Cradle Games' Hellpoint is heading to the Nintendo Switch this month. The action RPG already has a loyal following for its Soulslike gameplay, and it could fill a void for fans of Nintendo's best-selling hybrid console.
Even though the Nintendo Switch has a port of the original Dark Souls, Soulslike games are largely underrepresented on the console. Now that Hellpoint is being ported over, here's everything we know about the game ahead of its big Switch release.
Hellpoint Story
Hellpoint is a cosmic horror/sci-fi story, reminiscent of Event Horizon and Dead Space. It's set on the Irid Novo Space Station, which was "a pinnacle of human achievement" before it was corrupted by evil cosmic gods.
Players control an "organically printed" agent of an A.I. called the Author. The Author tasks players with discovering the secret behind the Merge, which is the event that brought demonic forces to Irid Novo.
Hellpoint Gameplay
Beyond the difficulty inherent in the Soulslike sub-genre, Hellpoint puts horror/sci-fi twists on attributes like souls and bonfires. Hellpoint does stand out from the Souls games in some notable ways. Like Sekiro, it adds a vertical element to the genre with a jumping mechanic. It encourages exploration with multiple routes through the map. It also offers co-op, including a split screen mode and PvP modes.
Hellpoint's setting also affects its gameplay. Irid Novo orbits around a black hole, so the station's position in relation to the black hole affects the strength of the enemies players face, making the atmospheric space station more than just window dressing.
Physical Edition & Digital Availability
Hellpoint is receiving a physical release for Nintendo Switch via distributor Merge Games and publisher tinyBuild Games. It can be pre-ordered online at retailers like Best Buy and GameStop. Physical copies for the Switch and PS4 will be available Feb. 26. Although it isn't expected to fly off the shelves, its smaller run of physical cartridges means players may want to reserve one to guarantee their copy.
Hellpoint also has a special edition, which can only be purchased through online retailer Signature Edition. The Signature Edition version of the game offers collectibles like an art book, soundtrack and enamel pins. It also has a certificate of authenticity.
The game will be available on the Nintendo eShop Feb. 25. It's not currently available for pre-order or pre-loading on Nintendo's digital storefront.
Hellpoint on Other Platforms
Hellpoint is currently available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Mac and Linux. Ports to the PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X are due later this year, with free upgrades for owners of the last-gen versions of the game.
It has mixed or average reviews on those platforms according to Metacritic. The Gamer praised its setting, but criticized its lack of polish and originality. It is worth noting their review is of the PC version, and PC has a glut of Soulslike games to choose from. Someone who primarily games on the Switch might have a different response.
How Hellpoint on Switch Compares
Hellpoint suffered from significant bugs and performance issues on PC and last-gen consoles, including a jittery frame rate. It's hard to believe the Switch version will run better, either docked or in handheld mode. Until reviews are available, it's impossible to tell how well the game ports to Switch. However, a recent gameplay trailer does let players get a sneak peek.
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