Topic: Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for NSW1/NSW2

Reposting this in new thread to get some discussion going on this incredible upcoming game.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is looking peak. And, the OG Switch version actually runs very smoothly, unlike Rune Factory 5. It has some notable texture pop-in when in the main village due to how open it is but, if that's the price to pay for smooth performance I say well done. The last game was ruined by performance issues. This one looks to be very much playable even on the original Switch.

The Switch 2 version, however, is going to be flawless. Thats the way to go. But if you're not getting a Switch 2 at launch, know that this game is not a repeat of the last entry with regard to performance. They've clearly learned their lesson and designed this ground up to ensure it plays smoothly.

New gameplay thanks to Marvelous providing the game early to this person:

I’m getting Switch version because CE. However I will consider buying the Switch 2 version if the performance is bad.

This and the Bravely Default remaster are the only Switch 2 games I'm getting at launch. Guardians of Azuma is also the first Rune Factory game I'm gonna play. I was interested in Rune Factory 5 before its release, because it was gonna be the first one in the series to include gay romance options, but then all the reviews said it performed badly on the Switch, plus the graphics looked pretty bland in general, so I decided to skip it.

But based on the previews this game looks gorgeous, and the Switch 2 should be able to run it without issues, and I get to play a queer character, so I preordered it right away. Looking forward to playing Guardians of Azuma as my first Switch 2 game.

@Polvasti
Performance was such a disappointment with Rune Factory 5. I was so excited for that game, too. Then it released and I didn't even want to play it. It was so bad, I didn't even get the Steam version when it released later. Even with the performance being brute forced the graphical quality was horrid. I suppose I could try running it overclocked on Switch OLED outputting docked image in handheld mode and see how it looks, but eh. I'd rather just play Guardians of Azuma.

Probably will purchase a physical Switch 2 copy on general principle. Support one of the few publishers who are going with a proper physical release. Well, in the west at least. Not sure why Marvelous opted a game-key card release for Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion in Japan, but whatever.

@Magician Not sure why Marvelous opted a game-key card release for Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion in Japan, but whatever.
This would be something everyone wants to know as well. Still waiting for why they don't specifically say Switch 2 games only work on Switch 2 console and will not fit or work on Switch 2. It can't be that hard for them clarify this.

Will this game be somewhat similar to Harvestella?

I’m a classic Harvest Moon player who loved the SNES and N64 originals, Friends of Mineral Town, and then dropped off. Stardew Valley is awesome but somewhat overwhelming with everything you can do.

I’m thinking these games are probably pretty massive, too?

That's a fair comparison.

Rune Factory tends to lean more towards combat rather than the farm-sim aspect.

I'll wait for reviews after how RF5 turned out, but if it's as good as I hope it is, it'll be one of my first third party purchases on Switch 2.

Art style is visually striking. Setting is neat, and helps to distinguish it from other games in the series. Performance will hopefully be really good (some pop in on Switch 1, but c'mon, it's Switch 1!). Don't have to play as a girl to romance some eligible bachelors anymore. It's looking incredibly promising.

@rallydefault
Ya, except way better. Harvestella didn't even have a dodge button. This game's combat is extremely similar to Zelda Breath of the Wild. Even lets you dodge at the right time for slow motion with a prompt for a "flurry rush". From the footage it seems the gameplay is also way less rigid.

But ya, Magician said it best- its more combat and action focused.

I'm trying to decide if better framerate and resolution is worth the cost of the upgrade, or if I should just play the Switch version.

@Taya If there is a upgrade it will be for Switch 2 console and that should be good but I don't recall if there was upgrade for that? I did preorder both versions Switch 1 and Switch 2.

Here's the Nintendo eShop for the NA upgrade listing.
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/rune-factory-guard...

UK upgrade.
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-2-Editio...

@Jester676 I'm wondering if I should play it on Switch or pay the extra $10-$20 or whatever the Switch 2 upgrade costs just for "better resolution and framerate" or is there something I'm not understanding?

@Taya Depends do you want the CE for Switch 1 console or not? They made it hard for those that wanted the CE. I know they could've just repackage and remove the Switch 1 game and put the Switch 2 box into the CE and call it good. But they are just Greedy for wanting consumer to double dip. This is really scummy of them to do this. They just repackage Switch 2 game into the CE? How hard is that? From what I can find the Switch 2 edition runs better and graphics are better.

Oh my gosh this game really is taking inspiration from Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, in more than just the combat...

I have this pre-ordered and paid for be ause it looks good, seems like a game that will keep me occupied for a long time and I want third party games that come on proper full carts to do well.

I'm glad to see other people feel this way

@Jester676 I don’t consider it “scummy” just unfortunate timing. The CE and thus the carts for the switch version were likely ordered and pressed well before Marvelous found out the release date for switch2.

They probably ordered a smaller printing (to increase once the switch version runs out) of switch 2 carts so that they could make the launch. Game keycard allows them to have more time to actually produce the switch 2 optimizations instead of being stuck with pushing out a press asap (plus the cost). Edit: I posted this half asleep so this is wrong. Had I been coherent what I actually would have said was they likely split off some of the already pressed switched carts to go into switch 2 boxes and will tack on the upgrade (likely as a code in the box since the price difference is the upgrade price). They wouldn’t be able to do that with already packed CE boxes.

Edit again: They are making switch 2 carts but again it isn’t feasible and is at cost to take existing carts out and replace them. At best they can use preorders to send codes for the update if they were willing to eat the cost.

Do I want to buy the game twice? No. But I want the CE more than I want to save money. And the CEs for these games have their following and sell out quickly (also lower print run).

@Ryu_Niiyama Don't recall seeing this as a "Key-Card" game on anything printing they had.

@Jester676 you are correct. I conflated all the complaints I have been seeing about game key cards and forgot this is an upgrade path game. But it actually further proves my point. They printed the switch carts already, found out about the launch and the scrambled to put switch 1 carts into the new package. Then produced the switch 2 update which they can do without making new carts. I am willing to bet the upgrade files aren’t on the cart and is instead a code in the box for the upgrade files only (hence the price increase as that is the upgrade price). I posted that while half asleep. Will edit.

Still sounds like timing. It would have cost marvelous more to print switch 2 only carts especially when they already printed switch carts. And they likely would have missed launch or only had limited stores selling them. They will likely switch to switch 2 only carts after the print run is exhausted.
Editing again: apparently it is a switch 2 cart so i don’t understand the complaint. Makes no sense or logistics to replace all runs with switch 2 carts and that update cost money to make/test. So it’s gotta be passed to the customer.

@Ryu_Niiyama
It's confirmed to be all on a 64GB cart. The upgrade files are stored on a separate partition only Switch 2 can access. No download required per Marvelous. This is how it also plays the NSW1 version if inserted into a Switch, because the Switch doesn't recognize that separate partition with the Switch 2 data.

Not to say I disagree with your general point, but I did want to clarify.