The third Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase is here. Always something to look forward to, so let’s see what the Showcase has to offer that stood out to me!
Rune Factory 5
One of the last news snippets in the Showcase, but it just has to be the first mentioned here: we saw footage of Rune Factory 5! And it looks very, very good. You know how I love my farming games, but Rune Factory always tops Story of Seasons or even Stardew Valley for me. The game has farming and dating elements, but also boasts a great crafting and fighting element.
After losing their memory, the hero lands in a small town blessed by nature. There, they are recruited into a band of peacekeeping rangers, and their new life begins. In addition to their normal duties, the hero can farm the land, cast a line into the nearby river, and so much more! Team up with townsfolk to battle monsters and unleash powerful combination attacks.
In Rune Factory 5 a new battle system comes in place, letting you combine attacks with your allies to take down tougher monsters. There’s still a long wait ahead, as we don’t know an exact date, just 2021.
Monster Hunter Rise
Capcoms newest Monster Hunter game is called Rise and it’s coming to the Switch on March 26, 2021. No doubt good news for the fans! Monster Hunter games have a very endearing element to me and that’s the Palico. Because the games looks so good and said Palico I did try playing it on the 3DS way back then, but it’s not for me (read my experiences here).
This time, Rise has a new dog companion, called Palamute, that you can ride. Palamutes can run without decreasing stamina, but they can also aid your hunter in attacking monsters. At least you won’t feel alone in your battles with the Palamute and Palico accompanying you!
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
A Capcom title that really caught my interest is Monster Hunter Stories! Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is coming to the Switch in Summer 2021. The game looks amazing just as the first entry of the series did on the 3DS. The games definitely have a Pokémon vibe to it but instead of hunting monsters, players steal eggs and hatch them, caring for the baby monsters and raising them into friends. The monsters then battle alongside you in turn-based combat but you can also ride on your monster friends.
Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise
If you are into exercising then the sequel to the exercise rhythm game Fitness Boxing then this new game will be for you. The game that launches on December 4th adds new modes, including a two-player mode. There are three new instructors (while there already were six in the original game). If you’ve got the original, you can carry your save data over to the new game, too.
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny
NIS America announced that the first new Disgaea game in six years, Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny, is coming to the Switch in summer 2021!
Zed is a boastful zombie who wallows on the lowest rung on the Netherworld ladder alongside his sister Bieko. When the strongest God of Destruction threatens their way of (un)life, Zed must harness his unique ability of Super Reincarnation to stand against the approaching menace. Along the way, he will unite with twisted and colorful denizens of the Netherworld, face challenges around and within, and see if even an undying hooligan like himself can defy the odds!
Empire of Sin
Empire of Sin is a strategy game from Romero Games and Paradox Interactive. It puts you at the heart of the ruthless criminal underworld of 1920s Prohibition-era Chicago. It’s up to you to hustle, charm and intimidate your way to the top of the pile and do whatever it takes to stay there. This character-driven, noir-inspired game puts players smack dab in the glitz and glamor of the roaring 20s, all while working behind the scenes in the gritty underbelly of organized crime.
The game will release on the Switch on December 1, 2020 and has a rating of 16+ in Europe (and M in America).
Balan Wonderworld
Square Enix is bringing us a good looking title called Balan Wonderwold, an action platformer that has colorful visuals, fantastical music, and navigation through some deep and heavy themes. Put yourself in the shoes of Leo and Emma as they change abilities with a change of clothes. There are more then 80 costumes to collect and you can take three with you at a time to make conquering the levels in the game easier.
The game is coming to the Nintendo Switch on March 26, 2021.
Introducing #BalanWonderworld
From the creators of Sonic the Hedgehog comes a new action-platformer, wear over 80+ costumes and use your powers to restore happiness and balance!
Step into a theater filled with wonder on #Xbox, #PS5, #PS4, #NintendoSwitch & #Steam in Spring 2021 pic.twitter.com/0ECRvAsdH1
— Balan Wonderworld (@balanwworld) July 23, 2020
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
From the creators of Ori and the Blind Forest comes the highly-anticipated sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The trailer of the adventure sure shows a vast and exotic world where you’ll encounter towering enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to discover Ori’s true destiny.
The hand-crafted game looks very good, and the deeply emotional storytelling, strikingly beautiful environments, and a stunning soundtrack will make it an adventure you will likely remember.
The adventure platformer is out today in the Nintendo eShop.
Well, that’s a lot of exciting announcements indeed! It’s particularly nice to see long-running series get new and fresh instalments, especially when the most recent entry in the series is several years old already. I’m hyped! 😀
I’ve seen several that I really want to play, like Monster Hunter Stories and Rune Factory. Good games to look forward to!