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Review of Baroque on Nintendo Switch

by Max Rathon Max Rathon photo Nov 2020
Cover image of Baroque on Switch
Gamefings Score: 6.5
Platform: Switch Switch logo
Released: 12 Nov 2020
Genre: Roguelike, Role-playing
Developer: Sting Entertainment
Publisher: Sting Entertainment

Introduction

Welcome to the wonderfully weird world of *Baroque*! This game is not your typical trip through the epic realms of heroic fantasy. Instead, it drops you into the twisted and post-apocalyptic Neuro Tower, like that one time your aunt took you to a basement filled with creepy dolls. Originally released all the way back in 1998 for the Sega Saturn, this roguelike RPG has been brought back from the depths of nostalgia, and now it's climbing its way onto the Nintendo Switch like a determined cockroach. But is it worth your time, or are you better off playing something less likely to make your head hurt?

Gameplay

*Baroque* has one foot firmly planted in the roguelike genre, which means dying often is part of the curriculum. Our mute protagonist, suffering from the classic case of amnesia (because apparently that's how you market a character in a game), finds themselves crawling through randomly generated floors filled with grotesque monsters and existential dread. After each death, instead of a game over screen, you're sent back to your hometown where new dialogue and areas become available. It's like a really bad sitcom where you keep getting reset after a cliffhanger. Gameplay mechanics revolve around equipment management and the strategic use of items, much like trying to make a meal out of whatever is left in your fridge. You've got limited inventory space-so good luck deciphering what's actually useful and what's just fancy-looking junk! The double-gauge health system adds an extra layer of complexity, draining your vitality at a pace that makes you feel like you've just run a marathon in an oven. But fear not! You can refill these gauges by consuming various forms of meat because we all know that cannibalism is just one way to get back on your feet-metaphorically speaking, of course. With adjustable difficulty levels and a choice between first and third-person perspectives, there's a twisted learning curve that will either draw you in deeper or make you throw your Switch at the wall, possibly striking a questionable Picasso painting in the process.

Graphics

Graphically, *Baroque* embraces a style that can only be described as 'quirky'-a euphemism for 'can we unsee this?' The visuals are reminiscent of late '90s polygonal designs mixed with grotesque character art that really drives home the 'what-the-heck-is-happening' vibe throughout your journey through the Neuro Tower. The original first-person perspective made exploration feel claustrophobic, while the remake upgrades you into a third-person perspective. It's an improvement, but it still feels like navigating through a fever dream where the art team was let loose with crayons and a box of bizarre ideas.

Conclusion

In conclusion, *Baroque* on the Nintendo Switch is the gaming equivalent of a cult classic film that your friends raved about but you just don't get-no matter how hard you try. It's challenging, weird, and definitely not for everyone, but for those who enjoy the thrill of navigating chaos, it might just be the right kind of twisted experience. Just keep a bucket nearby for when the narrative twists and turns leave you feeling queasy-because this game is as deep as it is dark. And remember, don't forget to eat your meat or you'll just end up back in your hometown trying to remember where you left your skills. A solid 6.5 out of 10; not bad for a game that feels like a bad trip through surreal art and torment!

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