Role-playing games, or RPGs, are among some of the most immersive gaming experiences you can get. The worldbuilding, characters, plot and side quests provide countless hours of entertainment that is otherwise unparalleled by other styles of games. From choosing the order of your quests to customizing your avatar and their armor, weapons, skills and achievements, RPGs provide a singularly unique experience for you to enjoy making your own.
“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is widely considered to be the best RPG available on the Nintendo Switch and arguably one of the best RPGs of all time. With over 100 puzzle shrines and a backstory that is both captivating and touching, Breath of the Wild delights longtime fans of Zelda and attracts modern RPG players with equal measure.
What to know before you buy a Nintendo Switch RPG game
Length of gameplay
For serious gamers, the length of an RPG is a major contributing factor in the decision of whether or not to purchase the game. Most RPG players are looking for something that they can really sink their teeth into, with dozens of hours of enjoyment at a minimum. If you want a longer game, look for titles boasting at least 60 to 100+ hours of play, including side quests.
Replayability of RPGs
Some RPGs have “crossroads” moments within the story that allow you to choose your way forward, altering the course of the game permanently and changing how other characters and NPCs perceive you. This is great for replayability because once complete, you have the option to restart the game, making different choices as you go for a completely different ending. Other RPGs offer the opportunity to continue playing the game after completion of the main storyline, or to restart the game entirely in a more difficult mode that unlocks extra weapons or quests otherwise unavailable in the first playthrough. Games with fully customizable characters in terms of race, gender and class, namely whether they are a mage, druid, thief, etc. offer excellent replayability as well since the player will interact with other characters differently throughout the game based on these choices.
Downloadable Content (DLC) for RPGs
Most RPGs offer downloadable content to extend the game by adding another main storyline as well as additional sidequests and characters. Typically, DLCs are released in increments, several months after release of the original game. Three DLCs are standard for most games. DLCs are purchased separately and are not required to complete the main game; they are meant for gamers who love the game and want to extend their experience within that world.
Nintendo Switch RPG game features
Prequels and sequels
Many RPGs are part of an ongoing series and as such, have prequel games, origin stories and sequels. For example, The Legend of Zelda has numerous titles in a non-linear series that can be played in any order. If you are considering purchasing an RPG game and want to really immerse yourself into the lore and worldbuilding of the game, choosing a title that already has preexisting prequels and sequels is a great way to give yourself more to look forward to.
Merchandise
Some games for Nintendo Switch, including RPGs, come with additional merchandise or Amiibo that can enhance the game in different ways. Specific Amiibo can grant the player additional gear, treasure chests and helpful items. It may even cause a different character to appear in-game.
Other merchandise included occasionally consists of: maps, gaming guides, posters, trading cards, memorabilia specific to the series and more. Buying collector’s editions of larger releases usually come with special items not available for regular purchase.
Nintendo Switch RPG game cost
Nintendo Switch RPGs tend to cost around $60. There are some variables that can change the price, like the date on which the game was released, whether it is on sale or if there is a promotion with Nintendo. The cost of the game sometimes correlates to the amount of time that went into producing it. RPGs are huge, sometimes open-world games which take years to make. The more detailed and nuanced the gameplay, the more value you’re getting for your money.
Nintendo Switch RPG game FAQ
What if I can’t solve a puzzle or defeat a boss?
A. In RPGs particularly, there will likely come a point in-game that your character isn’t strong enough to defeat a boss or series of enemies. That usually means it’s time to grind and work on leveling up your character to increase their core stats. If you encounter a puzzle you can’t solve, there are numerous videos on youtube or walkthroughs available online to help you figure it out.
Are RPGs suitable for the entire family?
A. This depends on the game. Some RPGs are suitable for the entire family, while others are not. RPGs often contain violence in varying degrees, while some contain bad language or suggestive material that isn’t appropriate for younger audiences. Use your discretion, consider the age of your children and read reviews about mature content before making a purchase.
Which Nintendo Switch RPG game should I get?
Best of the best Nintendo Switch RPG game
“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”: available at Amazon
Our take: This incredible open-world game provides countless hours of puzzles, side quests, collection quests, equipment upgrades and a deep story that will absolutely enthrall you.
What we like: Discovering shrines, exploring the huge and beautiful map, meeting characters and NPCs, collecting items, enjoying the music and basically every aspect of the game.
What we dislike: The only thing we dislike is that the sequel hasn’t been released yet.
Best bang for your buck Nintendo Switch RPG game
“Immortals: Fenyx Rising”: available at Amazon
Our take: Fenyx Rising is a great option at a cheaper price point for RPG gamers who appreciate stunning scenery and a game with a sense of humor.
What we like: This game has a great backstory and the in-game mechanics are really interesting and unique. Fenyx’s skills are fun to master and the DLCs are very fresh.
What we dislike: There are some minor glitches in the game that can usually be circumvented.
Honorable mention Nintendo Switch RPG game
“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt”: available at Amazon
Our take: This gorgeous and exciting game is an excellent adult-only RPG for fans of The Witcher. The maps are intricate and user-friendly, the quests are vivid, the characters are memorable and the combat feels intuitive over time.
What we like: The sheer size of this game is mind blowing. It has upwards of 150 hours of gameplay, never feels repetitive and has an unparalleled open-world map.
What we dislike: It features some gruesome monsters and rather dark storylines, so the game isn’t suitable for younger gamers.
Ashley Britten is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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