We are nearing the end of the year but game releases show no sign of stopping, especially for Nintendo’s hybrid console. November was yet another busy month for our dear Switch as we saw numerous new ports, releases and even some very interesting demos. This month might very well be the busiest one yet. Let’s get to it then, here are the Top Nintendo Switch Games of November 2017.
Author’s Note: Games listed were those that received fairly high reviews or was well received by critics and players.
Table of Contents
Major Game Releases and Ports
Doom
A legit classic from the days of yore, Doom is a well-known hardcore first-person shooter that first appeared on our PC screens way back in 1993. 23 years and a dozen or so iterations later it finally got a reboot that was first released on the Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Now, it shot its way to the Nintendo Switch and we get to shoot out alien lifeforms at home or on the road. The game features a revived single-player campaign with over 13 hours of gameplay, 13 maps, and a revamped combat system. Though revamped, it still does use the game’s traditional “push-forward” combat mechanic. Basically, the combat system discourages players from the usual “hide and regenerate” tactics and encourages players to go straight into the fray and collect health and armor pick-ups for regeneration and power-ups instead.
A lot of iconic weapons and enemies also make a return here like the Revenant, Pinky, super shotgun, and BFG 9000. Other than that, it also features multiplayer with several modes such as deathmatch, warpath, freeze lag and a few others. The game’s single-player campaign, graphics, and gameplay received critical acclaim from players and critics alike. It’s multiplayer, however, drew a lot of criticism. Either way, if you wish to relive your alien and monster busting moves then head on over to DataBlitz or iTech/GameOnePH to get a physical copy of Doom for Php 2,895 or get it at Nintendo’s e-shop digitally for $59.99 (~Php 3,015).
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Bust out your dragon slaying and shouting moves as Bethesda’s iconic RPG finally gets a port on the Switch. Well-known for its rich lore, immersive first-person combat, and in-depth character customization TES V: Skyrim brings much of the PC game we loved into Nintendo’s hybrid console. No new features were introduced apart from a unique Zelda DLC. Even so, what set’s the Switch’s version from its PC and console siblings is the portability. Players can now bring their Dragonborn character with them to bed, on the road, or anywhere they’d please.
Already well known and well-received by players and critics through the years, Skyrim is a must try for anyone that loves the RPG genre. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is now available physically over at DataBlitz and iTech/GameOnePH for Php 2,895 and digitally at Nintendo’s e-shop for $59.99 (~Php 3,015).
Resident Evil Revelations Collection
If we talk about horror survival games then Resident Evil is certainly one of the first to come into any gamers mind. The zombie survival game developed by Capcom has already seen a lot of different spin-offs and versions including a few movie adaptations (albeit different in story but same in concept). Now its the Switch’s turn to receive some post-apocalyptic undead action. This particular bundle of the game fuses two of the series more modern versions — Revelations and Revelations 2. Both games were introduced to different consoles, the first game made its way to the Nintendo 3DS, PC, and other notable home consoles while the second game only made its way to the PC, Microsoft’s home consoles, and Sony’s home and handheld consoles. So, technically this is the first time Revelations 2 entered Nintendo’s domain. The bundle was a perfect release for the Switch as both versions make use of handheld and console-like features, talk about the perfect blend of portability and home experience.
The story of Revelations follows Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as the pair battles a bioterrorist organization from infecting the Earth’s oceans. The game made an attempt to revive the series horror while introducing modern-day gameplay and mechanics. While it was praised for its graphics, audio, and horror value it got quite the criticism due to the changing mechanics between scenarios. Revelations 2, on the other hand, brings back Claire Redfield as the main protagonist while introducing new playable characters. It received generally positive reviews from critics and players. Both games offer 2-player simultaneous co-op multiplayer.
Resident Evil Revelations Collection is now available at DataBlitz and iTech/GameOnePH physically for Php 1,995 and both games digitally at Nintendo’s e-shop for $19.99 (~Php 1005) each.
Rocket League
Released about 2 years ago on the PC and PlayStation 4, Rocket League is a unique take on the sports genre as it combines both soccer and rocket-powered cars. It’s still pretty much the soccer we all love except the players are now cars instead of people. The game has both single-player and multiplayer modes wherein eight players, split into two teams of four, battle it out to score a point on their enemy’s goal. It is the perfect multiplayer game for friends and families, especially for soccer fans. The game has garnered multiple industry awards and millions of sales worldwide and already has its own e-sport leagues. If you wish to shout “Ole-ole-ole-ole” then go on ahead and get yourself a copy of Rocket League digitally at Nintendo’s e-shop for $19.99 Php (~Php 1005).
L.A. Noire
Ready those thinking hats and Sherlock Holmes impressions as you enter a world of investigation and mystery solving in L.A. Noire. The game was first released back in 2011 for the PS3 and Xbox 360, it received a re-release this month for the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. L.A. Noire is set in Los Angeles in 1947 and puts players in the shoes of a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer as he solves cases across the department’s five divisions. The game tasks players to search for clues, follow up leads, and interrogate suspects in order to unravel the case’s story.
Apart from adopting the noir-style of films of the 40’s and 50’s the game also made use of Depth Analysis, where the facial expressions of the actors portraying the characters were recorded by 32 surrounding cameras. It received quite the praise from players and critics alike for its storytelling and facial animation technology. L.A. Noire is now available physically over at DataBlitz and iTech/GameOnePH for Php 2,495 or digitally at Nintendo’s e-shop for $49.99 (~Php 2,512).
Minor/Indie Game Releases and Ports
Portal Knights
If you feel the need of having the sandbox experience of Minecraft with the combat of Terraria but in 3D then Portal Knights might be the right game for you. The game started in Steam Early Access back in early 2016 and left early access on May 18th of this year, which was also the day it got released on the PS4 and Xbox One. Nintendo’s Hybrid received its version this month. Portal Knights combine the building aspects of sandbox games and traditional elements of RPG games. Players will explore, build and fight their way through the colorful world and stages of the game. Similar to well-known sandbox games players are also given the option to craft their own equipment such as weapons, armor, and building tools. The game supports single-player, 4-player online co-op, and 2-player split screen. Apart from positive reviews, it also received Deutscher Entwicklerpreis Awards Best Online Game of 2016 title. Portal Knights is now available digitally at Nintendo’s e-shop for $29.99 (~Php 1,507).
Ittle Dew 2+
Ittle Dew 2+ is reminiscent of the classic Legend of Zelda games we loved and enjoyed during the SNES era. The game puts players in control of Ittle who got stranded on an island with her flying fox friend Tippsie. Players will fight their way through puzzles, dungeons, and monsters in order to bring Ittle and Tippsie back home. Apart from its cute and colorful graphics, it also offers a bit of humor as the main characters break the fourth-wall and crack jokes about their adventure. Ittle Dew 2+ has received high reviews and praise for being a game that, while resembling Zelda, does a fresh take on the genre. Ittle Dew 2+ is now available physically over at DataBlitz and iTech/GameOnePH for Php 1,595 and digitally at Nintendo’s e-shop for $29.99 (~Php 1507).
Rive: Ultimate Edition
The shoot-em-up platformer from known indie developer Two Tribes was first released back in 2016 for the PS4, PC, Xbox One, OS X, and Linux as Rive. The Switch version received an “Ultimate edition’ adding in 2-player support and a few enhancements. The game is your classic 2D side-scrolling platformer but with guns, similar to the iconic Metal Slug series. Players take control of a nameless pilot in a spider tank who got trapped in a space vessel controlled by a rogue AI. Players would have to blast their way through traps and hordes of mechanical enemies and intense bosses in order to complete the game. Rive: Ultimate edition introduces a 2-player mechanic where players are given split control over the spider tank. The game received mighty praise from critics for being a quick yet heart pumping and memorable shoot-em-up. It is now available digitally at Nintendo’s e-shop for $14.99 (~Php 753).
Syberia II
Released way back in 2004 as a sequel to Syberia, Syberia II pulls players back into the snow-filled country of Russia to once again solve puzzles in a third-person point of view. Although a direct continuation of the previous title, the game has received a graphical enhancement. It also features a recap of its predecessor’s storyline, removing the need for players to play the first game in order to know the plot. It is a straight up graphical adventure game as the character cannot die nor get stuck at any moment allowing players to be fully immersed in the game without the worry of making mistakes or saving. Syberia II was well received and was highly regarded for its storyline and graphics, although the game is fairly short and lacks replayability. It is now available digitally at Nintendo’s e-shop for $29.99 (~Php 1,507).
Demo
More than the game releases and ports this month we were also given the chance to test out portions of soon to be released games on the Switch, here are two interesting games with recently released demos.
Nine Parchments
Nine parchments is a diablo-esque game featuring wizards and magic, it will soon make its way to the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It features a colorful world filled with creatures, spells, and magic. The game follows the story of a group of runaway wizard apprentices as they travel the world in search of their school’s Nine Parchments of spells. Players are given the chance to select among a pool of characters with different starting spells, which can be swapped and upgraded through the course of the game. Players would also be able to unlock more characters and equipment such as hats and magical staves as they progress through the game. Its gameplay is similar to Blizzard’s well-known dungeon crawler, Diablo. Nine Parchments is set to be released on the Nintendo Switch on December 5, 2017, with a price tag of $19.99 (~Php 1,005).
Project Octopath Traveler
Square Enix finally gave players a glimpse of their first original title for the Nintendo Switch dubbed as Project Octopath Traveler. The game’s graphics features a mix of CG, pixel art, and the so-called “HD-2D”. It looks and feels like the classic RPG’s of the 16-bit era, but with a modern touch. Square Enix’ new RPG introduces a new mechanic called Path Action, where characters use different unique sets of actions to interact with people. There will be a total of eight “Travelers” in the game each with their own different Path. In the demo, players are given the choice of two “Travelers” — the Dancer Primrose and the Warrior Olberic. Project Octopath Traveler is set to be released in 2018.
And there you have it, it was certainly a heavy month for the Nintendo Switch as companies released quite a number of fantastic games. Nintendo isn’t stopping there, however, as their Switch e-shop is now having a cyber sale on select titles until December 11. Discounts are as big as 40% off, so check out their deals over at the e-shop.
If we missed anything give us a heads up in the comments section below. We’ll see you guys again for our final list when the year ends.
