Mech shooters tend to appeal only to a small demographic, which is perhaps why Nintendo was able to justify sandwiching DAEMON X MACHINA between Astral Chain and next week’s highly anticipated Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake.
Fans of Armored Core and similar mech shooters have no doubt had it on their radar since the E3 reveal. If you were waiting for reviews to drop before opening your wallet, chances are you made a decision after yesterday’s embargo lifted – scores are mostly 6s and 7s so far. More positive reviews are very few.
Nintendo Life and Destructoid dished out 7/10s, panning the performance issues and lack of mission variety, while IGN opted for a 6.5. “Like a mech without a pilot, Daemon X Machina is a beautiful shell with not enough to fill it,†they said.
Team 17’s Blasphemous has mostly gained a mixture of 7s and 8s, meanwhile. It blends Dark Souls and Castlevania together in a similar manner to Dead Cells, but it’s far, far, bleaker. The Metro praised the 2D animation, inventive boss battles, and clever level design.
Then there’s The Sinking City, the dark Lovecraftian adventure that sunk without a trace on PS4 and Xbox One. The first review out the door is a middling 50% from Gaming Trend, who noted numerous performance issues. So much for it gaining a second chance on Switch.
“After looking at all the evidence, I must say I almost enjoyed The Sinking City. There is a solid game here buried under technical problems and tedium. The interesting characters and quirky protagonist were almost enough to keep me interested, but sloppy combat and plentiful walking eventually wore me down. This is a paranormal call I recommend walking away from,†was their verdict.
Star Wars Pinball also bounces onto the handheld this week, available both as a download and as a retail release, featuring 19 different tables. That’s joined by the colourful 3D platformer Newt One, Amnesia: Collection – which includes The Dark Descent, A Machine For Pigs, and Justine – rhythm dodgeball game Super Dodgeball Beats, and a demo of Konami’s CONTRA: ROGUE CORPS.
Due to the imminent arrival of the Switch Lite next week could possibly be the busiest the eShop has ever seen – it seems many publishers have held software back to launch alongside the redesigned handheld. Can’t say we blame them.
New Switch eShop releases
The Sinking City – £44.99
The Sinking City is an adventure and investigation game set in an open world inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of Horror. The half-submerged city of Oakmont is gripped by supernatural forces. You’re a private investigator, and you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the city… and the minds of its inhabitants.
DAEMON X MACHINA – £49.99
A mighty war between man and machine rages in DAEMON X MACHINA, a new action shooter packed with fast-paced combat, explosive destruction and a huge array of weaponry. Step out onto a futuristic battlefield and fight for the future of mankind on Nintendo Switch.
Amnesia: Collection – £25.20
The collection contains three Amnesia titles: The Dark Descent, A Machine For Pigs, and Justine. Experience the horror that kickstarted the Let’s Play revolution; be immersed in three living nightmares that will chill you to the core.
Newt One – £7.99
Newt One rewards players for how much life they bring to the game world, not how much life is taken from it. Experience your progress through color and music swelling in the game world as you play as Newt – a new tone in the musical land of Groovy Hue which has fallen to the Great Slumber. Awaken this sleeping, silent world to new heights of color and music in this colorful and relaxing 3D Platforming journey of cheer, music, and friendship – Newt One’s purpose is to create happiness.
The Tenth Line Special Edition – £10.99
In The Tenth Line, you’ll guide the princess of the tiny nation of Easania, along with her unusual but reliable companions, and explore a vibrant world of humans, beasts, and dragons, while escaping the clutches of a mysterious cult in hot pursuit.
Explore the world through fast-paced 2D platforming by controlling three separate characters, each with unique movement mechanics and ways of interacting with the world.
Throne Quest Deluxe – £4.49
Throne Quest Deluxe is a seem-less open-world Action Role Playing Game (ARPG). Delve into an adventurous world full of dungeons and crypts, fighting many types of vicious monsters and search for huge amounts of loot. Change between 11 classes throwing your axes, fire, harps and even a djenty-guitar in fast-paced combat whilst gulping potions and collecting drops to level-up and become a champion. Explore your way through the dangers of the lands on an epic quest to reach the central castle- to claim the Throne held by a demon boss.
Hyperdrive Massacre – £7.19
Hyperdrive Massacre is an 80s inspired local multiplayer fragfest for up to 4 players. Players take control of a space Cadillac and frag their way to victory against friends or can also play against AI. Both modes allow players to unlock a full crew roster.
Sydney Hunter and the Curse of the Mayan – £16.09
You play as Sydney Hunter, an explorer who gets trapped inside a Maya pyramid while he is out exploring the region of Yucatan.
Sydney soon discovers that Kinich Ahau (the Maya sun god) and Kukulkan (the feathered serpent god) have broken up the sacred Maya Haab calendar into seven separate pieces, has taken four precious idols, and are hiding them throughout the pyramid.
Battle Supremacy – Evolution – £8.99
Experience the true power in Battle Supremacy: EVOLUTION, a sci-fi transforming vehicles game with thrilling gameplay and showoff-worthy visuals.
Act as a tank, a drone or an airplane, Battle it out in this riveting game, packed with lush landscapes and destructible environments. Drive or fly through futuristic cities with suspended highways and gigantic bridges.
Super Dodgeball Beats – £11.99
Take part in insanely cool dodgeball games played to the rhythm of 18 original music tracks. Conquer your rivals in style with perfect rhythm and sweet moves. There’s nothing else like it!
Star Wars Pinball – £26.99
Feel the power of the Forceâ„¢ in Star Warsâ„¢ Pinball!
19 TABLES CELEBRATING A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY
Atomic Heist – £7.19
It has been nearly six years since the end of the Delotian wars. Our first war… our first contact, with an alien race. We thought the Delotians were coming to annihilate us. We later learned they were running away from the real threat. For eighteen generations the Delotians were hunted by the Rhaokyns. Everything they knew, everything they were had been lost or destroyed. The Delotians travelled through subspace to remote parts of the galaxy to hide from their hunters. Luck brought them to our backyard. They wanted help. They needed help. We didn’t listen.
CHOP – £8.99
Accessible in its mechanics, CHOP offers a real strategic dimension and a depth of gameplay that will put your skills to the test.
One hit to kill, respawn almost instantly. CHOP is meant to give a feeling close to what you can experience in fast FPS, mixed with platformer setting and influences from beloved titles. it speaks to those who like gore, comics, post-apocalyptic settings and are looking for a supercharged party game!
Rest in Pieces – £6.99
Awake little Georgina from her evil clown dream, weaved of her worst fears. Help the drunken pirate Jack Parrot to vanquish the horrible sea monster Kraken. Save Father Lugosi from Count Draculas bloodthirsty fangs. Rest in Pieces includes many souls to save, and several frightening nightmares to wake up from.
Ellen – £7.19
Help young investigator James uncover the dark truth behind the murder of the Smiths and their missing daughter Ellen in this thrilling 2D pixel horror game.
Ritual – £8.99
Equip your sorcerer with powerful combinations of Spells and Skills and blaze through horders of monsters in a unique spell-casting action RPG.
DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition – £5.99
DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition is a 2D psychological horror adventure game that tells the story of Price, a young man who seizes an old woman’s apartment. After seizing her home, his humanity is now gone. So begins his tale of regrets…
Blasphemous – £19.99
A foul curse has fallen upon the land of Cvstodia and all its inhabitants – it is simply known as The Miracle.
Play as The Penitent One – a sole survivor of the massacre of the ‘Silent Sorrow’. Trapped in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, it’s down to you to free the world from this terrible fate and reach the origin of your anguish.
Super Jumpy Ball – £4.99
Super Jumpy Ball is a simple & fun 2D platform game for 1-8 players, inspired by retro platformers. Faced with clever level design and challenging obstacles, players must find their way through each level while bouncing, wall jumping, avoiding spikes and spike balls.
Island Maze – £2.69
When you’re a cube, even a simple island becomes a puzzling maze. It’s time to shine and bring out the best in you. Collect keys, climb steep walls and manipulate your surroundings to finally reach the portal.
New Switch trials
- Trials RisingÂ
- CONTRA: ROGUE CORPSÂ
- Yellow Fins
- MISTOVERÂ
New on 3DS eShop
Breakout Defender – £5.99
Breakout Defender is a breakout game where you will face off against the computer opponent through 15 exciting levels.
Next week: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Devil May Cry 2, GRID Autosport, Ni No Kuni Remastered: Wrath of the White Witch, Castle Crashers Remastered, Untitled Goose Game, Spellword, Tyd wag vir Niemand, Niffelheim, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES, Jet Kave Adventure, Inferno 2, Lost Castle, Police Stories, and Puzzle Quest: The Legend Returns.