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Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for March 3rd, 2023. Today we have a nice little treat as our pal Mikhail has done a full, detailed review of the latest free DLC pack for the curiously compelling PowerWash Simulator. After that, I mop up the rest of this week’s releases with all the summarizing I can muster. We finish up with a healthy list of new sales and a few things wrapping up their discounts over the weekend. Let’s go to it!
Reviews & Mini-Views
PowerWash Simulator: Midgar Special Pack (Free)
PowerWash Simulator recently hit Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4 following its debut on PC and Xbox platforms last year. While not perfect, the Nintendo Switch version is excellent, and I’ve had a ton of fun revisiting the game on both Switch and PS5 recently. When PowerWash Simulator: Midgar Special Pack was announced, I knew I had to play it as a fan of not just PowerWash Simulator, but also Final Fantasy VII. While PowerWash Simulator: Midgar Special Pack is free DLC, it is so good, that I think it justifies buying the game itself just to see how much care was put into these locations, vehicles, and more.
The PowerWash Simulator: Midgar Special Pack includes five new levels. Barring the four shown off on social media, this pack also includes the Airbuster. The levels are: the aforementioned Airbuster, the Hardy-Daytona & Shinra Hauler, the Scorpion Sentinel, Mako Energy Exhibit, and Seventh Heaven. The vehicle or weapon focused levels are more straightforward and simpler, but the Mako Energy Exhibit and Seventh Heaven are very meaty levels. The Mako Energy Exhibit in particular reminded me of a very complex model train system being cleaned.
Seventh Heaven was an absolute pain to deal with, but this level showed me how much attention to detail was put into the DLC. Tifa texts you while you’re cleaning up here while you get other messages I won’t spoil during other stages. These include various tidbits of lore and more. If you love Final Fantasy VII, you will likely have a smile on your face throughout this DLC pack.
When I was offered an early code for the PS5 version of the PowerWash Simulator: Midgar Special Pack, I wasn’t even sure we would review it because this is free DLC after all and the last few weeks have been beyond busy when it comes to releases. After the first level, I already knew this would be special, and Futurlab delivered in spades. While the Tomb Raider DLC was nice, I can’t get over how good the PowerWash Simulator: Midgar Special Pack is, all for the price of nothing. This is one of the best free content packs in a game that I’ve experienced in years.
Having beaten the complete DLC over a week ago on PS5, I’ve since played it on Switch and Steam Deck following its launch over a day ago. While the PS5 version is a lot better visually than the Switch version, the latter’s only flaw right now is how the lower resolution can make specific parts of objects harder to see even with the dirt highlight option. This made two levels take longer than they should’ve during my replay on Switch. With this DLC out now, I hope we get an update with gyro controls on Switch and PS5 in the near future.
I hope we get more DLC for PowerWash Simulator of this quality, and that Square Enix releases a complete physical release with all DLC included. If you have PowerWash Simulator already, downloading the PowerWash Simulator: Midgar Special Pack is a no brainer. It is superb even if you aren’t a fan of Final Fantasy VII. The attention to detail in each of the stages included is amazing. If you don’t have PowerWash Simulator, the PowerWash Simulator: Midgar Special Pack warrants a full game purchase. It is that good if you like Final Fantasy VII. –Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 5/5
New Releases
DARQ Ultimate Edition ($19.99)
Let’s look back to what I wrote the last time this game came out on Switch, as DARQ: Complete Edition, back on March 18th of 2021.
“Well, I’m happy that it’s not incomplete. That would be unfortunate. That’s supposed to be a joke but I guess it happens a lot these days. Reassurance, then, is nice. This game follows the story of a person who ventures into the world of nightmares, which seems like a bad idea to me. He’s got a long night ahead of him, because this version includes both DLC add-ons. Anyway, it’s a puzzle-packed adventure game of sorts that is dark, creepy, and more than a little surreal. Your goal in each stage is to find the way out of the nightmare, so it’s a bit like a spooky Suicide Guy if you think about it too hard like I did. If you expect things to work logically in these puzzles, this must be your first time playing a game set in a dream. Think outside of the box if you want to escape. It’s pretty decent and worth a look if you’re into the vibe it lays out in the screenshots.”
Well, I guess it wasn’t as complete as Shaun of the Past thought, eh? Because now that “Complete” edition has been delisted and this new version, which is exactly the same but includes an extra graphic novel based on the game, is here instead. No idea if existing owners of the Complete Edition get a discount, but I sure hope they do. Pretty dang rude otherwise.
Disaster Detective Saiga: An Indescribable Mystery ($24.99)
This is a horror mystery adventure game about a town where all kinds of unusual events occur and the enormously unlucky detective who has for whatever reason decided to be in this place. Solve mysteries, meet interesting characters, and make critical choices to ensure that you live long enough to find the answers you seek. Seems interesting, but since I haven’t had the chance to play through it myself yet I can’t really say anything deeper than that.
Gunman Tales ($6.99)
This is a gallery shooter along the lines of things like Wild Guns and Cabal. You control your little cowboy dude and need to move around and take out enemies in the background. You can get various upgrades as you go along, and up to four players can join in via local multiplayer. Seems fine for what it is.
Void Scrappers ($3.99)
Here’s another game looking to fill the, er, void with Vampire Survivors not being available on Switch. It’s pretty much Vampire Survivors with a space theme and a considerably lighter amount of meta content. And maybe for four bucks, that’s enough. It plays well enough for what it is, but it feels like it could use a bit more gas in the ol’ tank, if you know what I mean.
Ruku’s Heart Balloon ($10.99)
A fairly straightforward take on the old Same Game style of puzzler. Match two or more flowers of the same color to clear them from the board. It has a cute picture book style presentation that adds a little extra appeal to the whole affair, and there’s a cooperative two player mode via local multiplayer as well.
The Atla Archives ($14.99)
This is a first-person action-RPG of sorts. In the aftermath of a disaster, you end up with little else to your name than the piece of driftwood you came in on. Somehow you’re the person they’ve tasked to find the Ark of the Covenant to fill the Fountain of Absence before time runs out. I haven’t been able to play this one yet so I have absolutely no idea if it’s good or not. At the very least it doesn’t look like something the developer shoveled out thoughtlessly, but proceed at your own risk.
Dungeon Core ($12.99)
Here’s a twin-stick roguelite shooter, in case you need another one of those. It has some decent pixel art visuals and most of the things you would expect from this sort of affair. Permanent upgrades. Not so permanent upgrades. Procedurally generated levels. You know how this all works. It has decent reviews over on Steam, so if you’re looking for one of these today it might just suit your needs.
Pixel Game Maker Series Loplight ($4.99)
My brain is having a hard time processing the visual style of this game, but it’s a light twin-stick shooter so I’m sure you can fill in most of the blanks on your own. It’s more focused on telling a story than offering up a ton of gameplay variety, but I suppose that’s at least something to distinguish it from the dozens of other games in this genre on the Switch.
Give me toilet paper! ($5.00)
Okay so the idea here is that you take your Joy-Con and stick it inside the middle of an actual physical roll of toilet paper, then put that roll on a good sized board that you can lift up and tilt. You then roll that physical roll of toilet paper to make the on-screen roll of toilet paper move, trying to get it safely down to the bottom so the guy on the toilet can apply it to his bottom. This is very weird and cool. More five dollar nonsense like this, please.
Ro ($0.50)
Well, here’s a new low. This is in almost every regard an ordinary basement-tier Switch 2D platformer. It’s uninspired, it plays badly, and it looks like the dog’s breakfast after pupper has finished processing it. But we have lots of games like that on the eShop. This one is different because it is fifty cents. And it will probably sell a lot more than it should because of that. I’m not going to contribute to that, but you can make your own choices in life.
Super Hero Fighting Legends : Anime Mortal Battle ($4.99)
We have a game today that you play with an actual roll of toilet paper and somehow it’s still not the closest thing to the toilet bowl in the new release list. I can’t decide if this game or the next one is worse, but why not both? A horrible fighting game from a horrible developer, almost certainly constructed from Unity Asset Store bits and bobs. Single-player only, and a buck more than any of the fighting games in Capcom Arcade Stadium.
Outcasts of Dungeon: Epic Magic World Fight Rogue Game Simulator ($4.99)
More trash from Midnight Works. This one is a third-person action game where you have to explore some poorly-designed dungeons and beat all the enemies. Spend the five bucks on some snacks instead, you’ll be a lot happier and you won’t be rewarding this absolute clown show of a publisher.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
There are lot more sales besides what is listed here. That’s something regular readers probably know, but I will just say it again as a reminder. Anyway, some good stuff today. Good sales on things like A Monster’s Expedition, Streets of Rogue, and the Rune Factory games. The outbox doesn’t have too much to get worked up about, but you might as well check it after you go through the new list just to be sure.
Select New Games on Sale
Innocence Island ($6.99 from $19.99 until 3/9)
Akiba’s Trip H&D ($11.99 from $29.99 until 3/10)
Gal Metal ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/10)
Sakuna: Of Rice & Ruin ($19.49 from $29.99 until 3/10)
Heroland ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/10)
BurgerTime Party ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/10)
Rune Factory 4 Special ($19.49 from $29.99 until 3/10)
Rune Factory 5 ($29.99 from $49.99 until 3/10)
Freedom Planet ($4.49 from $14.99 until 3/10)
No More Heroes ($14.99 from $19.99 until 3/10)
No More Heroes 2 DS ($14.99 from $19.99 until 3/10)
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town ($23.99 from $39.99 until 3/10)
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town ($19.99 from $39.99 until 3/10)
Horizon Chase Turbo ($3.99 from $19.99 until 3/10)
Salt and Sanctuary ($4.49 from $17.99 until 3/10)
Let’s Sing ABBA ($29.99 from $39.99 until 3/13)
Let’s Sing 2023 ($29.99 from $39.99 until 3/13)
Gods Will Fall ($2.99 from $14.99 until 3/13)
King’s Bounty II ($7.99 from $39.99 until 3/13)
Road 96 ($5.98 from $19.96 until 3/13)
Windbound ($1.99 from $19.99 until 3/13)
Graze Counter GM ($11.99 from $14.99 until 3/14)
Terror of Hemasaurus ($10.49 from $14.99 until 3/16)
Tunnel of Doom ($6.29 from $13.99 until 3/16)
Bloody Rally Show ($8.99 from $19.99 until 3/16)
Trifox ($12.99 from $19.99 until 3/16)
Severed Steel ($11.24 from $24.99 until 3/16)
The Procession to Calvary ($6.74 from $14.99 until 3/16)
A Musical Story ($6.74 from $14.99 until 3/16)
Ary & the Secret of Seasons ($5.99 from $39.99 until 3/17)
Bunny Mahjo ($1.99 from $2.99 until 3/17)
Cris Tales ($7.99 from $39.99 until 3/17)
Mech Armada ($13.99 from $19.99 until 3/17)
CubicBan ($1.99 from $2.99 until 3/17)
Cubic Figures ($1.99 from $3.99 until 3/17)
Cubic Parking ($1.99 from $2.99 until 3/17)
Monster Energy Supercross 2 ($1.99 from $19.99 until 3/17)
The Pinball Wizard ($3.99 from $7.99 until 3/17)
Kukoos: Lost Pets ($19.79 from $29.99 until 3/17)
Seduction: A Monk’s Fate ($4.79 from $7.99 until 3/17)
Broken Pipe ($1.99 from $3.99 until 3/17)
Sentry Paragon ($2.99 from $5.99 until 3/17)
Cube Decider ($1.99 from $3.99 until 3/17)
Blind Postman ($1.99 from $3.99 until 3/17)
Ginnung ($4.00 from $5.00 until 3/19)
Bumblebee: Little Bee Adventure ($6.99 from $9.99 until 3/20)
Beastie Bay DX ($7.00 from $14.00 until 3/22)
Grand Prix Story ($7.00 from $14.00 until 3/22)
Burger Bistro Story ($8.40 from $14.00 until 3/22)
Bonfire Peaks ($13.99 from $19.99 until 3/23)
A Monster’s Expedition ($13.99 from $19.99 until 3/23)
Cosmic Express ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/23)
Sokobond ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/23)
A Good Snowman is Hard to Build ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/23)
Splatter: Zombiecalypse Now ($1.99 from $7.99 until 3/23)
Everybody’s Home Run Derby ($2.50 from $5.00 until 3/23)
Streets of Rogue ($7.99 from $19.99 until 3/23)
Criminal Expert ($1.99 from $9.99 until 3/23)
Rigid Force Redux ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/23)
Totally Reliable Delivery Service ($5.99 from $14.99 until 3/23)
Happy’s Humble Burger Farm ($7.99 from $19.99 until 3/23)
Undungeon ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/23)
Rhythm Sprout ($11.99 from $14.99 until 3/23)
Hellpoint ($13.99 from $34.99 until 3/23)
Let’s Get Changed: Escape Game ($14.80 from $19.80 until 3/23)
Cape’s Escape Game 4th Room ($2.00 from $9.80 until 3/23)
Cape’s Escape Game 5th Room ($2.00 from $9.80 until 3/23)
Silver Chains ($2.99 from $24.99 until 3/23)
The Coma: Recut ($3.74 from $14.99 until 3/23)
The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters ($3.74 from $14.99 until 3/23)
Trash Sailors ($7.99 from $19.99 until 3/23)
Pixel Heroes: Mega Byte & Magic ($3.74 from $14.99 until 3/23)
Outbuddies DX ($4.49 from $17.99 until 3/23)
Truberbrook ($3.59 from $29.99 until 3/23)
Sales Ending This Weekend
A Sketchbook About Her Sun ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/4)
Beyond a Steel Sky ($15.99 from $39.99 until 3/4)
Dark Minute: Kira’s Adventure ($2.49 from $9.99 until 3/4)
From Space ($9.74 from $14.99 until 3/4)
Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch ($27.99 from $39.99 until 3/4)
New Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja ($20.99 from $29.99 until 3/4)
Out of the Box ($4.49 from $14.99 until 3/4)
Promesa ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/4)
Smurfs Kart ($26.79 from $39.99 until 3/4)
The Diabolical Trilogy ($5.99 from $19.99 until 3/4)
The Quest for Excalibur – Puy du Fou ($14.99 from $29.99 until 3/4)
Will Die Alone ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/4)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with more games, more sales, some reviews, and maybe even a bit of news. I have to spend my weekend finishing up some translation work, but that’s how it goes. The hustle is always real. I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
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