12-29-2020, 12:11 AM
Feature: The Best Hidden Gems And Overlooked Switch Games Of 2020
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="https://images.nintendolife.com/0d44b73b3bd4b/large.jpg"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/0d44b73b3bd4b/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<p>Another year, another huge pile of excellent new vidya games sitting on Switch eShop. If you managed to play everything that caught your eye this year, we’re deeply envious! With so many great games, it was once again hard to keep up, even when many people found themselves with some unexpected free time in 2020.</p>
<p>Yes, this year we were once again spoiled for choice and forced to deal with the terrible reality of too many great games and not enough time. It’s the holiday season now, though, so if you’re sitting back and wondering what to play, we’d like to point you towards the twenty gems below that you might have missed — the best hidden gems on Switch in 2020.</p>
<p>We’ve asked for recommendations from Nintendo Life readers on <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/community_12_switch_games_we_missed_as_recommended_by_you">a couple of occasions</a>, but every single one of the games below was reviewed by Nintendo Life and scored at least an 8/10 (one of them even got the very top score possible!). We’re more than happy to highlight them again in this end of year period (as we did <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/12/feature_the_best_hidden_gems_and_underrated_switch_games_of_2019">last year</a>) in the hope that you’re able to catch them before the first haul of 2021 arrives imminently.</p>
<p>If any of the titles below are already part of your Switch library, bully for you! If, however, you’re looking for something to play and these gems passed you by, they’re sitting there right now on the Switch eShop. Enjoy!</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/horace"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/3b153a35f12be/horace-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Horace (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/horace"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/be9e7b6ab3c1f/horace-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Horace (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>505 Games</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Paul Helman</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>21st Oct 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>21st Oct 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/horace">Horace</a></strong> is something very special — the only vaguely negative thing we can say about it is the fact that there are so many spectacularly brilliant indie games on Switch already vying for your attention that we fear Horace may fall somewhat by the wayside. If you have any interest in superb level design, excellent storytelling, terrific art, evocative music, great characters, hilarious situations and emotional gut-punches, Horace is a no-brainer. It’s moving without being manipulative, clever without being smug, and nostalgic without being a lazy rehash. It’s a platformer, but it’s so much <em>more</em> than that.</p>
<p>So yes, Horace is <em>another</em> indie masterpiece, and every gamer who enjoys quality experiences should play it; a masterpiece that owes so much to its medium, but has the strength, creativity and identity to stand alone as something very, very special. Buy this. Check out <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/feature_horace_developers_on_die_hard_britishness_and_finding_the_right_genre_label">our interview</a> with the two-person development team if you need more convincing.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/bug_fables_the_everlasting_sapling"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/fa105404c905d/bug-fables-the-everlasting-sapling-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/bug_fables_the_everlasting_sapling"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/6e82ba1b7a5c5/bug-fables-the-everlasting-sapling-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>DANGEN Entertainment</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Moonsprout Games</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>28th May 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>28th May 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p>Developer Moonsprout Games was probably relieved to get this loving homage to <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-best-paper-mario-games-of-all-time">Nintendo’s Paper Mario series</a> out the door and on the eShop before <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/paper_mario_the_origami_king">The Origami King</a></strong> was announced just a couple of months later. <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/bug_fables_the_everlasting_sapling">Bug Fables</a></strong> is a superbly polished independent tribute to the first two Paper Mario games – but that’s not to say it doesn’t have its own, strong identity. The sheer familiarity is a little bit wearying at times – seriously, it’s like it’s been traced over in places – but Paper Mario with the serial numbers filed off is still a <em>very</em> good time. There’s plenty to see and do, a rather compulsive card game to play and hidden secrets all over the place. Add all this silky-smooth performance, a splendid soundtrack and turn-based combat that’s never less than engaging and you’ve got a surefire winner here.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/evergate"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/8e0639f266971/evergate-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Evergate (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/evergate"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/678c5399dd6e3/evergate-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Evergate (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>PQube</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Stone Lantern Games</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>18th Aug 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>18th Aug 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/evergate">Evergate</a></strong> is a wonderfully designed puzzle/platformer that starts off strong and goes from strength to strength over the course of its campaign. Every new world you encounter here adds a new twist to proceedings, gradually becoming more complex as it layers mechanics on top of one each other, enabling you to experiment and come up with your own unique ways to bound across its intricate levels. Speed-running here, for us, feels like it was tacked on for no real reason but, besides this one little misstep, this really is an essential purchase for puzzle/platforming fans and a standout example of its genre on Switch.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/08/feature_evergate_developer_takes_us_behind_the_scenes_of_the_upcoming_puzzle-platform_adventure">our interview</a> with Stone Lantern if you’re after more information on the story behind the game.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/to_the_moon"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/3ab2cd2043eec/to-the-moon-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="To The Moon (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/to_the_moon"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/77811ede754b2/to-the-moon-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="To The Moon (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>X.D. Network</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Freebird Games</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>16th Jan 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>16th Jan 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/to_the_moon">To The Moon</a></strong> is a powerful interactive story. It’s a short game but it manages to make its players directly confront uncomfortable situations and emotions with which we’ll all struggle at some point in our lives. Mental illness, death, heartbreak, tragedy… it’s all in here, and handled honestly within a brilliant narrative setup that allows us to watch a lifetime deconstructed, layer by layer, revealing the very human mistakes and unavoidable interruptions of fate that shape how our lives ultimately turn out. All in a matter of four or five hours.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/wunderling"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/7917459dc67f9/wunderling-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Wunderling (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/wunderling"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/820816d378242/wunderling-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Wunderling (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Retroid Interactive</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Retroid Interactive</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>5th Mar 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>5th Mar 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p>By removing the basic ability to turn direction whilst walking, <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/wunderling">Wunderling</a></strong> proves itself to be an incredibly addictive ‘Goomba-sim’ platformer that boasts excellent level design, brilliant writing, and adorable visuals. Its impressive accessibility means that almost anyone can pick it up, but it simultaneously remains challenging enough to keep you engaged for hours.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/12/feature_what_is_a_wunderling_developer_retroid_on_its_upcoming_2d_goomba_sim">our interview</a> with developer Retroid for more details on this cute little platformer.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/stories_untold"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/d6d93b389d308/stories-untold-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Stories Untold (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/stories_untold"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/319fa365e6cc1/stories-untold-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Stories Untold (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Devolver Digital</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>No Code</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>16th Jan 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>16th Jan 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/stories_untold">Stories Untold</a></strong> is a chilling adventure that manages to draw us right into its world through the ingenious use of its UI and perfectly realised lo-fi aesthetic. Through the walls of old technology and complicated machinery, it creates a uniquely strong bond between player and narrative, giving you a real sense of place within its world as it slowly corrupts and twists from the comfortingly familiar to something else entirely. It’s one of the best interactive horror stories we’ve ever played and a perfect fit for enjoying alone in the dark on Switch.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/good_job"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/27d8ee9b8e94c/good-job-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Good Job! (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/good_job"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/710163a339027/good-job-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Good Job! (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Nintendo</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Paladin Studios</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>26th Mar 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>26th Mar 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/good_job">Good Job!</a></strong> Is a wonderful surprise that <em>everyone</em> should try out. Thanks to its hilarious physics, seemingly menial tasks have the potential to descend into utter carnage – whether intentional or not – and its grading system means there are plenty of opportunities to replay. Slight technical hiccups aside, Good Job! is <em>absolutely</em> guaranteed to have you in fits of laughter.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/in_other_waters"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/371237a02d624/in-other-waters-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="In Other Waters (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/in_other_waters"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/14dbb1411cebc/in-other-waters-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="In Other Waters (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Fellow Traveller</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Jump Over The Age</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>3rd Apr 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>3rd Apr 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p>A very pleasant surprise indeed, <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/in_other_waters">In Other Waters</a></strong> is a bit of a minimalist masterpiece that you’ll often want to dip into for a more contemplative experience than the majority of the Switch’s library. It has found a perfect home on the handheld, the form factor of which massively works in the favour of the game’s mood and atmosphere to create an exceptional and unique experience. What you’re getting here is a story that you’re an integral part of, and it’s one of the coolest, cleverest games we’ve played in a long time. An absolutely first-class effort.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/lonely_mountains_downhill"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/b9927b891aa5f/lonely-mountains-downhill-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Lonely Mountains: Downhill (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/lonely_mountains_downhill"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/5c1b2b93a09af/lonely-mountains-downhill-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Lonely Mountains: Downhill (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Thunderful</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Megagon</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>7th May 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>7th May 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p>An exquisite bike racer-cum-trials game with tight controls, varied courses, and uniquely zen-like presentation. At once calming and demanding, <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/lonely_mountains_downhill">Lonely Mountains: Downhill</a></strong> looks and feels like no other game on the eShop. Barring one or two disappointing technical issues, it’s an absolute freewheeling delight.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/afterparty"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/95c1d76e2761c/afterparty-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Afterparty (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/afterparty"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/9aee91ba6ee9c/afterparty-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Afterparty (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Night School Studio</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Night School Studio</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>3rd Mar 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>3rd Mar 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/afterparty">Afterparty</a></strong> is certainly an acquired taste, but—like a fine wine or a good beer—it’s definitely worth the effort. From beginning to end, Night School’s follow up to <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/oxenfree">Oxenfree</a></strong> is a thoroughly enjoyable narrative experience that draws you into a hellish world that you (ironically) won’t want to leave. Branching paths and a smartly implemented drink system add plenty of options for replayability, and though the performance leaves something to be desired, Afterparty proves itself to be a visual treat. We’d give Afterparty a high recommendation to anyone looking for a good story to immerse themselves in; this is one that goes down <em>real</em> smooth.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/03/feature_oxenfree_developer_on_mixing_up_demons_drinks_and_drama_in_afterparty">our interview</a> with Sean Krankel from Night School for some behind-the-scenes thoughts.</p>
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https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/2020/12/...s-of-2020/
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="https://images.nintendolife.com/0d44b73b3bd4b/large.jpg"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/0d44b73b3bd4b/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<p>Another year, another huge pile of excellent new vidya games sitting on Switch eShop. If you managed to play everything that caught your eye this year, we’re deeply envious! With so many great games, it was once again hard to keep up, even when many people found themselves with some unexpected free time in 2020.</p>
<p>Yes, this year we were once again spoiled for choice and forced to deal with the terrible reality of too many great games and not enough time. It’s the holiday season now, though, so if you’re sitting back and wondering what to play, we’d like to point you towards the twenty gems below that you might have missed — the best hidden gems on Switch in 2020.</p>
<p>We’ve asked for recommendations from Nintendo Life readers on <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/community_12_switch_games_we_missed_as_recommended_by_you">a couple of occasions</a>, but every single one of the games below was reviewed by Nintendo Life and scored at least an 8/10 (one of them even got the very top score possible!). We’re more than happy to highlight them again in this end of year period (as we did <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/12/feature_the_best_hidden_gems_and_underrated_switch_games_of_2019">last year</a>) in the hope that you’re able to catch them before the first haul of 2021 arrives imminently.</p>
<p>If any of the titles below are already part of your Switch library, bully for you! If, however, you’re looking for something to play and these gems passed you by, they’re sitting there right now on the Switch eShop. Enjoy!</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/horace"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/3b153a35f12be/horace-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Horace (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/horace"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/be9e7b6ab3c1f/horace-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Horace (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>505 Games</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Paul Helman</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>21st Oct 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>21st Oct 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/horace">Horace</a></strong> is something very special — the only vaguely negative thing we can say about it is the fact that there are so many spectacularly brilliant indie games on Switch already vying for your attention that we fear Horace may fall somewhat by the wayside. If you have any interest in superb level design, excellent storytelling, terrific art, evocative music, great characters, hilarious situations and emotional gut-punches, Horace is a no-brainer. It’s moving without being manipulative, clever without being smug, and nostalgic without being a lazy rehash. It’s a platformer, but it’s so much <em>more</em> than that.</p>
<p>So yes, Horace is <em>another</em> indie masterpiece, and every gamer who enjoys quality experiences should play it; a masterpiece that owes so much to its medium, but has the strength, creativity and identity to stand alone as something very, very special. Buy this. Check out <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/feature_horace_developers_on_die_hard_britishness_and_finding_the_right_genre_label">our interview</a> with the two-person development team if you need more convincing.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/bug_fables_the_everlasting_sapling"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/fa105404c905d/bug-fables-the-everlasting-sapling-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/bug_fables_the_everlasting_sapling"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/6e82ba1b7a5c5/bug-fables-the-everlasting-sapling-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>DANGEN Entertainment</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Moonsprout Games</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>28th May 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>28th May 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p>Developer Moonsprout Games was probably relieved to get this loving homage to <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-best-paper-mario-games-of-all-time">Nintendo’s Paper Mario series</a> out the door and on the eShop before <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/paper_mario_the_origami_king">The Origami King</a></strong> was announced just a couple of months later. <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/bug_fables_the_everlasting_sapling">Bug Fables</a></strong> is a superbly polished independent tribute to the first two Paper Mario games – but that’s not to say it doesn’t have its own, strong identity. The sheer familiarity is a little bit wearying at times – seriously, it’s like it’s been traced over in places – but Paper Mario with the serial numbers filed off is still a <em>very</em> good time. There’s plenty to see and do, a rather compulsive card game to play and hidden secrets all over the place. Add all this silky-smooth performance, a splendid soundtrack and turn-based combat that’s never less than engaging and you’ve got a surefire winner here.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/evergate"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/8e0639f266971/evergate-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Evergate (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/evergate"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/678c5399dd6e3/evergate-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Evergate (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>PQube</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Stone Lantern Games</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>18th Aug 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>18th Aug 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/evergate">Evergate</a></strong> is a wonderfully designed puzzle/platformer that starts off strong and goes from strength to strength over the course of its campaign. Every new world you encounter here adds a new twist to proceedings, gradually becoming more complex as it layers mechanics on top of one each other, enabling you to experiment and come up with your own unique ways to bound across its intricate levels. Speed-running here, for us, feels like it was tacked on for no real reason but, besides this one little misstep, this really is an essential purchase for puzzle/platforming fans and a standout example of its genre on Switch.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/08/feature_evergate_developer_takes_us_behind_the_scenes_of_the_upcoming_puzzle-platform_adventure">our interview</a> with Stone Lantern if you’re after more information on the story behind the game.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/to_the_moon"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/3ab2cd2043eec/to-the-moon-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="To The Moon (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/to_the_moon"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/77811ede754b2/to-the-moon-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="To The Moon (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>X.D. Network</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Freebird Games</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>16th Jan 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>16th Jan 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/to_the_moon">To The Moon</a></strong> is a powerful interactive story. It’s a short game but it manages to make its players directly confront uncomfortable situations and emotions with which we’ll all struggle at some point in our lives. Mental illness, death, heartbreak, tragedy… it’s all in here, and handled honestly within a brilliant narrative setup that allows us to watch a lifetime deconstructed, layer by layer, revealing the very human mistakes and unavoidable interruptions of fate that shape how our lives ultimately turn out. All in a matter of four or five hours.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/wunderling"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/7917459dc67f9/wunderling-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Wunderling (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/wunderling"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/820816d378242/wunderling-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Wunderling (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Retroid Interactive</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Retroid Interactive</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>5th Mar 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>5th Mar 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p>By removing the basic ability to turn direction whilst walking, <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/wunderling">Wunderling</a></strong> proves itself to be an incredibly addictive ‘Goomba-sim’ platformer that boasts excellent level design, brilliant writing, and adorable visuals. Its impressive accessibility means that almost anyone can pick it up, but it simultaneously remains challenging enough to keep you engaged for hours.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/12/feature_what_is_a_wunderling_developer_retroid_on_its_upcoming_2d_goomba_sim">our interview</a> with developer Retroid for more details on this cute little platformer.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/stories_untold"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/d6d93b389d308/stories-untold-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Stories Untold (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/stories_untold"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/319fa365e6cc1/stories-untold-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Stories Untold (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Devolver Digital</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>No Code</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>16th Jan 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>16th Jan 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/stories_untold">Stories Untold</a></strong> is a chilling adventure that manages to draw us right into its world through the ingenious use of its UI and perfectly realised lo-fi aesthetic. Through the walls of old technology and complicated machinery, it creates a uniquely strong bond between player and narrative, giving you a real sense of place within its world as it slowly corrupts and twists from the comfortingly familiar to something else entirely. It’s one of the best interactive horror stories we’ve ever played and a perfect fit for enjoying alone in the dark on Switch.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/good_job"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/27d8ee9b8e94c/good-job-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Good Job! (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/good_job"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/710163a339027/good-job-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Good Job! (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Nintendo</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Paladin Studios</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>26th Mar 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>26th Mar 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/good_job">Good Job!</a></strong> Is a wonderful surprise that <em>everyone</em> should try out. Thanks to its hilarious physics, seemingly menial tasks have the potential to descend into utter carnage – whether intentional or not – and its grading system means there are plenty of opportunities to replay. Slight technical hiccups aside, Good Job! is <em>absolutely</em> guaranteed to have you in fits of laughter.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/in_other_waters"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/371237a02d624/in-other-waters-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="In Other Waters (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/in_other_waters"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/14dbb1411cebc/in-other-waters-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="In Other Waters (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Fellow Traveller</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Jump Over The Age</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>3rd Apr 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>3rd Apr 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p>A very pleasant surprise indeed, <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/in_other_waters">In Other Waters</a></strong> is a bit of a minimalist masterpiece that you’ll often want to dip into for a more contemplative experience than the majority of the Switch’s library. It has found a perfect home on the handheld, the form factor of which massively works in the favour of the game’s mood and atmosphere to create an exceptional and unique experience. What you’re getting here is a story that you’re an integral part of, and it’s one of the coolest, cleverest games we’ve played in a long time. An absolutely first-class effort.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/lonely_mountains_downhill"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/b9927b891aa5f/lonely-mountains-downhill-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Lonely Mountains: Downhill (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/lonely_mountains_downhill"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/5c1b2b93a09af/lonely-mountains-downhill-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Lonely Mountains: Downhill (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Thunderful</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Megagon</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>7th May 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>7th May 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p>An exquisite bike racer-cum-trials game with tight controls, varied courses, and uniquely zen-like presentation. At once calming and demanding, <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/lonely_mountains_downhill">Lonely Mountains: Downhill</a></strong> looks and feels like no other game on the eShop. Barring one or two disappointing technical issues, it’s an absolute freewheeling delight.</p>
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<div class="list-hero" data-subject="games/switch-eshop/afterparty"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/95c1d76e2761c/afterparty-artwork.900x250.jpg" width="900" height="250" alt="Afterparty (Switch eShop)"><a class="cover" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/afterparty"><img src="https://images.nintendolife.com/9aee91ba6ee9c/afterparty-cover.cover_small.jpg" alt="Afterparty (Switch eShop)"></a></p>
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<p><span>Publisher: </span><strong>Night School Studio</strong> / <span>Developer: </span><strong>Night School Studio</strong></p>
<div class="release"><span>Release Date: </span><strong>3rd Mar 2020 (<abbr title="United States / North America">USA</abbr>)</strong> / <strong>3rd Mar 2020 (<abbr title="UK / European">UK/EU</abbr>)</strong></div>
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<p><strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/afterparty">Afterparty</a></strong> is certainly an acquired taste, but—like a fine wine or a good beer—it’s definitely worth the effort. From beginning to end, Night School’s follow up to <strong><a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/oxenfree">Oxenfree</a></strong> is a thoroughly enjoyable narrative experience that draws you into a hellish world that you (ironically) won’t want to leave. Branching paths and a smartly implemented drink system add plenty of options for replayability, and though the performance leaves something to be desired, Afterparty proves itself to be a visual treat. We’d give Afterparty a high recommendation to anyone looking for a good story to immerse themselves in; this is one that goes down <em>real</em> smooth.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/03/feature_oxenfree_developer_on_mixing_up_demons_drinks_and_drama_in_afterparty">our interview</a> with Sean Krankel from Night School for some behind-the-scenes thoughts.</p>
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https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/2020/12/...s-of-2020/