10 Best Story-Based Indie Games On The Switch
The unique versatility of the Nintendo Switch has helped it become one of the most successful consoles in history. But in addition to being able to smoothly run powerful and graphically impressive games such as Mario Party Superstars and Astral Chainthe Switch also has plenty of story-based games that have moving narratives and immersive worlds.
Major studios such as Capcom and Game Freak have released some of the most iconic scripted games for the Switch, such as the resident Evil series and Pokemon Legends: Arceus. However, indie game developers with limited budgets like ConcernedApe and Asymmetric have also proven they can create emotionally impactful games with great writing and environmental storytelling.
Hades (2018)
San Francisco-based indie game studio Supergiant Games is home to award-winning titles like Bastion and Transistor. underworldtheir most recent offering, is a hack and slash dungeon where fans take on the role of Zagreus, the Prince of the Underworld.
Despite its apparently basic principle, underworld is highly motivated by its thrilling and incredibly well-written narrative. In the game, the player is encouraged to die and fail repeatedly in order to discover the origins of Zagreus. Each setback is a chance for the player to unlock underworld‘ Hidden Stories, gain abilities and perks that will help them complete the hero’s journey and learn more about Greek lore.
Sumire (2021)
sumire is a standout visual novel for the Switch created by indie game studio GameTomo. The game focuses on the titular character and focuses on the difficult struggles she faces, such as her grandmother’s death, her father’s departure, and her mother’s apathy.
Although it is a short adventure game, sumire is filled with heartfelt, feel-good moments that are genuinely touching and moving. To balance this, the title also conveys the dark emotions of the protagonist well through scary scenarios and chilling dialogues. To boot, the game is brought to life with a bright pastel palette and beautifully inspiring illustrations.
Raji: An Ancient Epic (2020)
Raji is the debut title from Nodding Head Games, a small game development studio based in India. The game follows the story of a young girl named Raji, who seeks to rescue her younger brother. Along the way, she encounters Hindu monsters and demons that she must kill to achieve her one and only true goal.
The title puts Hindu mythology and lore in the spotlight with its insightful cutscenes and commentary narrated by the gods, Durga and Vishnu. Raji’s epic story is perfectly complemented by stunning visuals and artwork, making it one of the best mythology-inspired video games on the Switch.
To the Moon (2011)
Originally released on PC in 2011, To the Moon was remade using the Unity engine and released for the Switch in 2020. Although the game has already been around for almost a decade, the touching and deep story of To the Moon remains timeless. The game revolves around two scientists, Dr. Wyatt and Dr. Rosaleane, and their mission to bring joy to a dying person’s life by recreating their memories.
The actual gameplay is mostly about reading text boxes, but the dialogue is incredibly intuitive, keeping players excited for what’s to come. The lack of dynamic movement is offset by an engaging story that can stand up to other great video game narratives.
Heaven Slayer (2020)
paradise killer will surely satisfy big fans of the mystery genre. Developed by British game studio Kaizen Game Works, paradise killer is an exciting open-world game that contains tons of surprising and even unsettling story elements. The title tasks players with solving a murder by doing detective work and interrogating characters they believe may be complicit in the crime.
The game’s confusing story may be its biggest selling point, but the visual aesthetic and soundtrack speak more for it. paradise killer. Making extensive use of elements from the visual and sound microgenre, Vaporwave, paradise killer immerses the player in an engaging world filled with retro computer interfaces, sculptures in funky settings, and distorted musical elements from the 80s and 90s.
Elisa (2019)
Known for its iconic puzzle games like SpaceChem and Infinifactoryindie game developer Zachtronics recently dove into the visual novel genre with Elisa. In Elisa, players explore a world as Evelyn, a woman who acts as a human proxy for a virtual counseling program. The game allows players to dictate how Evelyn will behave in various scenarios, which can then affect story outcomes.
Players can easily empathize with the main character as the plot explores timely and relevant themes of mental health, intrapersonal relationships, and the prevalence of technology. If a player feels a little tired of following the story, they can take their mind off things by playing the in-game version of solitaire.
Dark Wood (2014)
Gamers who love the horror genre should add Acid Wizard Studio’s dark wood to their wish list. Set in a dark Soviet forest and deeply rooted with spooky Slavic folk elements, from Darkwood the story is ultimately shaped by the player’s decisions. Interacting with in-game NPC requests and actions will influence the game’s subplots and even lead to different conclusions.
The mechanics of the title force the player to explore dangerous areas in order to survive, which further fuels the tension during gameplay. In fact, the game’s mysterious storyline combined with the exciting mechanics has made it a top pick of players on Metacritic.
What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)
The giant sparrow What Remains of Edith Finch is a first-person game that thoughtfully depicts feelings of sadness and grief. The player assumes the role of the titular character and explores the tragic history of the Finch family. Set in an enchanting labyrinthine house, the game takes the player on a journey that delves into the story of each unfortunate family member.
What Remains of Edith Finch features several distinct gameplay sequences that change as players move through the Finch family tree. Connecting each episode of the game is a moving story that urges players to uncover the curse placed on Edith and her loved ones.
Where Water Tastes Like Wine (2018)
Created by independent developer Dim Bulb Games, Where the water tastes like wine is an adventure and history game that features tales from the United States of America of the 19th and 20th centuries. Players assume the role of a hitchhiking skeleton who encounters various colorful characters, each with their own interesting and curious stories. As players progress through the game, they’ll hear the same stories repeated in more quirky detail.
Those who take the game will meet some of the most prolific figures in American literature. While narrative games often turn players off due to their lack of action, Where the water tastes like wine keeps fans engaged with its dazzling 1900s American aesthetic and superb voice acting.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (2019)
Disco Elysee is an isometric role-playing game from the brilliant minds of ZA/UM. The narrative game was a massive hit when it first released in 2019, thanks to its ingenious world-building and exploration of particular themes such as cryptozoology, post-war society, and prejudiced pseudoscience. The title immerses players in a dystopian world where they embody an anonymous detective with the mission to discover the truth behind the death of a character.
The final cut The version of the game was recently relaunched for the Switch, adding more features like new areas and collectibles. Additionally, voice acting has also been included in The final cut, something that previous versions did not have. Beginners who want to play this game should not be afraid to read tips and tricks from other fans, because Disco ElyseeCharacter creation and distinctive gameplay can be confusing at first.
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