Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption Video Review, Switch Impression

Our video review for Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption largely focuses on the recently-recent Nintendo Switch version the game. However, as the experience largely matches that of the original PC release, we have incorporated selected parts of Michael Baker’s review of the PC edition. For those who prefer the written experience, the impression specifically related to the Switch version is also available below.

 


Rogue To Go

Ports of PC-style RPGs have been slowly but surely creeping onto the Nintendo Switch in the last two years, with both successes and failures.  Translating mouse-driven games to a controller experience brings with it a variety of challenges, including expectations of the users.  Thankfully Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption manages to make the jump with an excellent agility stat and climbing skill.

In terms of what’s changed for the Nintendo Switch version, all content remains the same, including the numerous bug fixes and balance changes introduced for the PC version since its launch on PC in mid-2018.  Players will have just fifty days to grow Shawn from a deadbeat thief into a heroic rogue, and players can expect to invest around twelve to fifteen hours per playthrough.

One sadly missed opportunity is a lack of any sort of tutorial; Hero-U throws players straight into a lake of mystery and intrigue and expects swimming to simply happen.  For Quest for Glory veterans, this isn’t a tough task, but for those new to the series or genre it’s quite daunting, and getting used to the game’s time mechanics has a steep learning curve.  However, once things get going, any lack of prior experience with the QfG series is not an issue.  Another overlooked qualify of life feature is a lack of ongoing actions.  Not being able to hold down the A button to have Shawn continue to walk down a hallway, or being unable to simply hold left or right to spin the wheel on a trap puzzle is a strange choice more puzzling than a Houdini lock.

Performance-wise, Hero-U is one of the rare PC to Switch ports that works better in handheld mode. When outside of the Switch dock, the game feels smooth and fits perfectly with on-the-go gameplay.  While playing on a television, there’s a slight sluggishness to the game that crops up after certain actions, such as moving to new zones during specific times of the day.  In both docked and handheld modes, there’s also a slight delay in when Shawn loads into a new region of the castle and when the player can begin performing actions, such as moving or interacting with objects in the immediate area.

While these are perceptible issues not to be dismissed out of hand, none of them are dealbreakers, even when taken as a whole; anyone who was willing to wait two years for the hope of a console launch can find ample enjoyment in the Switch port, especially for those who prefer to brandish a dagger in handheld mode.

 

Disclosure: This article is based on a free copy of the game provided by the publisher.

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Anna Marie Privitere

I like writing reviews and impressions. Co-Owner of RPGamer.

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1 Response

  1. It’s a funny feeling, listening to you read out my old review, lol.

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