Night in the Woods (Feb. 1)
Best Switch Games to Have on Your Radar in February 2018
Night in the Woods was a pleasant surprise when it was first released back in January of 2017. For a linear adventure game, there’s plenty of content, with total playtime clocking in at around five to eight hours to finish. The cast is made up of anthropomorphic animals living in a quiet autumnal town, and they’re all tied down by their own emotional baggage and problems.
Mae serves as the game’s protagonist. After dropping out of college for unknown reasons, she comes back home to live with her parents and reconnect with her old friends while trying to dodge the subject of her education. The story gets heavier as you progress, as players learn more about Mae’s past and the way she struggles to cope with her own depression and self-esteem issues. Despite the cutesy look boasted by Night in the Woods, the characters feel real and relatable, and if you haven’t checked this game out already, it’s a must-own on the Switch.
The Longest Five Minutes (Feb. 13)
Best Switch Games to Have on Your Radar in February 2018
One of the more major complaints about the Switch’s first year was that it didn’t really have many games of the RPG persuasion in its library. That problem was alleviated a little towards the end of 2017 with the release of Skyrim and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but it looks like Nintendo is going HAM with the RPG offerings this year.
The Longest Five Minutes is a brand new 2D pixelated RPG being developed by NIS. The game’s protagonist is on a journey to defeat the evil Overlord, but suddenly suffers from memory loss and is unable to recall his motivations for fighting, his finishing moves, and basically everything else about himself. Players will have to embark on a new journey to retrieve all his memories via flashbacks before the Overlord crushes him and his allies. The 2D look in The Longest Five Minutes is gorgeous, and from what we’ve seen of the game so far, RPG fans should definitely keep this one in mind.
Dragon Quest Builders (Feb. 9)
Best Switch Games to Have on Your Radar in February 2018
Dragon Quest Builders was a bit of a surprise release from Square Enix as well, as no one really thought mashing Minecraft with a JRPG series would actually lead to success. But it worked superbly, and now it’s making its way to the Nintendo Switch. Just like Minecraft, players collect all sorts of items and materials scattered across the world and use them to build whatever their imagination conjures.
However, unlike Minecraft, Dragon Quest Builders actually features an accomplished narrative, too. If you fancy the idea of playing through Minecraft with a sense of story and plot progression, Dragon Quest Builders might be a good game to keep an eye out for. It’s also a great title to ease in newcomers or players who might not be familiar with the Minecraft formula. Builders provides a nice, welcoming tutorial that takes the time to teach you all the basics before sending you off on a new journey, and it’s perfect for anyone who might’ve felt intimidated by Mojang’s sandbox game.
Fe (Feb. 16)
Best Switch Games to Have on Your Radar in February 2018
With so many good games releasing on the Switch this month, you’d be forgiven for overlooking Fe. This is a curious little title being developed by Zoink and published by EA. It’s also the first game to be released under EA’s Originals program dedicated to indie games like this one.
Fe is an action-adventure game where you take control of a fox to try to defend a forest from evil beings known as the Silent Ones. Along the way, you’ll also have to enlist the help of other forest dwellers and creature to try to keep out the invaders. Fe’s core mechanic pertains to harmony. The fox protagonist sings to his forest allies for help, and players will learn new songs along the way to improve its abilities. As you learn more skills, you’ll be able to explore even more of the forest. Fe features a lovely cartoonish art style that’s simply pleasing to the eye.
Bayonetta 1 and 2 (Feb. 16)
Best Switch Games to Have on Your Radar in February 2018
Bayonetta needs no introduction at this point, but just in case you’ve never heard of this franchise or its titular protagonist, you’re in for quite the ride. Developed by Platinum Games, this is arguably the franchise that really put the developer on the map. If you’re a fan of Platinum’s action combat systems, Bayonetta offers that up in spades, with fast-paced action and insane combos that you can rack up with a ridiculously over-the-top move set.
The first game sees Bayonetta waking up on Earth with no recollection of who she was, and she gets tangled up with a witch named Jeanne and several other colorful personalities while trying to figure her life out. Bayonetta herself is quite the sassy character, and she never fails to entertain with her quips and raunchy sense of humor. If you’re planning on jumping into this series, be prepared for some risque jokes and other antics that may or may not push you out of your comfort zone.
Published: Feb 1, 2018 09:00 am