s worth your money than it is about if it’s worth your time. I say no, but you may feel differently.

Shadow Samurai Revenge ($3.99)

Here’s another from Gametry. It’s a 2D action platformer that is probably rolled up from a template, as is usually the case for this publisher. Is it worth four bucks? I’ll leave that exercise to you, dear reader.

Colors and Numbers ($3.99)

Benjamin Kistler has a coloring book for us today. How lovely. Probably a template flip, but what can you do? It’s a coloring book. Handheld mode only.

Pyramids Slot Machines ($5.99)

Well, Pix Arts wasn’t going to miss out on this party. Here’s a basic slots game with an Ancient Egyptian theme. Handheld mode only, which is usually an indicator of an Android template flip.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Hey, Freedom Finger for two bucks. That’s a nice way to start a list. There are also some Ubisoft games to consider, should you feel like sliding any money their way these days. The Kingdom Rush games are all discounted, too. There’s almost nothing in the weekend outbox, so feel free to spend your valuable list-checking time on the new stuff.

Select New Games on Sale

Freedom Finger ($1.99 from $14.99 until 2/1)
Ary & the Secret of Seasons ($9.99 from $39.99 until 2/3)
Skully ($7.49 from $29.99 until 2/3)
Degrees of Separation ($4.99 from $19.99 until 2/3)
Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break ($7.49 from $29.99 until 2/3)
Beast Quest ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/3)
Troll & I ($2.99 from $9.99 until 2/3)
Deer Drive Legends ($3.99 from $19.99 until 2/3)
Riverbond ($6.24 from $24.99 until 2/3)
Bear With Me: The Lost Robots ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/3)
Curved Space ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/3)
Override Mech City Brawl ($7.49 from $29.99 until 2/3)
Vigil: The Longest Night ($13.19 from $21.99 until 2/4)
Glyph ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/4)
Dungeon Defenders Awakened ($19.79 from $29.99 until 2/4)
I Saw Black Clouds ($9.74 from $12.99 until 2/4)

Football Manager 2022 Touch ($31.99 from $39.99 until 2/4)
Madness Beverage ($13.49 from $14.99 until 2/5)
Biped ($6.74 from $14.99 until 2/7)
Kingdom Rush ($2.99 from $9.99 until 2/8)
Kingdom Rush Frontiers ($2.99 from $9.99 until 2/8)
Kingdom Rush Origins ($4.49 from $14.99 until 2/8)
Nosferatu Lilinor ($13.71 from $17.14 until 2/10)
Georifters ($1.99 from $29.99 until 2/10)
Wind Peaks ($8.99 from $14.99 until 2/10)
Just Dance 2022 ($29.99 from $49.99 until 2/10)
Just Dance 2022 Ultimate Edition ($52.49 from $74.99 until 2/10)
Assassin’s Creed III Remastered ($14.79 from $39.99 until 2/10)
Assassin’s Creed: Rebel Collection ($14.79 from $39.99 until 2/10)
Immortals Fenyx Rising ($14.99 from $59.99 until 2/10)
Immortals Fenyx Rising Gold ($24.99 from $99.99 until 2/10)

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World ($7.49 from $14.99 until 2/10)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle ($14.99 from $59.99 until 2/10)
Mario + Rabbids KB Gold Edition ($19.99 from $79.99 until 2/10)
Family Feud ($9.99 from $29.99 until 2/10)
Monopoly ($9.99 from $39.99 until 2/10)
Monopoly Madness ($23.99 from $29.99 until 2/10)
UNO ($3.99 from $9.99 until 2/10)
Stay ($2.39 from $11.99 until 2/11)
Clouds & Sheep 2 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/11)
Palindrome Syndrome: Escape Room ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/11)
Tested on Humans: Escape Room ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/11)
Between Time: Escape Room ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/11)
Drum Box ($3.99 from $7.99 until 2/11)
Gnomes Garden 3 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 2/11)
Aces of the Luftwaffe Squadron ($7.49 from $14.99 until 2/11)

Spitlings ($8.99 from $14.99 until 2/11)
Life Goes On ($2.59 from $12.99 until 2/11)
Spot the Differences Party! ($2.49 from $4.99 until 2/11)
Twist & Match ($1.99 from $2.99 until 2/11)
Bombing Busters ($3.49 from $6.99 until 2/11)
Lost Castle ($2.99 from $9.99 until 2/14)
Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption ($4.74 from $18.99 until 2/14)
Crimson Keep ($3.99 from $19.99 until 2/15)
Spirit of the North ($12.49 from $24.99 until 2/15)
Cloudpunk ($9.99 from $24.99 until 2/15)
#1 Crosswords Bundle ($2.99 from $5.99 until 2/15)
#1 Crosswords ($1.99 from $3.99 until 2/15)
#1 Anagrams ($1.99 from $3.99 until 2/15)
#1 Sudokus ($1.99 from $3.99 until 2/15)
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes ($9.99 from $24.99 until 2/15)