NINTENDO Switch] "Moonlighter" & "Cuphead" Play Review - A Hit Around the World

Indie games are released weekly on the Nintendo DS. Unlike games sold in packages, indie games have many unique titles available. Among them, some of the games originating from indies have become big hits all over the world.

Now, the game we will introduce this time is

• Moonlighter: The Adventures of a Shopkeeper and a Hero", a game that allows you to enjoy dungeon exploration and management
• Cuphead" is an action game with beautiful cartoon animation.

Cuphead" is an action game with beautiful cartoon animation. Please check them out.

Moonlighter: The Adventures of the Shopkeeper and the Brave

• Teyon Japan
• Suggested retail price (including tax): 2,000 yen
• (On sale March 28, 2019)

Stores are an important part of the real world. We live our daily lives by purchasing food, sundries, and other goods. This title is about managing such stores. However, even though you manage a shop, you need to procure items to sell from dungeons. We enter the dungeon, fight monsters, search for items, bring them back, and sell them in the store.

In the dungeon, you will fight enemies as if you are playing an action RPG. Defeat enemies by using evasion and attacks. The dungeon has a retro game style. The dungeon can be viewed on a single screen, so it is easy to explore. You don't have to attack the dungeon. Once you get an item, escape from the dungeon and return to the store.

The store will sell the items you have obtained. Items do not have a fixed price, so you set your own price. This is one of the key points. When you actually sell the items in the store, customers will look at the price and give you many different looks. The key to a thriving business is to set an appropriate price. Try it out through trial and error.

You can also develop your village with the money you earn from your store. At first, the village will be desolate, but when blacksmith shops and potion shops are established, it will become lively and adventures will become more comfortable. Don't forget to invest in the village as well as conquer dungeons and manage stores.

The graphics in this title are drawn in pixel art, which gives the game a beautiful world view different from that of 3D games. We think that those who like this kind of dot-picture game will love it, so please check it out.

Cuphead

• StudioMDHR
• Suggested retail price (tax included): 1,980 yen
• (Available April 18, 2019)

Inspired by hand-drawn cel-animated and watercolor backgrounds, jazz music, and 1930s cartoons, this is a simple side-scrolling action game. Although the game features many cute characters, the game itself has been talked about around the world as being very difficult.

The story of this game begins with Cuphead and Magman enjoying gambling at a casino. Suddenly, they are challenged to a game by the casino manager, the result of which is ....... Because of this, they set out on an adventure to collect the souls of debtors. The opening of the game, drawn in a picture book style, is also a must-see.

The game's controls can be found in the tutorial. It is important to have a firm grasp of the basic actions here. In particular, the dash, which can be used with the X button, is an important means of movement. You will be able to pass through places that are normally impassable by jumping, so make sure you know how to use the dash.

Now, let's jump into the game world. You will move freely around the world map, which is drawn in a watercolor style, to find stages. There are two types of stages: one is called "Run & Gun," in which you clear the stage, and the other is called "Run & Gun," in which you fight bosses directly. The "Run & Gun" stages are orthodox side-scrolling stages with simple rules for reaching the goal.

In stages where you fight bosses, the boss battle begins right from the start of the stage. Since the attack patterns change depending on the damage inflicted, you may find it difficult to defeat him at first, but once you understand his moves, you will find a way to attack him. Also, only the boss stages allow you to change the difficulty level before you start, so try an easy level first.

This title is an overseas indie title, and until now it has not been supported in Japanese, but it has been localized for distribution on the Nintendo DS. The titles of the stages were newly drawn for the localization. The font, which was created so as not to destroy the game's worldview, is a must-see.

This game is extremely challenging! Although it is an action game, players will be able to improve their techniques and clear the game by trying over and over again. We hope you will enjoy adventuring in this vast world. （New Samurai)