Libra: Miitopia (Switch)
Libra is our “first impressions” series. These are generally spoiler free, but may reveal some base plot points and mechanic details.
The Switch has (thankfully) become a bastion for games that never got the notoriety or widespread appeal they deserved because of debuting on the ill-fated Wii U. There are some that have been no-brainers, some that have come as a surprise (Tokyo Mirage Sessions, anyone?), and some that we still yearn for like Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Xenoblade Chronicles X. Not to be forgotten is Miitopia, however. Having originally released on the 3DS, this customizable RPG has also gotten a second life…and deservedly so.
The Gist
The aptly named “Dark Lord” has taken the world hostage and is continuously stealing the faces of its inhabitants. It’s up to you to muster strength and allies to stop the Dark Lord. But first…you have to figure out exactly who “you” are. Use the incredibly deep Mii crafting system to create characters for your own story. The possibilities seem endless, as Mii creation has been revolutionized for this game. Want the Dark Lord to be Goku from Dragonball while your party of heroes consist of a combination of superheroes, black metal guitarists, and Pokemon trainers? No problem! Miitopia truly allows the player to craft their own adventure.
Miitopia is a turn-based RPG – a simple one at that. Your party can consist of different classes that can be customized with a myriad of job choices that include the likes of cat, chef, and many more strange, yet enjoyable job categories.
Each party member also takes on a characteristic of your choosing. For instance, a “kind” thief may take a blow for a fellow party member with lower HP. Similarly, a “stubborn” fighter may perform consecutive attacks to flex their fighting prowess. This little nuance adds considerable depth when combined with the “safe spot” combat option that allows for one party member to be temporarily removed from battle and brought back in clutch situations. While safe spot is a fun addition to combat, it makes an already easy game that much easier.
+
- Endless customization
- Humorous dialogue
- Surprisingly deep job and class system
–
- Occasional framerate drops
- Not much of a challenge
I’ve only just begun to explore the various nuances of Miitopia’s RPG mechanics. There are many more jobs to unlock and a very interesting affinity-like mechanic that seems to alter the way Mii’s interact with one another, both in and out of battles. Though Miitopia hasn’t provided a challenge, it has kept me entertained with comedic dialogue and engaging customization. Come back for my full review soon after I explore everything that Miitopia has to offer!
