The Hidden Gems on Switch
The Nintendo Switch has been an amazing success since it’s release, with globally praised big-budget games released on the little handheld system on a monthly basis. Everyone who owns a Switch has sunken hundreds upon hundreds of hours into games such as Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros Ultimate. But what makes the Switch such a unique console is the plethora of hidden gems that hideaway in the Switch eShop. This list is a look at some of the best-hidden gems games you can play right now on the beloved Nintendo console.
The Touryst
Think colorful block graphics ala Minecraft filled with a perfect balance of atmospheric puzzles, fun colorful island hopping exploration and tons of fun mini-games and you will have a rough idea of what The Touryst is. You start the game on a beautiful island that acts as a main hub for the world. From here you start your journey of discovery, uncovering a number of ancient temples while taking in the culture and activities of each new island. Think of it as a mini-holiday around a beautiful world while solving relatively easy puzzles and just having fun. If you’re looking for a fun colorful romp around beautiful little islands then this comes highly recommended.
City of Brass
Become a daring thief in City of Brass, a first-person action-adventure from senior BioShock developers. Armed with a scimitar and a versatile whip, you’ll lash and slash, bait and trap your way to the heart of an opulent, Arabian Nights-themed metropolis or face certain death as time runs out. With genii to imbue you with wacky powers and the ever-tantalizing need to collect more gold, Uppercut Games has produced one of the most entertaining roguelikes available on the Switch right now.
APE OUT
APE OUT is a wildly intense and colorfully stylized smash ‘em up about primal escape, rhythmic violence, and frenetic jazz. Build up nearly unstoppable momentum and use your captors as both weapons and shields to crush everyone on your procedurally generated path to freedom. It’s a refreshingly original experience that more than deserves a place in any Switch owner’s library. Difficult, frenetic gameplay, a strong art direction, and an even stronger jazz drum soundtrack make this the sort of memorable game that you’ll likely keep coming back to over and over for another few runs in arcade mode.
Armello
Armello is a grand swashbuckling adventure that combines three styles of play, the deep tactics of card games with the rich strategy of tabletop board games, combined with a character role-playing system. As a hero from one of the clans of Armello, you’ll quest, scheme, hire agents, explore, vanquish monsters, cast spells and face off against other players, with one ultimate end goal in mind, storming the palace and becoming King or Queen of Armello. The Kingdom of Armello is as dangerous as it is beautiful, perils, banes and bandits hide around every corner and a spreading corruption known as the rot is leaving no creature untouched. Armello is League of Geeks’ attempt to revolutionize digital board and card games, whilst providing players a rich world within which they can craft their own stories of epic adventure.
Planet Alpha
Planet Alpha is a beautiful alien world filled with mystery and danger. Pursued by relentless enemies, you must harness the power of night and day as you struggle to survive. You have awoken on a strange alien world. Injured, alone and stranded you venture across this foreign land, navigating beautiful and varied terrain as you try to stay alive. The world of Planet Alpha is affected by the solar cycle, and as you progress you’ll discover a unique gift, you can manipulate the time of day and use it to your advantage. Explore a unique world and piece together your story.
Sky Rogue
Sky Rogue is a rogue-lite action flight simulator. Blow things up over land, sea, and air, on an infinite number of procedurally-generated islands. Choose one of a diverse set of aeros and kit it out with a dizzying array of weaponry. Go toe-to-toe with enemy aces or assault giant flying aircraft carriers and battleships, but watch out for volleys of missiles; when you die, you’re dead. Featuring two-player split-screen local co-op, infinite procedurally-generated missions, over twelve pilotable aircraft and over thirty weapons and customizable load-outs, Sky Rogue will keep you busy for hours.
Full Metal Furies
From the creators of Rogue Legacy comes a “true-cooperative” action RPG. Full Metal Furies puts an emphasis on team play with a unique combat system where everyone is important. Work together to defeat special enemies, string organics combos to deal massive damage, and save a wartorn world that is battling itself to extinction. Play on the couch or online with friends, and make it a party for up to four players. Or go solo in single-player, and show off your skills through a Pick 2 quick-switch system that retains all the nuances of multi-play.