System: Switch
Release date: March 23, 2021
Developer: Marvelous
Publisher: XSEED Games
Farming simulators are games that you either get or you don’t, and the evolution of technology has led to an expansion of the genre that has gone beyond the typical routine that involves simply planting a seed and selling crops. We’re now visiting these worlds where farming is complementary to everything else you can do rather than being the core focus. After having revisited the likes of Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town and Return to Popolocrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale, it’s clear that Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town is moving forward and embracing growth and change now more than ever, which mostly works to its benefit. However, there are clear inspirations from other titles that feel like a dull copy rather than a platform to launch off of. Either way, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town does well to incorporate new ideas and polish up the old, while having a serene time playing in an environment I keep thinking about and coming back to, even if it’s far from perfect.
Later this week, the cyberpunk-themed action roguelike Danger Scavenger will be released on Switch. Take a look at some footage in the video below.
Danger Scavenger is slated for March 25 on the Switch eShop. We’ve got more information and a trailer here.
The grid-based dungeon crawler RPG Vaporum: Lockdown made it to Switch earlier today, and we now have some footage from the title. Check out a good chunk of gameplay below.
Vaporum: Lockdown is out now on Switch via the eShop. For more on the game, check out our previous coverage here.
Late last week, the arcade puzzle game Magic Twins landed on Switch. Find some footage in the video below.
Magic Twins can be purchased digitally on the Switch eShop. Additional information and a trailer are located here.
Nintendo and Niantic – the developer of Pokemon GO – have just announced the establishment of a new partnership. The two companies are collaborating “to jointly develop apps that combine Niantic’s real-world AR technology with Nintendo’s beloved characters,” according to today’s press release.
First up on the docket is a new app based on Pikmin, “with gameplay activities designed to encourage walking and make the activity more enjoyable.” It is being made by Niantic Tokyo Studio.
The new Pikmin app will launch later in 2021. A pre-registration website can be found here.
Here’s the full announcement:
Developer Jon Bookout just wrapped up a month-long Kickstarter campaign for Lucid Soul. After raising $100,000, the mature fantasy RPG will be made for Switch.
Here’s a whole bunch of information about Lucid Soul as well as a trailer:
Eastasiasoft and Omegacore are bringing Hellbreachers to Switch this week, the two sides announced today. The retro-styled action platformer is on track for March 24.
Here’s an overview of Hellbreachers, along with a trailer:
Update (3/22): Amazon’s lineup has indeed slowly started to update, and now includes games like Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville, Crash Bandicoot 4, Astral Chain, and more. Check out the sale page here.
Original (3/21): Usually when Target hosts a buy 2, get 1 free sale, Amazon follows suit. That has again taken place with both retailers. After Target begin its sale earlier today, Amazon just now started offering a similar deal.
The lineup of items is slowly being updated, but it includes games, movies, music, and a bunch of other categories. We recommend keeping an eye on the Amazon sale page here – which currently has over 1,000 items across all products – in the days ahead.
Target’s buy 2, get 1 free deal lasts through March 27. The same likely applies to Amazon as well.
Ratalakia Games is putting another game on Switch this week. One Escape, a puzzle-platformer made by BUG-Studio, will be out on March 26.
We have the following overview and trailer for One Escape:
Nintendo has teamed up with Daedlic Entertainment and Indoor Astronaut on the latest Switch Online Game Trial. At least in Japan, Unrailed! can be played for free between March 29 and April 4, assuming you’re a subscriber of the service. The game will also have a 50 percent discount until April 11.
Nintendo sometimes extends these Game Trials to North America and Europe, so we’ll keep an eye out for any news about plans for the west. In the meantime, you should be able to play Unrailed! for free during the period mentioned above so long as you create a Japanese Nintendo Account, set it up and your Switch system, and download the trial from the Japanese eShop.
