Beyond hosting Nintendo's own first party titles, the Nintendo Switch has become the destination for off-kilter, quirky video games. Many of these games would have formerly found a home on handhelds such as the Nintendo 3DS or PlayStation Vita. The latter has been a thing of the past for awhile now, but the 3DS has only just now met its end.
Much like with titles from the underperforming Nintendo Wii U, the Switch has received ports of 3DS games that flew under the radar. One game that should definitely get this treatment is Ever Oasis, an action-RPG that launched on the 3DS in 2017. Despite its good reviews, the title went unnoticed for a variety of reasons. With the Switch shining a spotlight on overlooked games, Ever Oasis would be the perfect title to get a second chance.
An Oasis of Adventure
Ever Oasis was a title developed by Grezzo and published by Nintendo. It was directed by Koichi Ishii, who had also created the popular Mana/Seiken Densetsu series of RPGs at Square. The protagonist is Tethu or Tethi, depending on which sex the player chooses. After the main character's brother fall to the forces of Chaos, Tethu/Tethi, a member of the Seedling race, works with the Water Spirit Esna to create the eponymous Oasis. Encountering various different species throughout the adventure, the player must face all manner of monsters and gather resources to turn their Oasis into the perfect place to live.
Gameplay is similar to the aforementioned Mana games, though interspersed with puzzle and simulation elements. You can also recruit some of the different characters that you encounter to join your Oasis permanently, though only three can join your battle party at a time. These new citizens can also build onto the town, making them vital to reach certain achievements. Effectively combining the gameplay of The Legend of Zelda with Animal Crossing, and on a handheld console where similar titles flourish, Ever Oasis had everything going for it. Unfortunately, the game has been all but forgotten, failing to make much of a splash at launch despite good reviews.
A Second Chance on the Switch
Releasing during the summer of 2017, Ever Oasis came out after the Nintendo Switch had already become a sales phenomenon. As a result, gamers were no longer looking toward the Nintendo 3DS for their portable gaming needs. This is especially true for a relatively niche title that wasn't part of an established franchise that had such a cute, kiddie aesthetic. Had it released just a year earlier, Ever Oasis could have easily been a much bigger hit.
Fans of Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, Zelda and Mana would certainly feel at home playing the game, as it combines aspects those beloved titles into one cohesive world. It is also perfect for parents looking for an RPG for younger gamers and adults who don't mind the cutesy look. With tons of world-building potential and several villagers to recruit, the possibilities are endless and ensure that players will never get bored. The Switch is also a bit more mainstream than the 3DS was in its waning years, giving the game a much bigger pool of potential players. It also helps that characters from the game have appeared in some form or fashion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Fortunately, not all hope is lost for Ever Oasis. The Wonderful 101 was a similarly colorful game that released on the Nintendo Wii U to critical, albeit not commercial success. Fan demand, and a successful Kickstarted campaign, led to a remastered edition coming to the Switch, and a similar thing could happen to Ever Oasis. While it lacks some of what makes Animal Crossing such a boon for the system, it certainly wouldn't be forgotten this time around.