SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ and More, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for February 7th, 2022. In today’s article, we’ve got a whole bunch of reviews for you to enjoy. Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Maglam Lord, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments, Unforeseen Incidents, and QUByte Classics The Humans By Piko all get evaluated today. There are also a number of new releases to check out, but don’t get too excited about those. Really just a few titles of interest there. Finally, we’ve got a robust list of new sales, and all of the expiring sales for you to give one last thought to. Let’s dig in!

Reviews & Mini-Views Pokemon Legends: Arceus ($59.99)

By the standards of the Pokemon series, Pokemon Legends feels like a bit of a revolution. Not one of those messy ones with guillotines and cake, mind you. A lot of the things that fans of the series value about it are still here. Collecting monsters, leveling them up, and engaging in turn-based battles are still very much a big part of this game. You’ve simply got to catch them all, right? And yet so much is different here. We’re not in an expy of the modern world. We aren’t trying to become a Pokemon champion, shuffling through the tall grass between towns trying to catch the Pokemon we need to defeat the next gym leader. You aren’t filling out a Pokedex; you are helping create the first one.

Pokemon also have a different role to play in Legends. Whatever rule of honor prevents Pokemon from attacking trainers in the other games is right out the window here. You’ll still have to battle them with Pokemon of your own, but they’re more than happy to go after you if you tick them off. The areas you’ll explore are vast, and full of all kinds of Pokemon to discover. Catching them is sometimes as easy as pitching a Pokeball at them, while others will need to be worn down in battle. However you do it, you won’t be stumbling into invisible encounters. All Pokemon great and small, common and rare, will be doing their thing out in the fields.

The idea of building the Pokedex also changes things. It’s no longer sufficient to just catch a single Pokemon. Each Pokemon has a number of research targets you’ll need to check off to complete their Pokedex entry. This encourages you to engage with Pokemon in a variety of ways, some of them quite novel. As you check off research targets, your rank will increase and more of the world and its contents will be open to you. The story will also slowly unfurl, and it’s fairly interesting. Those who have played Pokemon Diamond and Pearl or the remakes will find a lot of interesting points in both the plot and the characters.

This isn’t just a good foundation for what I hope will be a regular branch of the Pokemon tree from here on out. Pokemon Legends: Arceus is also a very fun RPG adventure. No, it’s not the Pokemon: Breath of the Wild that some may have been hoping for, but if you love the world of Pokemon it’s hard to imagine not being at least a little awed by this interesting new spin on the series. It’s still a very accessible game that aims to be enjoyed by young kids, so don’t expect anything fancy in terms of writing or a high level of challenge. Rather, this is a new, exciting way to have a Pokemon experience that makes me thrilled for what we might see in the future.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

QUByte Classics The Humans By Piko ($7.99)

Lemmings was a really good game. The current owner of Lemmings doesn’t seem terribly interested in doing anything with Lemmings, or even rereleasing Lemmings. At last, it is time for The Humans to shine. For those not familiar with the concept, the idea here is that you have to use your small group of prehistoric Humans to achieve the goal on each level. Usually that means reaching a particular object or an exit with one of them. Humans can perform a few actions on their own, but it’s through their use of tools that possibilities really open up. You’ll have to figure out how to use your Humans and their tools together in order to complete each stage. Sometimes that will call for a sacrifice.

The Humans never quite dishes out the same levels of devious thrills that Lemmings does, but it’s a solid enough puzzle game. This collection promises you three versions of the game, but there seem to only be two here: the Super NES version, and the Game Boy version. Perhaps the Genesis version will make it in via an update. You get a small set of options for each version, covering most of the basic needs like save states, control mapping, and video filters. Not exactly the star treatment, but this isn’t exactly a star game to start with. It’s worth looking at for those who enjoy a hearty mix of action and puzzle, at least.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Unforeseen Incidents ($19.99)

There are a few things I look for in a point-and-click adventure game. Good puzzles, interesting places to visit, memorable characters, and solid writing are what make the difference between a classic and discount fodder. And hey, lucky day: Unforeseen Incidents has most of that going for it. There’s very little reinventing of the wheel in this game, but it gets the fundamentals right. A wild cult and deadly virus threaten the world, and the only one that can stop them is a rather reluctant handyman and his multitool.

I found the puzzles to be very satisfying to solve in Unforeseen Incidents. There are also a few minigames and action bits now and then to help keep you on your toes, some more welcome than others. The story digs around a bit too much in the trope bucket, but both the characters and the various sets are interesting enough to carry your attention. The topic matter hits a little differently today than it did when the game first released, which may be either a plus or a negative for you. The port to the Switch has been pulled off well, and it plays rather intuitively with a controller. If you’re looking for a good point-and-clicker, this is one game you should see coming.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments ($29.99)

I didn’t expect much from Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments, but I ended up getting quite engrossed in it. This is an adventure game that shows a really strong understanding of the source material and its characters, even if it does play around with some of its elements at times. You spend most of the game playing as the famous detective as he is called in to solve various crimes that the police can’t. You’ll have to scour for clues and use logic to figure out how they fit together. You’ll then have to use those clues and your wits to draw a conclusion, and unlike many other games like this it is entirely possible end up with the wrong answer.

Some of the voice acting could be better and a few of the puzzles have that usual adventure game problem of requiring some incredible leaps of logic, but generally speaking Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments does a wonderful job of making you feel like you are living the life of the gentleman detective himself. The cases are interesting to solve, and piecing things together really does make you feel clever. The actual overall narrative is somewhat lacking, but the moment-to-moment plot is compelling enough. The port to the Switch is solid, but you should as usual expect some lengthy loading times here and there. Fans of Sherlock Holmes or adventure games in general will likely enjoy what they get here.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Maglam Lord ($39.99)

There’s a very likable side to Maglam Lord. The characters are charming, the script is just the right sort of goofy, and the premise is certainly amusing. After being defeated in an epic battle that saw gods and demons alike unified against them, the Demon Lord Killizzark is finally resurrected. The world has changed, however. Things seem entirely more peaceful for starters, apparently thanks to a group called The Administration. Killizzard is deemed an endangered species by The Administration, as they are the last of the Demon Lord species. They’re not the only type on their last legs, though. You’ll meet a wide cast of characters that appear to be in similarly dire straits. Killizzard needs to regain their power and perhaps find a way to get their species going again.

When Maglam Lord is sticking to its visual novel elements, it’s rather enjoyable. You can choose your reactions and responses, building relationships and going on dates with the various other characters. The writing is decent, and the sense of humor is fun. Unfortunately, this is only half of the game. The other half is a somewhat dull action-RPG where you wander through uninteresting levels and engage in combat that turns out to be lacking in engagement. There’s an emphasis on grinding for materials to raise your strength, but nothing about the battles make this an enticing prospect. It’s not a very long game, but it feels absolutely interminable at times. Not without its charms, but hard to recommend on the whole.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

New Releases Heroes of Loot 2 ($9.99)

Orangepixel’s fast-paced action roguelite makes its way over from mobile, bringing all of its fun and tense gameplay with it. Complete quests, make use of the different heroes, and search out secrets as you battle your way through the dungeon floors. If you’ve played any of this developer’s games before, you know there’s a loose but fun quality to them that makes them great for pick up and play enjoyment. This one is no different in that regard.

Unstrong Legacy ($1.99)

Here’s a little Metroidvania game featuring colorful visuals and a rather unique main character. There are twenty areas to explore and some abilities to unlock, as one does in this sort of game. Sure, you can probably find more impressive Metroidvania games on the eShop, but if you’ve only got a couple bucks to spend there are worse ways to do it. You even get optional collectibles and multiple endings.

Hidden Theft ($9.99)

It’s sort of an arcade spin on a Red Light, Green Light game. You play as a robber and on each stage you need to do what you need to and make a clean getaway. Grab loot, avoid obstacles, and make sure you aren’t spotted by the police. Don’t worry, he spends most of the time looking the other way and gives plenty of notice when he’s going to turn around.

Pirate’s Gold ($9.99)

This is a puzzle game where you slide treasures around to make pairs and clear them. The pieces work like sliding ice blocks and won’t stop moving until they hit something. The key is to remove the pieces in the correct sequence so that you don’t end up in an unwinnable situation. You get one hundred levels in total. Well, you’ve probably seen this kind of thing before. I imagine you know if this is your kind of thing or not.

Ceilless ($2.99)

A simple yet pleasingly tough puzzle game where you rotate the stage to guide a box into a crystal. There are fifty stages in total. Cute, challenging, and quite affordable. A decent grab for puzzle fans looking for something to play today without breaking the bank.

ABC Follow Me: Animals ($9.99)

If you have some young kids who are learning to write the alphabet, this may be of some use to you. It helps kids learn to write letters and numbers, and also helps them learn some animal names. It’s obviously not aimed at me, so I can’t really say much else about it.

Ball Rush ($0.99)

Guide your ball along the path, making sure you don’t hit any objects that are a different color from yours. About as simple as it gets, and nothing we haven’t seen before. At the cost of just one dollar, you may not care.

Jumping Helix Ball ($3.99)

After a brief break of not releasing a template flip, Pix Arts is back to its usual behavior. This one, likely an Android template due to being handheld-only, sees you bouncing a ball through a helix tower. Bounce it as many times as you can, then try to beat your score. Not even the first time we’ve seen this particular template on the eShop.

Mania Fish ($3.99)

And here’s another one from Pix Arts for good measure. This is most likely another Android template flip, as you can only play in handheld mode. It’s a simple fishing game. Very cartoony. You can probably find better ways to spend four bucks. You can definitely find better ways to spend your time.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

As has been the norm of late, there were a ton of sales that popped up over the course of the weekend. A great many of them are what we tend to refer to as the usual suspects, but there are a few worth noting. Human: Fall Flat is only on sale every few months, so that might be something to think about. Other interesting sales jumping out at me include The Flame in the Flood and Lair of the Clockwork God. As for the outbox, the most unusual titles in there are the Kingdom Rush games. They don’t get discounted terribly frequently, and they are certainly good fun. Have a careful look through both lists as usual, naturally.

Select New Games on Sale

The Game of Life 2 ($20.99 from $29.99 until 2/11)
Coast Guard: Beach Rescue Team ($4.79 from $11.99 until 2/11)
Detective Driver: Miami Files ($4.79 from $11.99 until 2/11)
Gas Station: Highway Services ($4.79 from $11.99 until 2/11)
City Bus Driving Simulator ($4.79 from $11.99 until 2/11)
Brawl Chess ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/11)
Art Sqool Deluxe ($1.99 from $13.99 until 2/11)
Detective Di: Silk Rose Murders ($3.99 from $12.99 until 2/12)
Jumping Joe & Friends ($1.99 from $2.49 until 2/14)
Stencil Art ($2.79 from $3.99 until 2/14)
Guards ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/14)
Island Maze ($1.99 from $2.99 until 2/14)
Mermaid Castle ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/14)
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes ($19.99 from $39.99 until 2/15)
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 ($5.99 from $29.99 until 2/15)
LEGO The Incredibles ($8.99 from $59.99 until 2/15)
LEGO Ninjago Movie Game ($7.49 from $49.99 until 2/15)
LEGO DC Super-Villains ($8.99 from $59.99 until 2/15)
LEGO Worlds ($5.99 from $29.99 until 2/15)
LEGO Jurassic World ($7.99 from $39.99 until 2/15)

LEGO City Undercover ($5.99 from $29.99 until 2/15)
The LEGO Movie 2 Game ($5.99 from $39.99 until 2/15)
Cars 3 Driven to Win ($5.99 from $39.99 until 2/15)
Scribblenauts Mega Pack ($5.99 from $39.99 until 2/15)
Scribblenauts Showdown ($3.99 from $39.99..