Watcher Chronicles Review (Nintendo Switch OLED)

by Jim Smale · May 5, 2022

For this Watcher Chronicles Review, we become a glutton for punishment and persevere, alone or with a friend, against 20+ merciless bosses and legions of skeletal nightmares in this savage yet charming 2D souls-like. Purgatory has been invaded by an unholy threat. A group of fallen ones called “The Watchers” now seek to transform it into a new hell. Lost souls must unite or face utter annihilation…

Watcher Chronicles Review Pros:

Cartoon-style graphics.
1.4GB download size.
Can rebind controls.
Action RPG gameplay.
2.5D perspective.
Touchscreen support.
Tutorial signs as you play.
Hack and slash combat.
Loot can drop from enemies and chests.
Play how you want.
Dark Souls inspired.
Statues allow you to activate as a checkpoint and initiate multiplayer along with enabling fast travel between activated statues.
Local multiplayer.
All gear has its own unique stats.
Haven is your safe space hub where you can buy items and gear, upgrade gear, cash in Umbra for leveling up stats, and more unlock as you play.
Umbra is your currency for upgrading and drops from enemies, you lose it all when you die.
Stamina system in play for attacks, jumping, and dodging.
Big boss battles.
Checkpoints reset enemies as does death so you can farm Umbra.
The map uncovers as you explore and fulls in any points of interest.
The Umbra counter will turn green when you have enough to level up.
Easy to learn with a streamlined pick and play.
The locations you play in are huge and have many routes, areas, and secrets.
Analog and d-pad support for the movement.
A simple inventory system shows gear stats and uses the green for good and red for bad on stats, you can favorite gear and if it has requirements it will tell you.
You can do cool combos and air juggles.
A lot of fun to play.
Minibosses along with the big bad of the area.
You have full control of your character build with many weapons and magic options.
You have the main weapon and then a ranged weapon, you can block with your main weapon or sacrifice ranged for a shield.
Gets very addictive.
It seems you have several lives to reclaim your dropped Umbra.
Your personal growth is felt as you begin to destroy previously difficult enemies.
Destructible elements.

Watcher Chronicles Review Cons:

No accessibility options.
Cannot actually pause the game.
The Fall damage is harsh.
Hot detection can be a bit crap.
Ever so slight slowdown judder when entering certain areas.
Combat whilst simple, does take a bit of getting used to with regards to higher-level enemies.
You cannot look or change controls in-game.

Related Post: Loot River Review (Steam)

Watcher Chronicles:

Official website.

Developer: Third Sphere Game Studios

Publisher: Third Sphere Game Studios

Store Links –

Nintendo

9/10
Graphics - 9/10
8/10
Sound - 8/10
9/10
Accessibility - 9/10
9/10
Length - 9/10
10/10
Fun Factor - 10/10

9/10

Summary

Whilst I am not the biggest Soulslike gamer, I do enjoy them when they play well. Watcher Chronicles doesn’t really do a lot of new things in the genre in terms of mechanics but what it does do is offer to pinpoint accurate controls that result in a fun easy to learn hard to master combat, the locations are plain but hold many secrets and optional routes through. You can play how you want as many of the areas are open, you just have to find them. Boss fights are a big spectacle but to be honest, they are done in a way that you learn each time and it doesn’t take as long to best them. I fell in love with said combat and generally how it all looks as it goes for a cartoon approach but never let that trick you, Watcher Chronicles is a difficult game in every way but it is also one of the most rewarding Soulslike games in recent memory. If you have any desire to play the genre you need to seek this game out, it is a welcome challenge to both new and veteran players and is a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch.