The improved editions of two of the best RPGs of video games now come to Nintendo Switch for the enjoyment of lovers of good role.
The development of the Black Isle Studios developer through the world of video games is perhaps not the longest but few companies have the honor of having among their creations some of the best role titles in the history of this leisure. If we also add the collaborations he had in his short life with BioWare in other proposals of the same nature, we see that the study, having celebrated more birthdays, could now be one of the dominant developers of the genre.
The first two installments of Fallout, five videogames from the Baldur’s Gate series, four from Icewind Dale or Planescape Torment are their cover letter, and often a resume! Now and after its passage in computers we get to Nintendo Switch the improved editions of two greats of the genre; Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale.
Two great classics in a cartridge
This compilation that comes to the detachable hybrid from Meridiem Games, Beamdog and Skybound Games brings the Planescape titles: Torment Enhanced Edition and Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition with the improvements that were applied to the editions of computer. That is, graphic, interface improvements, remastered melodies, gameplay adjustments and even missions that had to be left out of the original games. On the other hand, Icewind Dale includes new classes with which to customize our heroes, the Heart of Winter and Trials of Luremaster expansions and new voices and portraits for all the adventures included.
Both titles are old-school role-playing video games, tactical and presented in two-dimensional isometric view. Planescape invites us to discover the AD&D multiverse by visiting the multiple planes that inhabit them and, in fact, it was the first video game that talked about them. In the adventure we take the role of the Nameless, an adventurer who comes back to life without memories in a mortuary called The Hive. It will be our duty to move forward in the plot to know who we are and why we have returned from the dead. In Icewind Dale the action is located in the universe of the Forgotten Realms and our hero must fulfill the task of traveling to Kuldahar where it is believed that a great danger resides.
If you want to have more information on how to play, what they deal with in depth, mechanics and other details you can visit the texts we dedicate Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition and Planescape: Torment by clicking on the attached links. Both analyzes will make you better understand the operation of the game and its history while in this we will talk about the execution of them under the hardware of Switch.
Both editions and downloadable content attached arrive in their latest version, or what is the same, with all the updates received until last year on computers. These include new playable classes, updates that correct characters that were not displayed correctly, improvements in the interface, gameplay errors, inopportune crashes that do not occur now, or spells that now work as they should. In the case of Planescape: Torment, our Reviews is based on the original video game but you should know that the treatment that has been received by Beamdog is the same that has been granted to Icewind Dale or the two deliveries of Baldur's Gate, so you can Expect a significant improvement in all its features and content.
Mouse where are you
The question that perhaps torments the players will be the same for everyone; How do you both play without a mouse? The truth is that Beamdog has managed to adapt the needs of both titles to the Nintendo Switch keypad but an adaptation by the player is necessary if you want to be effective in handling the heroes. Briefly reviewing the controls we have, for the upper buttons, the choice of a specific hero or all and open the pause or group menu. With A we execute the actions, with Y we move the map and add interest marks on it, with X we access the bottom menu, with the + sign we pause the adventure and with – we enter the game configuration area which, by the way, It does not lack any option. With the crosshead we can choose targets or activate the pointer mode by emulating a mouse with the analog stick.
Another interesting detail is that we can move the whole group or just one of our heroes with a joystick, so walking through the extensive mappings is a delight. There is a small but attributable to this control and we can cancel actions or not execute them correctly if we use the analog in the middle of the process. For example, if we want to enter a building, we have to select the door, press the action button and no longer touch the knob or it may happen that the player goes through the door but does not enter the house. This example is extrapolated to other actions so, once again, the player must learn to use the control correctly in both titles if he does not want to take more than one scare.
As we have said the adaptation to the command of Nintendo Switch is quite commendable – although quite far from what was done with Divinity: Original Without 2 for consoles – but it requires many button presses to reach a simple spell and then cast it at the enemy, although the action can be paused at that time. In addition there is a but quite important in all this; The touch functions of the Japanese hybrid are embellished. Neither Icewind Dale nor Planescape: Torment use this technology to alleviate so much transition and it is a very serious problem seeing that both versions do have this feature on phones and tablets.
Lots of hours of fun
The compilation brings the original improved editions of Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment, which in itself ensures a hundred hours of play in a single game. At this time we must add the missions that have been added to both that for one reason or another were discarded in the originals in addition to an additional expansion for Icewind Dale called Hearts of Winter. As announced on the Meridiem Games page, Icewind Dale also arrives with the Trials of Luremaster expansion but the truth is that within the program there is no access to it or any reference so you have to wait if it is added in the near future as downloadable content .
In the case of the last title that we have mentioned all its contents had online multiplayer mode but currently this compilation for Nintendo Switch does not have this game mode and instead it has been enabled soon that makes us think that it is intended to be added at some point or that this function will be added with the release of this edition.
On the other hand we have the same doubt with the translation into Spanish. It is not available as standard for any text that appears on the screen. The box of this compilation does comment that there are language packs in the Switch digital store to download but, today, none of them appear so we will update the Reviews tomorrow with this data after the launch of the video game. From Meridiem Games they have not been able to clarify this doubt even if they have told us that one of them will continue to maintain their texts in English and, we suppose, will be Planescape: Torment.
A very successful compilation
Technically we will not see news regarding their homonyms on computers, so we will see what the Steam platform received but on Switch. They are not games that require powerful hardware and even the titles of this same collection are available separately on mobile phones and tablets, so their adaptation is great. The update of its graphics at high resolution is good although it shows that they have adapted to a higher than they were designed, especially if we connect the console to the TV. The music and special effects have received a face lift so the soundtracks are heard at very good quality and have also been arranged for the occasion.
In terms of game configuration there are a lot of options that we can use to improve our visits to the D&D sites. From increasing or reducing the font size to additional visual indicators or automatic saves, everything has been thought to have a pleasant experience whether you play with the machine connected to the TV or make use of its portability. Increasing the font size, for example, becomes necessary in the latter mode if you are one of those who have vision problems although by default they are quite large and sharp.
Although it is not a novelty of this compilation, the improvement in the interface is also appreciated, from the menus to such basic things as the mission diary. All the added visual details and improvements in the technological section make this compilation an essential, especially if we take into account the versatility of this edition to be played from the sofa or wherever we want. Of course, without the addition of compatibility with the touch screen loses points in the portable game.
CONCLUSION
Once again the mobility of Nintendo Switch makes winning a video game integers, in this case Planescape: Torment + Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition. However, although the result obtained by adapting this edition brought from computers to the Japanese hybrid is generally quite good, a control adapted to the tactile characteristics of the console is missing, without them the compilation loses some interest due to its quantity of menus and options. Today the video game is entirely in English and the multiplayer has not been activated yet, we will have to wait in the next few days if both points receive updates.
THE BEST
- The two original adventures plus extras.
- Good control adaptation although practice is needed.
- Lots of settings to improve the gaming experience to our liking.
WORST
- For now in full English.
- The touch capability of Switch is not used.
- No multiplayer currently.
- On TV you can see that the graphics have been adapted to a higher resolution.
Very good
Remarkable game that we will enjoy and remember. A good purchase, highly recommended for lovers of the genre. It is well taken care of at all levels.
