Wildermyth has truly captured my heart. The PC version remains a personal favorite, and I often indulge in it on Steam. Playing alongside a friend adds a layer of enjoyment. The introduction of the Omenroad DLC revitalized my gaming experience, making me eager for the Wildermyth: Console Edition on Switch to offer a comparable thrill. However, upon its initial release, I was dismayed to find that it lacks several features that contribute to its charm. It’s particularly frustrating given my expectation of engaging primarily in solo play.
For those unfamiliar with it, Wildermyth is an innovative turn-based strategy game that utilizes procedural generation. You begin your journey with three characters, classified as hunters, mystics, or warriors. (You’ll soon recruit a fourth companion as the adventure unfolds.) You can select from a variety of campaigns that serve as the foundation for your journey and adversaries. While the overarching objective of a campaign remains consistent, the path to achieving it varies based on random events, personal decisions, and tactical maneuvers in battles. This dynamic approach makes each playthrough feel distinct, particularly as you can later recruit heroes from your previous adventures into new narratives.
While I cherish having a new platform to enjoy Wildermyth, I can’t help but feel a bit let down by the fact that Wildermyth: Console Edition on the Switch doesn’t quite match the depth or polish of its PC counterpart at launch. The Omenroad DLC, which adds roguelike features that I now adore for solo play, has yet to make its debut here. The development team has stated on social media that, “Currently, there are no plans to introduce Omenroad to the console version, but it’s something we’re keen on seeing happen in the future.” This leaves me disappointed, as a feature I’ve grown fond of remains inaccessible.
Moreover, as I previously mentioned, my expectation is to experience Wildermyth: Console Edition solo on the Switch, particularly because online multiplayer functionality is completely absent at this time. This is quite disheartening since my previous gaming sessions were often spent in online co-op mode. I resorted to single-player campaigns primarily for reviewing the Omenroad DLC. For me, the game feels best as a shared experience, and coordinating four players for a session on Switch poses a significant challenge. I find its lack particularly disappointing.
While these aspects are known issues, the bugs present some unexpected frustrations. During the tutorial phase, Wildermyth: Console Edition crashed twice in the second year and again once in the third year on the Switch. Thankfully, autosave features mitigated any substantial loss of progress, but it’s always disheartening to encounter such problems at launch.
Another concern is the inconsistent rendering of enemies. This issue isn’t present in every battle, but it does arise frequently enough that it can be frustrating. Occasionally, you may encounter strange boxes in place of your foes, creating challenges in targeting and selection during gameplay.
There is, at least, the inclusion of a Monster Compendium in this version. This bestiary offers insights into the enemies faced throughout different campaigns, which can be useful when embarking on a new run to prepare for upcoming confrontations. However, my focus is more on the heroes I create and their development rather than on understanding the adversaries they face. While the Compendium is a neat touch, it wasn’t something I found necessary beyond my initial review.
Ultimately, Wildermyth: Console Edition brings something enjoyable to the Switch’s game library, but it can’t quite surpass the PC version at this point. The gameplay remains delightful when functioning smoothly. Still, due to the absence of features such as Omenroad, online multiplayer capabilities, and persistent bugs, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this version as the best way to experience Wildermyth.
You can find Wildermyth: Console Edition available on the Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The original game was first introduced for PC users.
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