By Sow much enjoyment
Edition Evaluated: North American
- review by Jess Elizabeth Reed
When I assessed Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for Switch prior to its debut, I stated that the latest installment was a “must-experience for Rune Factory enthusiasts and would be thoroughly enjoyed by newcomers to the franchise as well”.
Now, having engaged with the game on Switch 2, I can convincingly assert that Guardians of Azuma remains an innovative variation on a cherished series, but there are several enhancements that render this exceptional installment in the Rune Factory series even more appealing on the latest Nintendo console.
For anyone who possesses the game on Switch, you can acquire a $10 upgrade for Switch 2 that incorporates mouse capabilities for seamless building placement and enhanced graphics, which features a resolution increase and improved frame rate, now targeting 60fps and largely maintaining stability.
For comparison’s sake, I played the standard version of the game on the new console for several hours, and it still felt like a minor advancement over previous gameplay, likely due to the improved hardware. The larger display in particular rendered everything more cinematic. If you prefer not to buy the upgrade separately, you’ll still enjoy the game thoroughly without it.
That being said, the Switch 2 Edition enhancements to the experience are decidedly apparent. Everything is a touch crisper and quicker, which I found especially pleasant in more chaotic combat scenarios and as my villages started to expand in scale and intricacy. While I didn’t personally encounter many distracting performance problems when playing the game originally, it feels tailor-made for the more powerful console. The upgrade elevates what was already a well-crafted and stunning gameplay experience to a pristine level.
The sole mechanical distinction is the new mouse functionality, which automatically activates when utilizing the Joy-Con 2 mouse in build mode. When constructing your town, the mouse controls are undeniably beneficial in crafting intriguing town layouts, although it can also be accessed with a standard controller. Consequently, building is slightly more expedient, but I generally engage in either handheld mode or docked mode with a controller and found detaching the Joy-Con 2 solely for building somewhat tedious. I’d describe the mouse mode as a neat addition but not essential for an enriching play experience.
On balance, Guardians of Azuma is an outstanding experience across any platform, with the Switch 2 providing that extra flair of excellence. Those particularly attuned to performance issues will find themselves in better hands with the upgrade, as long as you’re prepared to pay an extra fee for the benefit.
Jess is a writer and game designer located in Chicago. She composes speculative short fiction and cultural commentary concerning media at its intersections and creates small, quirky games with a focus on mechanics as storytelling.