It’s June already? Somehow it doesn’t seem like we’re almost halfway through the year! And I’m already singing Christmas songs, I’m sorry. I’ve been keeping busy and enjoying my Switch in my free time, and developers & publishers continue to spoil players with unique concepts. Looks like we’re in for another great month – here are some upcoming games that I think look like fun!

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge 🐸

• Price: $19.99 USD
• Developer: Humble Reeds
• Publisher: Armor Games Studios
• Release Date: June 8, 2024

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge instantly caught my attention with its pretty pastels and adorable amphibians. Sure enough, it looks and sounds like my kind of game. Players will have to revitalize wetlands to turn them into a sanctuary for frogs.

Gameplay consists of restoring the land into a natural environment for the frogs. Attract new frogs with different kinds of furniture, and “feed, breed, collect, and raise all of the game’s 500+ frogs”! Animal preservation mixed with cozy gaming sounds ribbiting riveting to me! 🐸

Lesson Learned

• Price: $9.99
• Developer: MadGamesmith
• Publisher: Gaming Factory
• Release Date: June 12, 2024

Next up, we have Lesson Learned, a historical tower defense game with both solo and co-op modes. As Frank, travel to 6 time periods and meet historical figures (with some creative license applied).

You’ll have to free Frank’s classmates and get them to help you gather resources to build and upgrade your towers. Battle waves of cavemen, French soldiers, medieval knights, and more to escape from Frank’s dream. I’ve always loved history, so I’m interested in seeing how it’s embedded in the game.

Astrune Academy

• Price: $14.99 (currently on sale for $13.49 until June 20th)
• Developer: Exe Create
• Publisher: KEMCO
• Release Date: June 13, 2024

Sailor Moon was my introduction to the magical girl genre as a kid, so I’ve always had a soft spot for media using it as a theme. In Astrune Academy you’ll attend classes, work on assignments, and do your best to become an accomplished sorcerer. Choose different elemental magics to master, use “Soul Source Magic,” and summon demons for use in tactical battles as you explore the academy grounds and the surrounding areas.

#BLUD

• Price: TBD
• Developer: Exit 73 Studios
• Publisher: Humble Games
• Release Date: June 18, 2024

Right away #BLUD made me think of the cartoons I watched as a kid. In this animated dungeon crawler, you play as the new kid in town, who happens to come from a long line of vampire hunters with magical abilities. Defend the town against mutated animals and vampiric enemies, and upgrade your makeshift weapon and magic skills to improve your chances in battle. While it may have the ‘90s aesthetic down, social media plays a role in how you find your next targets and discover their weaknesses. (Imagine Buffy on Facebook!)

Dicefolk

• Price: $14.99 (currently on sale for $11.99 until June 20th)
• Developer: Tiny Ghoul & Leap Game Studios
• Publisher: Good Shepherd
• Release Date: June 20, 2024

Roguelites and monster catching games are always fun, but have you considered putting those genres together? That’s what the team behind Dicefolk decided to do, adding dice to the mix! Choose from more than 100 Chimera monsters to add to your team, and switch things up based on your current foes.

Intriguingly, players can customize their dice to influence their Chimeras’ abilities; apparently the game “gives you unprecedented influence on the roll of the dice”! (I know I’d love control of the dice in board games I’ve played before!) But if things get…“dicey” in one playthrough, the next one will have different rewards, and possibly even different Chimeras.

Times & Galaxy

• Price: $19.99 (HAS DEMO)
• Developer: Copychaser Games
• Publisher: Fellow Traveller
• Release Date: June 21, 2024

As a robot intern, go on assignments for Times & Galaxy, a reputable “holopaper” throughout the solar system. Get the scoop on intersolar cat shows or shuttle crashes, interviewing spectators and searching for more clues on the scene.

Once you think you have enough details, use the “Build-A-Story” tool to sum up your findings and decide what angles you think are the most interesting. When you’re off the clock, get to know the other reporters and meet a unique variety of characters. With some “stellar” reporting and networking, perhaps you’ll end up with a job by the end! ⭐️

Tchia

• Price: $29.99
• Developer: Awaceb
• Publisher: Kepler Interactive
• Release Date: June 27, 2024

I remember being jealous of PlayStation players when I saw Tchia was coming to PS4/5 last year. The screenshots of this open world adventure game are gorgeous! Experience a story inspired by New Caledonia, traveling across the islands in the archipelago to rescue your character’s father from the evil ruler.

Using Tchia’s special powers, control more than 30 animals and hundreds of objects to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. Learn the islands’ secrets and hear the islanders speak their traditional language. Play the ukelele and customize Tchia’s outfits and boat. I love learning about new cultures, so this is exciting!

Radiant Tale: Fanfare!

• Price: $49.99 (digital & physical)
• Developer: Idea Factory
• Publisher: Aksys Games
• Release Date: June 27, 2024

I reviewed the first Radiant Tale otome last year, and now the fan disc is coming to Switch at the end of the month! I’m ecstatic that we’re getting this, as I loved the cast the first time around. After helping CIRCUS put on shows around the continent, we now get to see new stories unfold with Tifalia’s original cast of love interests across 3 new play modes. And we get 2 new routes with the much requested Jinnia and Liyan! Get ready, because “It’s [Almost] Showtime!” 🎶

That wraps up this month’s Switch highlights – which of these look the most appealing to you? 🤔