Earthlock

Earthlock right now is very nice port of a game that’s worth your time. If you were let down by some of the other games that try and ape the classic JRPGs, this is one of the better ones to play. While I would love some voice acting or some better character designs, Earthlock is worth your time and the Switch port runs and looks great.

More than anything, it is a joy to exist in Earthlock’s painterly world. This throwback to PlayStation-era JRPGs ranks among the best role-playing experiences that there is to be had on the Nintendo Switch so far. And, while it can be seen that its inspiration has held it back in certain ways, the refreshing approach to turn-based combat and the strategising that underpins it will hopefully help the game to be remembered as a classic in its own right.

An indie adventure with a lush world, fun characters, and enjoyable battles, Earthlock brings the soul of PS1-era JRPGs to the Switch with excellent results. Inconsistent dialogue and notable load times are among its few missteps, but as a package, it captures the appeal of the epoch wonderfully. If you’re looking for a fresh-feeling JRPG that still calls back to the classics, this is a lovely choice.

A beautiful game which features a host of challenging boss battles require tactical thinking, useful characters, and a big world to explore, Earthlock delivers a solid experience which scratches the turn-based RPG itch. Its fourteen hours of game play swells thanks to a ton of side quests, hidden bosses, and lots of things to craft and collect, and is a true indie delight for any fan of the genre.

An indie RPG that follows all the imaginable clichés from the 90's J-RPG (except random encounters). The result isn't bad, but some areas have plenty of room to improve (characters and plot won't hook you up completely). But, if you love the genre, you will be able to explore its world filled with tasks for 25+ hours (enjoyable in portable mode).

Earthlock is a good RPG for the Nintendo Switch catalog that knows how to provide the playability and duration that is expected in this type of genre, but lacks a better construction of the story and its characters, keeping it from the jump that separates a good game from a memorable one.

In a world of fast-paced games with extra gimmicks and money-grabbing tactics, Earthlock is a breath of fresh air. I have a lot of respect for what it is: it is a love letter to a genre that shaped me as a gamer. And for that, I am thankful.

Earthlock isn’t going to do much for JRPG veterans, as it lacks a level of polish and epic storytelling of series like Final Fantasy and Persona. But, for people like me who bounce off of anything even remotely hinting at a random encounter or linear dungeon, Earthlock manages to maintain the feel of a JRPG while adding and tinkering with a formula that’s been codified over literal decades. I couldn’t tell you what on God’s green earth is actually happening in it, but I can definitely tell you it’s worth your time regardless.

A love letter to the PS1-era JRPGs of old, Earthlock: Festival of Magic is perfectly at home on the Nintendo Switch, delivering a by-the-numbers but solid turn-based battler with an engaging underdog story.

Earthlock is a good game, locked behind a lack of polish.

Without its own original or unique hook, Earthlock just feels bland and dated. For a independent developer to be able to carve out a piece of the RPG market dominated by big players like Atlus and Square Enix you need to bring something new and unique to the table and unfortunately this is something that Earthlock doesn’t accomplish.