Welcome to our review of Nefarious, the game where you play as the villain! Out now on Nintendo Switch.
Tired of playing the hero? Nefarious is a 2D action platformer where you get to be the villain! Step into the wily shoes of Crow, an evil genius on an epic quest to steal princesses for his royalty-powered death ray – the world-conquering Doom Howitzer.
Wreak havoc across five different kingdoms! Stomp on heroes in iconic battles recreated with you as the boss! Unleash your inner megalomaniac!
Nefarious caught me off guard big time, it looks like a Megaman clone where you are the bad guy and all you do is kidnap the princess. Sure, that sounded fun, why not right? Wrong, this game is actually supported by a very strong story and a very varied gameplay. Allow me to explain.
As it is not my habit to spoil too much of the storylines, I am not changing that policy. Just know Nefarious will make you laugh more than once. In one kingdom, the princess was so strong, she just overpowers Crow and he ends up kidnapping the prince instead. That is just one funny anecdote among many. The main premise never changes but is mixed around often enough not to become repetitive.
Now, about the actual gameplay. There are several mechanics being used in this glorious game! For the most part, you are playing a Megaman style platformer and that is where the sole comparison to the Megaman franchise happens, everything else sets it apart as its own game, I guess the graphics will make you compare it to the franchise, but it is really doing it wrongly, Nefarious is Nefarious.
Nefarious is a game where you run through the levels and in the end grab the princess and escape to your own badass flying fortress. It sounds easy, but there is a certain level of challenge as the levels, though profusely provided savepoints are present, are not short at all. Most levels I played took 10 to 20 minutes easily.
The weapons you have at your control are the main attraction here. At first, you basically just have a weak small punch, use your second thumbstick to point to where you want to punch and try to avoid incoming missiles, bullets, enemies and so much more. Jump on platforms, break cars and be sure to collect that money they drop, you will need it so bad!
In between levels, you are at your home base, a flying fortress, which needs its resources too. So at one point, you are in a submarine and diving in the great sea to find a big treasure. Swerving through obstacles and avoiding sea creatures that want to eat you! With your energy meter on the screen, you can see how much damage you can still take. My advice, treat this long level carefully and you will be smoothly advancing to the next. If not… good luck!
In that same home base, you also have the chance to buy your upgrades. Boy, do you need them to advance! From more health to better weapons to even one that allows you to jump on the smoke trail it leaves. Use these to cross long pits or to climb to that one place where you can find one of the collectibles, Nefarious does have quite the variety in style here.
I can not sing its praise loud enough, Nefarious is both fun and with the necessary variety in gameplay, it is more than just run from left to right, it brings the whole package to the Nintendo Switch. Very few negative points exist, the artwork is glorious, the soundtrack even better. In one level, all you hear is this glorious music and in the middle of the level you find out that all they are singing, is the name of the princess, that is so crazy and yet, it is so perfect.
In conclusion, Nefarious is glorious and plays great. Great animations and a fun storyline, what do you need more? Go buy it!
