SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘OPUS: Echo of Starsong’, Plus the Latest News, Releases, and Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for May 30th, 2022. We’re kicking off the week with a bit of news that popped up over the weekend before heading into a lovely, detailed review by our pal Mikhail of the excellent OPUS: Echo of Starsong. After that, we have a few highly dubious new releases to check out, plus some fresh sales and expiring discounts. Let’s get this party started!

News

‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords’ Port Announced

Sometimes things happen after I go home for the night. Rarely, things happen after I go home for the weekend. Such was the case last Friday when Aspyr announced that they will be bringing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords to the Nintendo Switch on June 8th. The price will be $15.00, and you can pre-order it now. Better still, the mod that basically completes the infamously unfinished game will be made available as a free download in the future. Very cool.

The Latest ‘Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes’ Trailer Highlights Leicester Alliance

We’re not far at all from the release of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, which is set to hit the Switch on June 24th. Nintendo has been releasing trailers on its YouTube channel, as it does, and the latest introduces players to the characters of the Leicester Alliance. If you’re a bit rusty on who that is, the leader is Claude. He was the upside-down guy in yellow clothes on the Three Houses box art. Beyond that, watch the trailer. The quips will give you the basic outline.

Reviews

OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition ($24.99)

I adore SIGONO’s OPUS series of narrative adventure games with puzzle elements. Having played OPUS: The Day We Found Earth and Rocket of Whispers on Nintendo Switch and iOS, I was very excited for the studio’s next game. OPUS: Echo of Starsong, the newest game from SIGONO, eventually hit PC, and I patiently waited for any news on an iOS release to play it on iPad. I enjoyed the first two games on a portable, and was hoping to do the same with OPUS: Echo of Starsong. Jared sent me a Steam Deck recently, and I decided it was finally time to play OPUS: Echo of Starsong. Around the same time, SIGONO shadowdropped an enhanced version of the game on Switch with new voice acting in Japanese and Chinese. When it rains, it pours I guess?

I had patiently waited on playing this, and OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition made that wait worth it because the voice acting is a brilliant addition to an already amazing game. If you already played OPUS: Echo of Starsong on PC, the Steam version was just updated to bring in the voice acting, and that’s really the main addition between the original release and the Full Bloom Edition. On Nintendo Switch, it has been updated since launch already, and despite some technical issues that I expected in a game like this, it manages to excel above most releases on the system in recent months thanks to its storytelling, visuals, and superlative soundtrack.

OPUS: Echo of Starsong is an adventure game that deals with asteroids emitting sounds called Starsongs. Just like the other OPUS games, OPUS: Echo of Starsong is more about the character’s journey, the interactions, and being hit by a truck of emotions towards the end. You will likely cry a few times here, especially at the end. I cannot praise SIGONO enough for how much of a jump in quality this is compared to the prior games which I loved. This is really game of the year material.

I’ve praised OPUS: Echo of Starsong a lot so far and have avoided detailing much of the story to avoid spoilers for the real meat of the experience, but the sad thing is the gameplay isn’t the best. It is forgettable and more of a means to an end for the storytelling. It didn’t bother me much in the 8 hours or so that I spent in the game on Switch and the few hours I played on Steam Deck to compare, but just keep in mind that you aren’t here for the gameplay. The storytelling here reminds me a bit of Outer Wilds which I’m still hoping comes to Switch soon.

Barring the story, the real star of OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition is the soundtrack from Triodust. I cannot imagine you will not be listening to the soundtrack on its own after playing through the game. I really hope OPUS eventually gets an anime or spin-off because it more than deserves it with the storytelling and music.

The Nintendo Switch version of OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition is held back by a few technical issues. The image quality when docked isn’t the best, but it looks great on the OLED screen in handheld mode. Load times aren’t the best either compared to Steam Deck which also runs at a higher and more consistent frame rate. These issues are more pronounced in some later sections of the game. Hopefully the performance can be improved a bit in future patches at least.

I’m genuinely surprised at the jump in production values and quality from the second game to OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition. If you enjoy memorable stories and great music, this is essential. Even with the few technical issues and downgrades compared to the PC version, OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition is superb on Switch and one of my favorite games on the system this year. OPUS: Echo of Starsong joins 13 Sentinels and Triangle Strategy as the top tier Switch games of 2022 and I hope it eventually makes the jump to iOS in the future alongside a nice Nintendo Switch physical release. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

New Releases

Buck Bradley 2 ($6.99)

If you enjoyed the somewhat middling first Buck Bradley adventure game, here is the next part of the story. You should not start here if you haven’t touched the series at all. Go back to the first one. Buck is still trying to find a way to help his mutated friend, and I expect he’ll still be doing that by the end of this one. The visuals remain highly appealing and full of character, which is always a nice thing in an adventure game. Other than that, I don’t have a lot to say for or against this.

The Fly Plane: Flight Simulator ($3.99)

In my opinion, if your game has the word ‘simulator’ in its title, it had better be one of two things. First, an actual simulation of something. Second, an absurdly ironic thing that is using the term sarcastically. If you’re not in one of those two buckets, I’m going to be a bit annoyed if you use the word. Anyway, this is neither ironic nor a proper flight simulator. You fly your plane around five fantastical areas, seeking out collectible goodies. Is there such a thing as a dollar-store Aery? If so, this is that.

Toonkars Racer ($1.75)

More junk. Another single-player top-down “mini car" racer that looks like it was cobbled together from a template. Four tracks. The price is low, but surely your time is worth something?

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Oh hey, Dragon’s Dogma is ten bucks. That’s a new low price, probably to celebrate the original game’s tenth anniversary. I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t have some rough edges, but it’s a very intriguing game that is worth picking up. Aside from that, I don’t have much specific interest in anything in the inbox. As for the outbox, Annapurna’s latest sale is wrapping up. It’s your last chance for likely a little while to grab the likes of Donut County, Kentucky Route Zero, and What Remains of Edith Finch at lower prices. Check those lists as ever.

Select New Games on Sale

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen ($9.99 from $29.99 until 6/3)
Aloof ($1.99 from $9.99 until 6/3)
B.ARK ($5.99 from $9.99 until 6/3)
Nirvana Pilot Yume ($1.99 from $4.99 until 6/7)
Jade Order ($4.89 from $6.99 until 6/8)
The Outer Worlds ($23.99 from $59.99 until 6/8)
The Outer Worlds Expansion Pass ($19.99 from $24.99 until 6/8)
Blastful ($1.99 from $3.99 until 6/11)
NeonLore ($2.99 from $5.99 until 6/11)
Frightence ($2.99 from $5.99 until 6/11)
Bud Spencer & Terence Hill S&B ($2.99 from $19.99 until 6/13)
Moon Raider ($2.99 from $9.99 until 6/14)
Farm Tycoon ($17.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Mana Spark ($1.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)

AeternoBlade ($2.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
AeternoBlade II ($3.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Cook, Serve, Delicious 2 ($2.07 from $12.99 until 6/17)
Cook, Serve, Delicious 3 ($7.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Lumberhill ($9.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Paradise Lost ($5.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Fort Triumph ($9.90 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Akane ($1.99 from $4.99 until 6/17)
Red Wings: American Aces ($8.39 from $11.99 until 6/17)
Dwarf Journey ($2.49 from $7.99 until 6/17)
Summertime Madness ($10.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Offroad Night Racing ($6.49 from $12.99 until 6/17)
Camper Van Simulator ($8.44 from $12.99 until 6/17)
Viviette ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)

Werewolf The Apocalypse HotF ($5.54 from $14.99 until 6/17)
35MM ($6.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Crazy Chicken Xtreme ($18.74 from $24.99 until 6/17)
Liberated: Enhanced Edition ($7.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Wild & Horror Pinball ($5.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Chubby Cat ($1.99 from $9.99 until 6/19)
Hope’s Farm ($1.99 from $19.99 until 6/19)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 31st

A Memoir Blue ($5.99 from $7.99 until 5/31)
Battle Group 2 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Blood Will Be Spilled ($1.99 from $14.99 until 5/31)
Bounty Battle ($4.99 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Buildings Have Feelings Too! ($5.99 from $19.99 until 5/31)
Candle: Power of the Flame ($3.99 from $19.99 until 5/31)
City of Brass ($1.99 from $19.99 until 5/31)
Cloudpunk ($9.99 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Cultist Simulator ($5.99 from $19.99 until 5/31)
Curious Cases ($3.99 from $4.99 until 5/31)
CyberHive ($6.49 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Don’t Give Up: A Cynical Tale ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Donut County ($3.79 from $12.99 until 5/31)
Escape 2088 ($3.20 from $4.00 until 5/31)
Escape First ($3.99 from $4.99 until 5/31)

Escape First 2 ($3.99 from $4.99 until 5/31)
Escape First 3 ($3.99 from $4.99 until 5/31)
Feudal Alloy ($1.99 from $16.99 until 5/31)
Florence ($1.99 from $5.99 until 5/31)
Foreclosed ($5.99 from $19.99 until 5/31)
Gone Home ($4.49 from $14.99 until 5/31)
Gorogoa ($4.49 from $14.99 until 5/31)
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy ($39.99 from $59.99 until 5/31)
HoPiKo ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Kentucky Route Zero ($14.99 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Lofi Ping Pong ($2.74 from $4.99 until 5/31)
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes ($7.49 from $24.99 until 5/31)
My Little Dog Adventure ($4.99 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Never Again ($4.89 from $13.99 until 5/31)
Pinball FX3 – Sci-Fi Pack ($2.99 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Pinball FX3 – Williams Vol.5 ($4.49 from $9.99 until 5/31)

Sayonara Wild Hearts ($7.79 from $12.99 until 5/31)
SkateBIRD ($16.99 from $19.99 until 5/31)
SmileBASIC 4 ($12.49 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Spheroids ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/31)
Spirit of the North ($9.99 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Stranded Sails: EotCI ($7.49 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Super Soccer Blast ($3.99 from $7.99 until 5/31)
Super Tennis Blast ($4.49 from $14.99 until 5/31)
Super Volley Blast ($4.99 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Telling Lies ($5.99 from $19.99 until 5/31)
The Artful Escape ($13.29 from $19.99 until 5/31)
The Choice of Life: Middle Ages ($2.74 from $4.99 until 5/31)
The Count Lucanor ($2.99 from $14.99 until 5/31)
The Experiment Escape Room ($3.19 from $3.99 until 5/31)
Toby: The Secret Mine ($1.99 from $11.99 until 5/31)
Truck Simulator USA 2022 ($2.39 from $11.99 until 5/31)
Twelve Minutes ($17.49 from $24.99 until 5/31)
What Remains of Edith Finch ($5.99 from $19.99 until 5/31)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with a couple of reviews, some new releases, fresh sales, and maybe some news. I tell you, it’s never a good sign when it’s only Monday and you’re already tired, but here we are. I hope you all have a great Monday, and as always, thanks for reading!