Summary
TheNintendo Switchhas quietly become a top-tier platform for RPGs. Many of the Nintendo Switch’s best RPGs use an isometric view, allowing developers to display more action on the screen. While isometric RPGs are often associated with Western games, some quality JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch also utilize the isometric perspective.
Developers have also creatively used the Nintendo Switch’s distinct control system to accurately port RPGs that were originally native to PC. A major challenge with many PC games is adapting from keyboard and mouse controls, and the Switch has proven to be the best console at handling this transition. This makes it a prime choice for gamers who want to play isometric RPGs.
The Switch had a high-quality remake ofone of the best RPGs on the SNES,Super Mario RPG. The remake retains much of the charming aesthetics and art design of the original SNES title, and the game’s use of an isometric view is particularly useful given its platforming elements.
Super Mario RPG is relatively simple, featuring a small roster and low customization, but it offers engaging gameplay by requiring players to time their attacks correctly to inflict more damage. Additionally, Super Mario RPG has a good sense of humor and never overstays its welcome.
9Tactics Ogre Reborn
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is one of the best remakes of all time, so impressive that Square Enix created a remake of a remake.Tactics Ogre Rebornadds a lot of new gameplay elements to Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together and alters the game’s balance.
One weakness of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, and many tactics RPGs in general, is that it overly rewards power leveling. Tactics Ogre Reborn addresses this by forcing players to engage with the system and employ tactics through a significant limitation on grinding. As a result, Tactics Ogre Reborn is likely the most strategy-focused game in the Tactics Ogre series.
Disco Elysiumis one of the most unique games on the Switch. It’s a detective story where you’re tasked with solving a murder while also uncovering details about the protagonist’s past. What makes Disco Elysium particularly ambitious is its expansive web of skills and character traits that you can choose.
Unlike most RPGs, there is very little combat in Disco Elysium. Instead, you select your character’s skills and traits, and then interact with the world through various checks. Disco Elysium is alsoone of the best-written gamesand can be a great choice for those interested in themes like capitalism, racism, and existentialism.
For those looking to immerse themselves in a deep world,Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteousoffers a campaign that can last nearly 300 hours. It is one of the most accurate games in replicating the Dungeons & Dragons experience and is likely the most content-rich isometric RPG on the Nintendo Switch.
However, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous’s greatest strength might also be its biggest drawback. With over 200 class options and nearly half a million words in its script, players might experience decision paralysis. The sheer number of choices makes it an authentic Dungeons & Dragons experience, but it’s definitely not a game for casual players.
6Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition
The early 2000s featured many great Western isometric RPGs, includingFallout,Gothic, andBaldur’s Gate. Icewind Dale was an underrated gem from that era and has been revived with significant enhancements. Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition modernizes aspects like combat, menu options, and graphics.
The strength of Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition lies in its gameplay. It offers access to numerous classes and allows players to combine attributes and skills from different classes to create unique hybrids. Although the game suffers from a lackluster plot, for fans of Western RPGs from the early 2000s, Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition stands out as a top choice.
5Diablo II: Resurrected
Diablo II: Resurrectedmade no changes to the original gameplay of Diablo II, which highlights how excellent the original game was. Diablo II: Resurrected focuses on treasure hunting, with countless loot items to collect. This encourages players to repeatedly play the game in search of the ultimate gear.
One of the standout features of Diablo II: Resurrected is its extensive marketplaces. It’s easy to spend hours interacting with other players while shopping for new items, such as a new pair of boots.
Supergiant specializes in isometric RPGs, andBastionwas its first major success. Bastion is an action-based RPG that allows players to customize their gear, skills, and play style, but it intentionally offers little control over the story. The game serves as a commentary on rebuilding oneself after trauma.
The narration elevates Bastion from a good game to a masterpiece. As you explore a broken world, you seek ways to repair it. Bastion’s thematic depth emerges from the choice of how to “fix” these broken elements: do you rebuild them to their original state or accept the changes and move forward?
Like many roguelikes, you’re expected to die frequently inHades. Typically, in roguelikes, you improve as a player or gain items and abilities that make future runs more manageable. Hades goes a step further by using its roguelike structure to deepen its story.
With each successful run, you uncover more about the world of Hades. For fans of Greek mythology, the game offers a rich tapestry of ancient stories and plotlines woven into its narrative. Hades also features lesser-known deities, making it an excellent game for learning about Greek mythology.
Two of the most iconic isometric RPGs, Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions, are must-plays for anyone interested in the genre. While the original Baldur’s Gate focused heavily on exploration, Baldur’s Gate II is often considered the peak of the series. The Switch offers the best console port for these games due to its successful adaptation of mouse and keyboard controls.
Baldur’s Gate II places a strong emphasis on companionship. Unlike the first game, you interact with your party members and uncover intriguing details about them as the story unfolds.
1Divinity Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin 2features one of the best battle systems in any isometric RPG. The game includes deep mechanics such as the alchemy system and the elemental system, which offer significant complexity and strategic options.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 allows for creative manipulation of the environment. you’re able to make enemies wet by casting rain, freeze them with cryokinesis, and then unfreeze them with pyrokinesis, all within moments. The game provides control over its environment and boasts a dynamic plot with brilliant voice acting.
