As the end of the year approaches, our editorial team decided to write an article about what we consider to be the top 5 Nintendo Switch games of 2024, with a little surprise, as per usual!
Neva
Neva, the new gem from Nomada Studio, represents an exciting evolution from their award-winning debut title GRIS. This action-adventure tells the poignant and poetic story of Alba, a young woman, and her wolf companion as they face a world devastated by a mysterious corruption. Alba and Neva’s journey unfolds across the four seasons, a narrative device that reflects the evolution of their emotional bond and their struggle for survival.
In addition to its powerful narrative, the game introduces dynamic combat mechanics that enhance the experience without betraying the contemplative and visually stunning legacy of GRIS. The artistic style remains one of the title’s strong points, thanks to the unmistakable touch of Conrad Roset, who blends vibrant illustrations with evocative environmental design. Neva is not just an interactive adventure; it is a work that explores universal themes such as grief, resilience, and personal growth, offering a deep emotional experience.
The game is expected on a wide range of platforms, including PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, making it accessible to a global audience. Once again, Nomada Studio proves to be a reference name in the world of indie games, with a work that promises to leave a lasting impression on the hearts of players.
To learn more, we recommend reading our article!
The Plucky Squire
The Plucky Squire is a charming and original adventure that skillfully blends the allure of fairy tale stories with innovative gameplay mechanics, where creativity and exploration take center stage. Developed by All Possible Futures, this title puts us in the shoes of Jot, a small hero trapped within the world of an illustrated book. While inside the pages, the game takes place in a colorful 2D world, the real twist comes when Jot manages to leave the book and ventures into the three-dimensional world, exploring surprising environments and solving increasingly complex puzzles.
The game stands out for its ability to seamlessly alternate between two dimensions, allowing players to face platforming challenges, combat, and puzzles in a dynamic and engaging way. Players must help Jot regain control of the book and save his friends, facing adversaries such as the evil Humgrump in a context that constantly plays with the perception of the world itself.
With a graphic design that blends the cartoonish style typical of fairy tales with more modern and fun elements, The Plucky Squire also shines for its excellent use of narrative, developing themes of courage and friendship in a playful yet thrilling context. Additionally, the soundtrack and sound effects perfectly accompany the tone of the game, with music ranging from playful to dramatic.
Available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, The Plucky Squire promises to be an unforgettable experience for those looking for something fresh and innovative, capable of perfectly blending the love for traditional illustrated stories with a new interactive vision. With its mix of humor, action, and originality, it’s a title destined to win the hearts of players of all ages.
Animal Well
Animal Well is an atypical metroidvania that challenges the conventions of the genre, offering an enigmatic and fascinating experience. Developed by Billy Basso, the game immerses us in a mysterious world where exploration and puzzle-solving are at the heart of the action. The pixel art graphics, combined with an enveloping sound design, create a unique atmosphere that stimulates curiosity and interaction. The narrative, devoid of explicit dialogue, unfolds through the environment and the puzzles, inviting the player to uncover the secrets hidden within the Animal Well. With a structure that rewards exploration and experimentation, Animal Well stands out as an unmissable title for lovers of games that challenge conventions and stimulate the mind.
The narrative approach of Animal Well is entirely unconventional: the game does not use dialogue or explicit texts to tell its story. Instead, it lets exploration and the discovery of environmental secrets guide the player. The puzzles intertwine with the plot, with each solution revealing fragments of the surrounding world and its mysteries. This approach pushes the player to experiment, to explore without fear of making mistakes, seeking clues that lead them to new areas and understandings.
Sound plays a crucial role in the player’s immersion, with an enveloping soundtrack and sound design that accentuates the sense of solitude and mystery. Interactions with the environment are often accompanied by delicate yet meaningful sound effects, amplifying the emotion of each discovery.
Animal Well is a title that rewards curiosity and ingenuity, requiring players to test their observation and problem-solving skills. Without explicit guidance, the game lets each player interpret their journey and decide how to approach the numerous puzzles that await them. This makes it an experience that can vary greatly from player to player, offering significant replayability and endless exploration. For fans of games that require critical thinking and a patient approach, Animal Well proves to be an unmissable experience, capable of engaging and fascinating in unexpected ways.
Grime
Grime is a metroidvania that blends elements of the genre with mechanics inspired by Soulslike games, offering a deep and engaging gameplay experience. Developed by Clover Bite, the title immerses us in a dark and mysterious world, where every corner hides dangers and secrets to be discovered.
The gameplay of Grime stands out for its challenging difficulty, requiring the player to use precision and strategy. Character progression is similar to Soulslike games, with a combat system that rewards mastery of mechanics and knowledge of enemies. Absorbing the souls of defeated opponents allows players to enhance their abilities, adding a strategic dimension to resource management.
The art direction of Grime is characterized by an “anatomical horror” style, with unsettling environments and bizarre creatures that help create a unique and immersive atmosphere. The soundtrack, composed of atmospheric and intense tracks, accompanies the player through every phase of the adventure, amplifying the emotion and tension.
Available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch, Grime represents an interesting proposition for fans of metroidvania and Soulslike games, offering a deep and satisfying gameplay experience. This year, it was also released for Nintendo Switch, and we are extremely excited about it!
Nine Sols
Nine Sols is an engaging 2D action-platformer developed by Red Candle Games, known for titles like Detention and Devotion. The game blends cyberpunk elements with Asian mythology, creating a unique atmosphere defined as “taopunk.” Players take on the role of Yi, a warrior with martial arts abilities enhanced by chi, facing challenging trials in a world rich with detail and history.
The combat system of Nine Sols draws inspiration from games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, emphasizing parrying and reflecting enemy attacks. This mechanic requires precision and timing, offering a deep and satisfying gameplay experience. The character progression is enhanced with special abilities and upgrades, enabling players to face increasingly powerful enemies.
The game’s art direction is characterized by hand-drawn animations, giving it a distinctive and captivating look. The environments, inspired by futuristic Asian landscapes, are detailed and immersive, helping to create a coherent and fascinating world.
Nine Sols is available on PC, with versions for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, released on November 26, 2024. The game has received generally favorable reviews, even from the Financial Times, and has been praised for its originality and engaging design.
Tiny Bonus!
We’ve got a little scoop: our beloved Cookie Cutter, the debut game from the indie studio Subcult Joint, published by Rogue Games on December 14, 2023, for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, is expected to be released by the end of the first quarter of 2025 for Nintendo Switch!
We can’t wait to play this title, which we love, on Switch as well!
To prepare yourself, we recommend reading our review and the interview by Emalloru with Stefano, the creator of this little gem, who has won us over in no time.
