SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Gunvolt Chronicles 2’, ‘Vagante’, ‘COGEN: Sword of Rewind’, Plus Today’s Other Releases and Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for January 27th, 2022. In today’s article, we’ve got a whole bunch of new releases to check out. It’s a dangerous one for the wallet today, as there are several interesting games to consider. We’ve got summaries of all of the new titles, plus the usual lists of incoming and outgoing sales to look at. Let’s get to work!

New Releases

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 ($24.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Copen returns for more white-knuckle 2D action in this sequel to the original Luminous Avenger iX. Dash and slash through tricky levels, beat bosses, earn new weapons, and ascend a tower with your impressive agility. By now I feel like most of us know what we’re going to get with a new Inti-Creates game, and this one doesn’t buck the trend. It scratches that Mega Man X/Zero-ish itch very well, so if that’s what you’re craving, you know what to do.

COGEN: Sword of Rewind ($24.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

But wait, there’s more! Here’s another cool 2D action-platformer, with the main gimmick here being that the main character’s sword can rewind time a few seconds. You’re going to need it because in this game a single hit spells instant death. Developer Gemdrops isn’t as much of a known quantity as Inti-Creates, but it’s clear the latter has some faith in them as this game includes DLC that allows you to play as Copen from Gunvolt Chronicles, with his own little story and everything. Fans of side-scrolling action games are eating well today.

Vagante ($14.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Ho, now this one has some rich flavor. Vagante is a side-scrolling action roguelike, and it hits a lot of the right notes for the genre. Choose from a variety of character classes and head into the caves alone or with friends. You likely won’t get out alive. Tons of loot, tons of secrets, and just the right amount of frustration. If you’ve enjoyed games like Spelunky or Dead Cells, you’ll want to give Vagante your attention.

Concordia: Digital Edition ($24.99)

Acram Digital has prepared a Switch version of the popular board game about economic development in ancient Rome. Build your trade empire and compete against the computer, or tackle other human players via local hotseat or online multiplayer. It’s a solid board game and it looks like this digital version checks all of the necessary boxes.

Hatsune Miku Connecting Puzzle Tamagotori ($14.00)

Miku’s back with another puzzle game for Switch owners. The idea here is that you need to connect eggs with the same patterns using a line that bends no more than twice. You’ll have to think carefully before each move if you want to clear all of the eggs and move on to the next stage. Finishing puzzles will unlock pictures and give you food to call birds to your Bird’s Square. Naturally, there are some Hatsune Miku tunes in here. Five in all, written specifically for this game. Miku fans, do what you must.

Serin Fate ($19.99)

Lot of interesting games today, that’s for sure. This one seems like it’s going to be a farming sim with some action-adventure bits, similar to Stardew Valley, but the farming end of things is more of a side hustle.  A substantial one, but a side hustle nonetheless. The creature-catching component is a big part of the game, with tons of Chimera to recruit and train. It’s been out for a while on other platforms and the general consensus seems to be that it’s a fun game with some rough edges. It doesn’t explain itself as much as it probably should, and the difficulty curve isn’t the smoothest. But if you’re the patient sort who is willing to give a game time to unravel, you may find some treasure here.

Magi Trials ($9.99)

Seeking to enter a prestigious school of magic, Shaun (no relation) makes use of a ritual to give himself more magical ability. It works, but it also turns him into a woman. These things happen. So not only does Shaun/Sophie need to get acclimated to a new school, he also needs to get used to a new gender. A wacky premise! Romance! Danger! Multiple endings based on your choices! Yes, this is certainly a visual novel, isn’t it? Magi Trials doesn’t take itself too seriously, but maybe that’s what you’re looking for today.

Crazy Athletics – Summer Sports and Games ($15.89)

A very cartoony sports game for up to four players via local multiplayer. There are ten different types of sports set across ten maps and a whopping eighty events. Rather than go the usual button-mashing route, this game sees you tapping the buttons to the beat of more than one hundred different songs. It’s as much a rhythm game as it is a sports game, in other words. Cool idea.

Arcade Archives Pistol Daimyo no Bouken ($7.99)

Ha ha ha, oh wow. Hamster keeps finding new obscurities, and I’m loving it. Pistol Daimyo no Bouken is a 1990 release from Namco, and as you can probably guess from the title, it was not released outside of Japan back in the day. It’s a side-scrolling shooter featuring a historical Japanese lord with a pistol strapped to his head. Because… why not? Why not, I ask you? It’s mercilessly tough, completely bonkers, and while it’s not very fun to play I am thrilled to see it get a rerelease. This is the kind of game that Namco would almost never think to put out there again on its own.

Unforeseen Incidents ($19.99)

Hunh, I did not see this one coming. It’s an adventure game about a guy who stumbles on a conspiracy to let loose a terrible virus. The only way to prevent a calamity is if he keeps digging until he finds the truth and exposes the fiends involved in the plan. This game came out a few years ago on other platforms and seems to be generally well-liked. If you’re in the mood for a moody point-and-click style adventure game, look this one up.

Gomoku Let’s Go ($4.99)

Gomoku is a board game played with a Go board and pieces, but is considerably simpler to play. The aim is to make five in a row with your color of stones, so it’s like a more complex version of Tic-Tac-Toe. This seems like a reasonable enough version of the game for the price, allowing you to play with another player via local multiplayer or take on an AI opponent of varying skills. Do note that if you own Clubhouse Games, you already own a nice version of Gomoku.

Zodiac Tri Peaks Solitaire ($4.99)

Yes, that’s a TriPeaks solitaire game alright. It has a zodiac theme, and you can unlock new card themes and backgrounds as you go. Not much more I can say about this game.

Crush Crush (Free)

This is an idle dating simulation game, and as you can guess from its price tag there are plenty of IAPs involved if you want to see it all. Build up your stats, land a nice job, send some presents, take the ladies on dates, and see if you can actually impress any of them. Well, it’s free to try.

Hidden Paws ($3.99)

You have to search around various winter scenes to find all of the cats that are hidden. There are just over a dozen scenes, with 120 cats in all to locate. You’ll have to look carefully, interacting with objects as needed. Seems chill.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Not a bad batch to start the end-of-week sales with. Necrobarista immediately jumps out, and if you’ve been curious about the Leisure Suit Larry games the Saga has been discounted to the sub-ten dollar level. I’m sure we’ll have a whole lot more to talk about tomorrow, so don’t blow your whole budget just yet. Not too much of concern in the list of expiring sales, but give it a quick peek anyway just to be sure.

Select New Games on Sale

Dead by Daylight ($14.99 from $29.99 until 2/4)
Luna The Shadow Dust ($13.99 from $19.99 until 2/7)
Rhythm Fighter ($11.89 from $16.99 until 2/7)
Detention ($9.09 from $12.99 until 2/7)
Dying: Reborn ($6.99 from $9.99 until 2/7)
Shio ($9.09 from $12.99 until 2/7)
Rascal Fight ($8.39 from $11.99 until 2/7)
Christmas Tina ($18.89 from $26.99 until 2/7)
Necrobarista: Final Pour ($15.39 from $21.99 until 2/7)
Chinese Parents ($9.09 from $12.99 until 2/7)
BFF or Die ($2.99 from $7.99 until 2/9)
Inferno 2 ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/9)
Dimension Drive ($1.99 from $12.99 until 2/9)
Lost Wing ($1.99 from $7.99 until 2/9)
Back to Bed ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/9)

Rainswept ($2.49 from $9.99 until 2/9)
Lumini ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/9)
Luckslinger ($3.99 from $9.99 until 2/9)
Batu Ta Batu ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/9)
The Bug Butcher ($1.99 from $7.99 until 2/9)
STAB STAB STAB! ($3.99 from $9.99 until 2/9)
Steamburg ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/9)
Die for Valhalla! ($2.39 from $11.99 until 2/9)
Wingspan ($13.39 from $19.99 until 2/9)
Tetsumo Party ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/9)
Immortal Planet ($5.99 from $14.99 until 2/9)
Castle of Pixel Skulls ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/9)
Thea: The Awakening ($7.19 from $17.99 until 2/9)
A Pretty Odd Bunny ($3.49 from $4.99 until 2/9)
Starlight Shores ($6.99 from $11.99 until 2/10)

Deadly Days ($2.08 from $18.99 until 2/16)
Encodya ($8.99 from $29.99 until 2/16)
Figment ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
Leisure Suit Larry WDDD ($3.99 from $39.99 until 2/16)
Leisure Suit Larry WDDT ($7.99 from $39.99 until 2/16)
Leisure Suit Larry WD Saga ($9.74 from $64.99 until 2/16)
Jessika ($2.99 from $14.99 until 2/16)
Shakes on a Plane ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/16)
The Innsmouth Case ($2.24 from $14.99 until 2/16)
Power Racing Bundle 2 ($3.39 from $16.99 until 2/16)
#Xmas, Puzzles Dream ($1.99 from $5.99 until 2/16)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, January 28th

Bargain Hunter ($7.49 from $12.49 until 1/28)
Battle Princess Madelyn ($4.99 from $19.99 until 1/28)
Battle Princess Madelyn Royal ($3.74 from $14.99 until 1/28)
Brawl Chess ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/28)
Bunny Adventure ($2.10 from $6.00 until 1/28)
Cargo Crew Driver ($5.99 from $11.99 until 1/28)
Chameleon Run DE ($1.99 from $5.99 until 1/28)
City Bus Driving Sim ($4.79 from $11.99 until 1/28)
Coast Guard Beach Rescue ($4.79 from $11.99 until 1/28)
DayD: Through Time ($2.99 from $9.99 until 1/28)
Deep Diving Adventures ($3.99 from $19.99 until 1/28)
Detective Driver: Miami Files ($4.79 from $11.99 until 1/28)
Dynamite Fishing World Games ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/28)
Earthlock ($5.68 from $29.90 until 1/28)
Extreme Car Driver ($5.99 from $11.99 until 1/28)

Gas Station Highway Services ($4.79 from $11.99 until 1/28)
Jim is Moving Out! ($1.99 from $14.99 until 1/28)
Little Misfortune ($6.99 from $19.99 until 1/28)
Multilevel Parking Driver ($5.99 from $11.99 until 1/28)
Parking Madness ($2.10 from $6.00 until 1/28)
Pile Up! Box by Box ($10.49 from $14.99 until 1/28)
Sea King Hunter ($2.99 from $9.99 until 1/28)
The Game of Life 2 ($20.99 from $29.99 until 1/28)
The Keep ($2.99 from $17.99 until 1/28)
The Office Quest ($4.19 from $11.99 until 1/28)
The Shadow You ($6.49 from $9.99 until 1/28)
Time Tenshi ($8.99 from $14.99 until 1/28)
Tower Climb ($2.10 from $6.00 until 1/28)
Truck Simulator 2 ($5.99 from $11.99 until 1/28)
Unlock the Cat ($2.99 from $3.99 until 1/28)
Up Cliff Drive ($2.10 from $6.00 until 1/28)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with the rest of the releases for the week, with Pokemon Legends: Arceus leading the way in style. Metroidvania fans will definitely want to set their sights on Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth, and those who enjoyed the original Peace, Death! will surely be interested in its sequel. Those are just the highlights of tomorrow’s line-up, so make sure you’re there. I hope you all have a great Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!