Terraria by Re-Logic is one of the most popular games on PC since the past 8 years. The fanbase is still going strong. Regular updates and patches keep people coming back. The game has been released on numerous other devices spanning different generations of hardware. Since every other current console has a version of the game already, the Nintendo Switch is a logical next step.
Dig, Fight, Build
Most of you are probably familiar with what Terraria is about and are just here to find out if the Switch version is any good. I will get to that but for people who never dabbled with Terraria’s rather unique gameplay… here’s a quick rundown of what the game is about. In Terraria you get a randomly generated 2D world in which you can do whatever you want while trying to survive. Use your surroundings to gather supplies and build a home to shelter from enemies. Plan some exploration during the day to gather better supplies.
Use your supplies to craft better materials to expand your home base with. Eventually, you’ll be able to make stronger gear. Stronger gear means you’ll be able to defeat bigger enemies and explore even further. Become strong enough to battle bosses and loot dark caves filled with enemies. It’s like 2D Minecraft with more focus on exploration and battles. Since this is a sandbox game you could potentially never leave your starting area and just build an epic crib and become a hermit. It’s entirely up to you but the game’s “accomplishments” push you more into the direction of exploring.
Take control
The thing is… PC games often don’t translate well on consoles because of the lack of a mouse. Many reviews of previous console ports of Terraria have mentioned the controls to be much slower than on the PC. The combo of buttons and joysticks isn’t that suitable for building epic constructions and supply management. Therefore, most PC gamers won’t Switch (pun intended) over to a console version anytime soon. The Nintendo Switch version might change that sentiment. The Switch has a touchscreen and re-logic re-used their knowledge of the mobile ports to include touchscreen support.
Best of both worlds
Playing Terraria on the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode is the obvious way to go. You’re getting the best of both worlds with the use of comfy buttons in combination with the touchscreen controls. Besides that, you can also take your Terraria adventure with you. In many ways, the Nintendo Switch feels like the perfect hybrid for those who want Terraria available everywhere they go and those who don’t want to compromise on usability.
Conclusion
Terraria on Nintendo Switch plays perfectly smooth. This version is probably the closest of all console version to the 1.4 patched PC version. Re-logic will eventually catch up with future updates. The combination of freedom with the handheld mode engaged and the use of the touchscreen controls makes this the ultimate console version.
