Assuming one actually manages to find them on the Nintendo eShop, the Switch is home to a small but impressive collection of high fantasy games, many of which are unsurprisingly RPGs. People play games for countless reasons, but few are as enticing as the promise of exploring unique worlds that happen to be in desperate need of a hero. It is the ultimate escapist fantasy.
Even if a definition that satisfies everyone does not exist, high fantasy generally refers to stories that take place in alternate worlds that have little to do with reality. Races like elves and orcs might occupy this realm alongside humans, while the main storyline is usually quite adventurous and hopeful, with a hero rising up to resist an outside force seeking to destabilize an idealistic world. Here are the five best high fantasy games on the Nintendo Switch, along with the five worst.
10 Best: Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
As great as the sequel is, Xenoblade Chronicles arguably remains the peak of the franchise. While the Nintendo Switch port has been subject to some controversy, it is still the great game that graced the Wii in the early 2010s. Set in a world defined by a conflict between two titans, Bionis and Mechonis, Xenoblade Chronicles follows Shulk, a member of the human-like Homs race, who learns that he can wield a weapon capable of damaging machine-like beings known as Mechon.
Although there are sci-fi details incorporated into this universe, Xenoblade Chronicles pushes its high fantasy elements to the forefront, creating an experience that is timeless.
9 Worst: Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
Just to be clear, Neverwinter Nights is a fantastic RPG that, while obviously aged in many areas, is still worth playing today. There are just so many better ways to experience this classic than on the Nintendo Switch. The port is playable ones someone familiarizes themselves with the controls, but the game is known to be quite buggy and prone to crashes.
Some players might be luckier than others, but that does not make the Switch version any less of a disappointment.
8 Best: Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
When considering classic RPG franchises about chosen warriors taking on evil entities to save their worlds, Dragon Quest is the pinnacle. Ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2019, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age serves as a prime example that optimistic turn-based RPGs still have a place in the gaming industry.
Like any other entry in the series, Echoes Of An Elusive Age is charming, cleverly written, and maintains an adventurous tone throughout its rather long campaign. Dragon Quest is fantasy in its purest form.
7 Worst: The Forbidden Arts
The Forbidden Arts has quite a few things going for it; unfortunately, it is let down by a few big issues. The appropriately named Phoenix has an affinity for fire magic and sets out on an adventure to learn the titular arts in order to take down a feared Necromancer. Along the way, he visits five dungeons, meets an elf ranger, fights a fair few of conventional fantasy monsters, and does a lot of platforming.
The Forbidden Arts tries to be a side-scrolling platformer, an adventure game with a sizable overworld and traditional dungeons, and an action game with combat revolving around recognizing enemy patterns. While the controls are generally fine and the platforming is serviceable, the game falters in most other areas. The combat is largely awful, the overworld is barren, and the dungeons – while quite scenic – are uneven in terms of quality. Ultimately, this leads to an adventure that is often frustrating.
6 Best: Divinity: Original Sin II – Definitive Edition
A must-play for fans of tactical RPGs, Divinity: Original Sin II is the best entry in a series known for producing high-quality titles. The world of Rivellon is protected from the Void and the God King's forces that inhabit it by a Veil, which unfortunately has started to weaken. That is where the player character comes in, as they take on the role of a Godwoken, a being elected to stave off the Void and protect Rivellon.
Divinity: Original Sin II boasts a rich world that is home to memorable characters with personable stories to tell, along with battle scenarios that should test any hero.
5 Worst: Super Neptunia RPG
Taking place in a universe inspired by the console wars, the Neptunia games have always been something of an acquired taste; that said, the main entries do have their charm. Super Neptunia RPG, a turn-based RPG set in a 2D world controlled by an evil organization that can only be stopped by a group of chosen heroes, is a spin-off that is closer to a traditional high fantasy game than the principal series. Unfortunately, it is not great.
Although the environments can be quite gorgeous at times, the battle system gets dull rather quickly and the humor is not quite strong enough to make up for the uninteresting storyline and side-quests.
4 Best: Diablo III: Eternal Collection
While the earlier entries in the series are dark fantasy, Diablo III's shift towards a more narrative-driven approach and less gothic architecture makes it a prime candidate for the high fantasy genre.
Originally released in 2012, Diablo III has gotten better and better with each new version, and the Eternal Collection represents Blizzard's game at its best. Occasionally, there is nothing more entertaining than wrecking demons using a range of weapons or spells, and Diablo III makes that process more enjoyable than most games.
3 Worst: Revenant Saga
Available across console generations, Revenant Saga is a '90s inspired RPG that harbors back to the SNES era, albeit with a 3D turn-based battle system more reminiscent of Dragon Quest VIII. Following a grim set-up that involves the slaughter of a human town at the hands of a demonic force and the protagonist having to share his body with one of the demons, Revenant Saga settles into a predictable rhythm as the main party head to familiar towns and engage in battles against common fantasy monsters.
The plot does have its moments but is held back by uneven localization and uninspired dialogue, while the turn-based combat could have used a few new mechanics besides the ability to transform like a magical girl from an anime.
2 Best: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild distills the core ideas of fantasy RPGs to their purest forms. While Link is given the main quest to liberate the four possessed Divine Beasts and save Hyrule from Calamity Ganon, Breath of the Wild otherwise leaves players to their own devices.
Players can explore the kingdom of Hyrule, upgrade Link's health and stamina, complete shrines, mingle with the remnants of a once-great civilization, and – when the time feels right – defeat Calamity Ganon.
1 Worst: The Elder Scrolls: Blades
The Nintendo Switch might not be the ideal platform to experience massive open-world RPGs like The Witcher III: Wild Hunt or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but those ports are still far better options than Blades. Blades might be set in The Elder Scrolls universe but it does not offer an Elder Scrolls experience, as it is more of a dungeon crawler than an explorative RPG.
The combat and its progression system are the best parts of Blades, as there is fun to be had with unlocking and trying out new spells and attacks. However, the game's awful pacing, braindead AI, and boring level design kill any chance that Blades might have had at being mindless fun.