Switch Turns Four – Part Four
Over the course of March, the SwitchRPG team will be creating and sharing a variety of Switch RPG content in honor of the console turning four this month! Next up, Kierra’s picks!
Part One – Part Two – Part Three
Four Favorite Switch RPGs
This category is for the Switch games that blew me away. I am not a hard person to please when it comes to games; there are very few games that I come out saying that I hate (mainly because I tend to heavily research before purchasing a title). On the other hand, there aren’t a lot of games that leave a last impression on me either. However, these games are all ones that I would wholeheartedly recommend.
Dragon Quest XI S Definitive Edition
As mentioned in my RPGs that Shaped Me article, my exposure to more “classic” turn-based RPGs is very limited outside of the Pokemon series. Being able to finally dive into the Dragon Quest series after months of hype over the same trailer showing up at game shows was an experience I could only dream to repeat. Feelings on Act 3 aside, I couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable experience.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
I was hesitant to jump into the Builders games because there was the worry that they would actually be like Minecraft (since the series has always been called anime Minecraft by those who play the games). While there is that sandbox element to the game for those just looking for that experience, there is also a good story mode available. Speaking honestly, I think Builders 2 does a great job at building out the relationship between two characters and shows how having a fun cast can elevate a good game to a great game.
Collar x Malice
As my first jump back into otome games, Collar x Malice is the dating sim on the Switch that is regularly brought up for those looking to make the jump. And while its main story is, of course, very interesting and well told, the romance in each route is also just as enjoyable. It is a long haul if you want to experience all of the routes, but I found myself satisfied as I continued on deeper into the web of Collar x Malice.
Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity
I loved the first Hyrule Warriors and thought that there would never be another game released under the same umbrella. Having a new Hyrule Warriors that was placed in the Breath of the Wild universe was a dream come true, especially after wanting just a bit more from the aforementioned title’s story. The combat was great and pleasing both for my button mashing habits, as well as my micromanaging gaming ways.
Four Most Surprising RPGs
This category is for the games that caught me off guard, whether it’s due to how much I loved them, or just general surprise at the existence of such a game. The Switch is home to some interesting titles, and the range of games available is mindblowing. Even within just the RPG category, there truly is a game for everyone.
Hades
Prior to Hades, I hadn’t ever really wandered into the roguelike/lite genre fully. I have played games that have used those elements, like the Mystery Dungeon titles, and I’ve also seen playthroughs of games such as Spelunky and Binding of Issac, but I’ve never really played a game that fully marketed itself as a roguelike/lite. After coming into Hades and experiencing the genre fully, I was hooked.
Super Robot Wars V
This is a recent edition, as I had no clue about the existence of the series prior to about a month ago. Most of the games under the Super Robot Wars umbrella are tactics games, so of course they would catch my eye. Although they did not release in the West, they do still have an English translation. While most of the mecha anime references do go over my head, the love for all of the individual anime series can be felt with the attention to detail.
Pokemon Let’s Go
Truthfully speaking, I was hesitant about this title when it was first announced. While I don’t mind Pokemon Go as a concept, I wasn’t sure exactly about the idea of a mixture between the main games and Pokemon Go. However, after seeing more about it and actually playing it, I found that I really enjoyed the Let’s Go games a lot. I’m not quite sure if they’re going to be here to stay, or if it was just meant as a one-off game to satiate the Pokemon fandom until Sword and Shield’s release. But if I’m being honest, I do hope they bring it back (if nothing else than for the styling of the models).
Super Dragon Ball Heroes World Mission
Strange Dragon Ball games shouldn’t be as surprising, since they’re about a dime a dozen given that the series prints money at this point. However, the introduction of Heroes to the West still caught me off guard. Heroes has mainly been kept in Japan and to my knowledge, never really made its way over to the West prior to this title. While nothing spectacular by any means, I do enjoy seeing strange games appear on the Switch, especially when it involves my favorite franchises.
Four Upcoming Switch RPGs I’m Hyped For
This category is for the games I am most excited about. Of course, there are many games that have caught my interest, and many of them will be day (or week) one purchases. But these are the games that I have my wallet held open for and will write a blank check for in a heartbeat.
Famicon Detective’s Club Games
Since Capcom has appeared to have forgotten the Ace Attorney series (unless it’s a Trilogy), my mystery/detective visual novel itch will have to be scratched another way. Thankfully, there seem to be more and more of these visual novels coming out in recent years. In the latest Nintendo Direct, these two titles caught my attention immediately – a remake of games from the 80s, a series of visual novels a cult of fans once thought forgotten to time? Sign me up immediately.
Samurai Warriors 5
Since I enjoyed the Hyrule Warriors games, I’ve been curious about other Warriors games as well. However, I never found myself coming around to actually trying them. While they look okay to me, they’re not quite eye-catching enough to take the plunge and try out the other Warriors games. However, this newest title seems to lean more towards a style that is really appealing to me. Samurai Warriors 5 will more than likely be my first foray into the actual Warriors genre, and I can’t wait.
Disgaea 6
Of course, I am excited for Disgaea. Is this even a surprise? I mean, I made a Japanese eShop account just to play the demo when it was released earlier this year. The couple of articles I’ve already written about the series should say enough, but this is easily my most anticipated title of the year. I had no doubt that it would be high on my list of favorites based on how happy the demo has made me already.
NIS Classics Volume 1: Phantom Brave and Soul Nomad
This was truly the most surprising announcement to me from the New Game Expo. I had my eye on Phantom Brave for PC for a bit, but never took the plunge because I’m not much of a PC gamer. So, having this finally available for Switch is a dream come true. Of course, I’m not going in expecting anything spectacular given that these games are from the early 2000s, but I am happy to finally have the chance to try them.
Four Games/Series That I’d Like to See Represented on the Switch
This category is for games that I would love to see expanded upon, whether it be through sequels or other related material. Some of these are titles that are anticipated by fans, while others are nothing more than lost causes at this point. Either way, I like working myself up for eventual disappointment.
Fire Emblem Genealogy of the Holy War
With the release of Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia on the 3DS, hopes are of course hanging in the air that Genealogy of the Holy War will be given the same treatment. Since the game never released in the West (and the fact that Nintendo strangely localized the first Fire Emblem game months ago), it’s not outside the realm of possibility that this game could be localized at some point.
Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
Another game series that may not be outside of the realm of possibility. Spike Chunsoft put out a survey after the release of the Re:Zero visual novel earlier this year in an attempt to gauge interest in the other titles. While I’m not quite holding my breath for any other Re:Zero games to make their way to the Switch, it would nonetheless be a welcome addition.
Dragon Quest Builders 3
Honestly, this is probably the series that may not see a sequel. Of course, there is no official news of the team working on a sequel. In fact, last that was heard, they were working on a completely different game. Of course, I don’t expect the same cast of characters to come over if there is a sequel, but I would definitely be more than willing to buy the sequel if one was created.
Pokemon Conquest
This is the other unlikely possibility. Of course, Pokemon Snap will make an unexpected return this year, so nothing is truly off of the table. On the other hand, who can honestly tell me that a new Pokemon Conquest game would be made and put on the Switch? Even just a direct port seems unlikely. Why can’t the Pokemon Company realize what I want and just provide me with more Conquest content? Sure, I have plenty of tactics content, but it’s not Pokemon tactics content.
And that’s my list! How do your lists compare? Was there anything surprising that you didn’t consider, or something else that you would have chosen? Let me know!
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