Upcoming Switch Games June 2023

Time to look at the upcoming new release games on our favourite handheld, the Nintendo Switch, for June 2023. Plus, we also feature Upcoming Steam games. For those of you who prefer gaming on Steam!

Not all games to be released are on the list here. Alternatively, you will see games that the other gaming sites don’t mention. We are taking notice of these games. You can expect reviews for many of them if given half a chance! It should be noted that unless we have some personal experience with the game, there’s a link to the descriptions on the Nintendo website.

Etrain Odyssey Origins Collection – June 1st

Explore the rich beginnings of this RPG franchise with remasters of three timeless adventures that inspire players to go on a journey of discovery, mapping deep dungeons, and building customized parties for exploring and engaging in tactical combat. Play as the leader of a guild of adventurers, searching for rare treasures and secrets within the depths of a vast, sprawling labyrinth. Traverse and draw a map of the environment while encountering enemies large and small in turn-based combat, then return to town to rest, sell materials for better equipment, and manage your party, selecting from a collection of heroes to build the right team for the job.

Contains Etrian Odyssey HD, Etrian Odyssey II HD and Etrian Odyssey III HD.

Loop8: Summer of Gods – June 6th

Step into the life of Nini, a newly earthbound teen who arrives in the quaint Japanese town of Ashihara in August 1983. Explore the town, befriend its people, and face off against the Kegai in turn-based battles where the outcomes depend on the relationships you’ve built and the decisions you’ve made. Use Nini’s special connection to the gods to reset the world, with each loop allowing Nini and his allies to relive the 8th month over and over until they get it right…or the Kegai overcome them entirely.

I reviewed the game myself, and though I did like my experience, the game has the potential to be way better…here’s my conclusion:

Playing Loop8: Summer of Gods, I debated about which rating to give. Often I know even from the start which way my verdict will go, but not so this time. At first, the town felt so barren, and I often felt like I was just clicking away. Suggesting as much as I could towards everyone I met. Eventually, I began to see how I should play the game, paying more attention to relationships and whose friendship I wanted the most. Plus, I did my best to max my stats with activities.

I liked the battles; I would have loved more of them, not just on the days that the gate to the underworld was open. But what made me keep on doubting my verdict was the feeling of being an outsider. Sure, I tried to get closer to my classmates by making the right suggestions, but I would have loved more real background stories and feeling. When I suggest “Get to know better”, I really want to know the person!

I am going for I Like It, as I feel Loop8: Summer of Gods has more potential. To get the A Lot added to the I Like It, I would have needed more fleshed-out characters to relate to, making forming an emotional bond less a matter of clicking away and more of really wanting to know them more!

Mask of the Rose – June 8th

Thanks to an unknown bargain, London now resides in a vast cavern under the earth. The sun doesn’t shine here, and Parliament has sunk into the Thames. Queen Victoria never emerges from her palace. Cats spy on their owners and whisper their secrets abroad. The fabric of strait-laced Victorian society has begun to fray. New Masters are in charge. Why are they so… tall? And always cloaked? And why are they so interested in love stories?

The possibilities in this adventure RPG for personal connection in London are different now. Thrown together in crisis, you might befriend or romance many of the characters you meet, from Griz, your assertive housemate for whom the Fall was a chance to break free of Victorian societal norms, to the infernally well-dressed gentleman at the Brass Consulate with the amber eyes.

A Painter’s Tale: Curon, 1950 – June 8th

“A Painter’s Tale” is an adventure game that tells the story of the tiny Südtirol village of Curon Venosta by mixing reality and fiction. The old Curon was flooded by the waters of Lake Reschen in 1950 due to the construction of a dam. What lies beneath the bell tower still emerging from the lake?

Speed Crew – June 8th

Get ready for a high-octane, cooperative party game experience in Speed Crew! Assemble your team of 1-4 players, and take on the role of an elite pit crew tasked with fixing cars and beating the clock to secure victory in this fun and chaotic adventure. With an engaging storyline featuring the antihero Dominion Torrento, you’ll need to work together through four racing championships across four decades, from the 70s to the 00s, to teach him a lesson he won’t forget.

Featuring both local couch co-op and online multiplayer, Speed Crew is perfect for players of all ages and skill levels.

James reviewed Speed Crew and said this in his conclusion.

Speed Crew is another recommended game to add to the co-op game night. As is often the case with these games, this is not recommended for those venturing alone. With other players, the experience is fun and addictive. A few niggles hold it back from top-tier greatness, with items appearing a bit too small on screen, and it’s sometimes hard to tell what exactly needs fixing on the car due to colours blending together. However, my friends and I could look past these and still thoroughly enjoyed our time with it. Speed Crew makes it through the finish line with some dents but still takes first place as a co-op game.

Avia Corporation – June 9th

Avia Corporation invites everyone to feel like the owner of an airline. The game that is an economic strategy where you need to reason and carefully consider every step towards building the airline of your dreams. In this game, a rational approach and strategic planning skill are important.

Paula reviewed the game for us, and was sadly disappointed: 

Avia Corporation is a minimalistic strategy game in more than one sense of the word. It’s minimalistic, from the graphics right down to the tutorial.

Having played many similar games in the economic strategy genre, I wanted to like Avia Corporation. Unfortunately, that was hindered by a poor tutorial that doesn’t explain the game properly and a gameplay loop that feels uninteresting and dull.

Jack Jeanne – June 15th

Kisa is about to abandon her dream of becoming an actor when she is given the opportunity to enrol at the prestigious Univeil Drama School. She is granted admission with two conditions: be chosen as the lead in the final performance and hide her identity as a girl! Competition at the school is fierce and the rivalry is real!

Will Kisa be able to forge powerful bonds with her all-male classmates while competing against them for key roles?

Will she be cast in the lead role in the final performance at the end of the year all while keeping her secret?

Caroline dove into this Otome adventure, her review is here:

I find it difficult to rate Jack Jeanne because I just could never really get into it, due to my own busy personal life at that moment. But looking at all the great elements this game has: visuals, music, characters and the story, I can recognize that this is a great and unique game, and definitely an innovative step for otome games. I would recommend that everyone gives it a try because there is something for everyone in Jack Jeanne. 

Alchemic Cutie – June 16th

While taming wild jellies, you’ll meet villagers, enter jelly competitions and uncover the secrets of the island.

Wimba Island is a huge place with plenty to do. From exploring secret locations to discovering new Jellies scattered all over the island. As the seasons change, so does the island with new areas, different Jellies and items appearing.

Enjoy an engaging Jelly raising system, where each Jelly has uniquely generated stats, traits and over 4000 visual styles. You can tame, breed, and raise the perfect jelly companion and take it with you on adventures.

Befriend a village of goofy, fun, and sometimes complicated characters. Help them by completing quests or just hang out, mingle and get to know them. Who knows…maybe some might be hiding something…

With the use of your flute and a bit of alchemy, you’ll gain the ability to create special items with powerful effects. Or even morph different items into something rare and powerful.

With your proudly raised Jellies, take part in thrilling competitions against other villagers to win medals.

While Lynne liked the game, the performance on the Switch didn’t do it justice. Here’s her review:

Alchemic Cutie is a game of highs and lows. The concept is great, and I adore the pixelated format. Wimba Island is full of mystery, and I’m keen to find out more.  Unfortunately, the faded or night time colouring when it’s raining and the complexity of the jelly colour palette make it hard to give our top rating. The developers have clearly invested a huge amount of time and passion in the game, and I hope they continue to do so.

Ideally, I would rate this as “I Like it a Lot”. However, the poor performance on the Nintendo Switch version renders it impossible to recommend at the time of review.

Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story 2 – June 22nd

Not all heroes are born; many are forged by the finest Hero School – yours. Build and manage your very own hero academy within this simulation-RPG genre blend! Nurture a unique, ever-growing roster of students and fight in strategic turn-based combat as you experience a narrative spanning over ten years.

• Allocate students’ time across multiple different classes to shape them into heroes. Your leadership in the classroom will influence how students behave on quests!
• Select your party for each quest and take your students out for in-field experience as you fight Valthiria’s monsters in turn-based combat.
• The students can’t always be studying or getting in-field experience, right? Take part in swimming, fishing, eating and snowman-building competitions across the seasons!

Uncover the truth behind an ancient dragon awakening to wreak havoc across the world of Valthiria. Can you revive the academy and unite kingdoms to rid the world of evil? James tried to battle evil in his review here:

I like Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story 2, but I can’t recommend it yet based on the bugs and glitches. The game has been in Early Access on PC, so I wonder if some problems have just transferred over to the Switch. I do hope all its issues get ironed out because bugs and glitches aside, this is an addictive experience once you get your head around all the mechanics.

Pretty Princess Magical Garden Island – June 22nd

Set in a cute European fantasy world, this next instalment to the Pretty Princess series will delight all princesses – young or young at heart.

• Cultivate crops and raise livestock while exploring the island to collect resources and create goods in this fun fantasy farming simulation game where you are free to play as you like.
• Roam the island to collect ingredients and materials to craft the goods they need. Back on your farm, plant seeds to raise crops that will grow over time and collect milk and eggs from your animals.
• Use the money and goodwill you earn from your hard work to decorate the island and make it your perfectly cute fantasy home.
• Receive money and Gratitude Points for completing requests from the island residents.

Lynne donned her princess gown and wrote this review:

In its style and presentation, Pretty Princess Magical Garden Island is aimed at a young princess-type gamer. I don’t fit that description, but I still enjoyed my time on Carrot Isle. It’s a stress-free dip in and out of the game, which is bright, colourful and full of sweetness.

Everdream Valley – June 22nd

Everdream Valley is a new farming simulation game, a farming adventure with a dash of magic. By day, you restore your quaint homestead into a summer paradise. Raise crops, care for animals and rebuild to your heart’s content. At night you can inhabit the various farmland creatures through your dreams and bring enchantment to the valley.

I had the pleasure to review the game, find it here:

I’m enjoying my time on my farm immensely. Plenty of different crops, fruit, animals and things to explore. The addition of the night visions, when you inhabit an animal’s mind, may seem like a strange thing to add, but it works. It gives Everdream Valley just a little extra!

Charade Maniacs – June 27th

A mysterious figure abducts Hiyori Sena, transporting her to a strange world with nine other abductees and welcomes them to a world called Arcadia. Everyone must act out “dramas” for a chance to escape, all whilst avoiding the trappings of a traitor.

From the writer of Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly, Uta Amamiya, and the illustrator of Norn9, Teita, whose hand will she take at the end?

Caroline reviewed Charade Maniacs for us, find her review here. 

Would I recommend Charade Maniacs? Yes, I would, but take this with the information that there are plot holes and that the story feels a little rushed. In the end, it didn’t bother me as much, but I can imagine that some people find the plot to be super important. The game does have great qualities, like world-building, and the characters were appealing.

Little Friends: Puppy Island – 27th

Get ready for a pawsome puppy adventure in Little Friends: Puppy Island! Discover exciting locations, dig up hidden treasures, build and expand your holiday resort, and meet plenty of lovable little friends to care for on your very own un-paw-gettable, tropical island adventure!

• Meet, befriend and care for many adorable puppies while exploring a paradise island.
• Uncover and explore eight different locations and find exciting, hidden treasures.
• Become best friends with nine unique puppy breeds with over 140 variations – including Shibas, Labradors, Corgis, Huskies, Pugs and more.
• Build your ultimate puppy paradise! Find the perfect locations and construct new accessory shops and activity stations.
• Bath, feed, walk and play with your puppies.
• Train your puppies and level up their stats in obedience, agility, friendliness & more
• Dress up your pups with over 350 accessories

Paula got to play with the puppies, her review is here:

Little Friends: Puppy Island is a delightfully cute game to play. It wouldn’t be a game I would rush out to buy it as it doesn’t offer any challenge, and I’m so much older than the demographic the game is aimed at. However, I can still see its appeal for players who like looking after virtual puppies, and the game is suitable for all ages.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life – June 27th

Put down roots on your new farm in the peaceful town of Forgotten Valley. Forge precious memories as you weave your own generation-spanning tale of friendship, family, and farming. Bring life to the land by cultivating crops and raising animals, find love among the town’s friendly folk, and make lasting memories with a family of your very own in this reimagining of a beloved farming classic.

Yvonne checked to see if this classic holds up to modern times, check out the review here.

Marvelous did a great job on the remake, STORY of SEASONS: A Wonderful Life is a good game, even 20 years after its origins. You should be aware that STORY of SEASONS: A Wonderful Life tells the story of a farmer’s life. At first, there isn’t a huge variety of crops, fish and things to dig up. Still, your focus should be on trying to make the farm profitable and socializing with the people in the valley. The first chapter is only the intro. New things are introduced in the other chapters as well. And while your family expands, the other people in the valley get older, too and have their own stories.

Noob – The Factionless – June 29th

Follow Baster the Neogician, Drek the Berserker, May the Cartomancer and Logs the Elementalist along their quest for the supreme level to become the elite of the Horizon MMORPG: the Legendary Class!

Face hundreds of monsters and wander around fantastic worlds to give your guild a place it deserves in the world of Horizon, among the mythic Noob, Justice, Roxxor and Pro Game Master guilds. But the challenge you will face will not be limited to Horizon: your avatars will accomplish « real » quests in real life. History can be made both into the game and IRL!

Do you have what it takes to get your team to level 100?

Picontier – June 29th

“Picontier” is a story of mystery and fascinating events that occur on an island as the main character resumes life from scratch and meets many intriguing islanders.

The hero awakens from a long sleep to find that the island’s appearance differs from their memory. Start your life in the town “Magmail” in the centre of the island, making your way with help from the caring AI character “Aila”.

In your island life, you can craft items and weapons, fish in the sea, and grow crops on the ranch. Use newly created items and weapons to interact with the island’s inhabitants, and as you get to know each other, the conversations will change, and you will receive crafting recipes.

Materials are required for crafting, and these are collected both in and out of town. The monsters that appear on the field change between day and night, so check recipes for what you want to make and find the right monsters for the job.

By advancing the main quest, the story of the entire island will progress and evolve. You’ll learn about the mysterious substance “Piconium”, that exists only on this island, and the strange “black fog” that holds the key to the ‘incident’ – including the mysterious disappearance of Professor Jeda after our hero’s awakening. Experience a wondrous story on a mysterious island where magical things happen!

Inner Ashes – June 30th

Inner Ashes is a first-person narrative adventure. In which the player experiences how Alzheimer’s affects people and their memories through an emotive story of a father and daughter set in dreamlike sequences.

The main character, Henry, must go on an introspective journey through two different realities. On his quest to remember why he and his only daughter, Enid, have been estranged for so long.

Exploring his mind: Explore Henry’s mind manifested as several dreamlike islands that represent different symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and unlock his memories by solving puzzles.