During the Nintendo Direct Mini yesterday, a Switch version of The World Ends with You, often acronymed TWEWY, was announced. The World Ends with You released in 2007 and is a wacky, inventive spin on the JRPG genre. TWEWY never quite broke into the gaming mainstream, but still managed to accrue a devoted following. By bringing TWEWY to the Nintendo Switch, Square Enix is doing an enormous favor for owners of Nintendo’s uber-popular handheld/console hybrid. Those who never got a chance to experience the original TWEWY now have the chance to play a title that many have gleefully sunk hours into. This upcoming TWEWY remix is a bigger announcement than most realize, and here’s why.
An Alternative to the Original’s Combat
TWEWY is not universally adored, much in part to the original’s combat. A heavy reliance on the touchscreen makes TWEWY awkward for some, and hectic battlefields add to the frustration. Different moves require different touchscreen maneuvers, and the relative similarity between a few motions occasionally makes the experience cumbersome. However, the Nintendo Switch remix will feature a different control method – one that uses the Joycons. The standard touchscreen gameplay will remain an option, but this move increases accessibility and calms the anxieties of those who fear mashing their precious Nintendo Switch screen like a lunatic.
More controller options is always better. Seeing Square giving players the choice is a good thing to see and a positive step forward for accessibility in games. Juggling more than one character isn’t an easy task for most, and allowing different methods to achieve this balance makes the game more approachable for everyone.
This post was originally written by Sean Pyle.
