It's fair to say Nintendo Switch has had a mixed bag of ports in the last 10 months - mostly good ones, but the occasional stinker has bound to creep in over time. RiME, the chilled platforming puzzle adventure from Tequila Works, was one such unfortunate example and it seemed like hope for the Switch version might be lost with the developer admitting in an AMA back in November that concessions had to be made to get the game running on Nintendo's hardware:
"When looking at the handheld mode, we had to make a choice between lowering the resolution, removing/replacing major parts of the level geometry, or having a bigger hit in performance. We decided to go for the former, because it allows us to maintain the integrity of the gameplay experience. All the important details are still very visible, and we've had no issues playing the game in handheld mode ourselves."
Well, turns out RiME hasn't been abandoned and Tequila Works and Tantalus Media (the developer tasked with porting the game) have been hard at work on a patch. According to a post on Greybox, a patch has been submitted to Nintendo but there could be another roadblock: the sheer size of it.
"Our teams have been working tirelessly to develop a patch that would address some issues that could be resolved through an update. We have QAed the patch and submitted it for approval to Nintendo and are waiting to hear back. The patch is larger than normally permitted, so we may get denied on that basis.. If the patch gets approved we’ll announce what the changes at that time."
Nintendo has a strict limit on patch sizes, so we're crossing our fingers the extenuating circumstances of RiME's current sorry state gives the update a pass. Hopefully such a pass will at least address the heavy drops in framerates that rendered parts of this otherwise charming experience near unplayable. Expect more updates as and when we hear them. In the meantime, here's Alex's frustrated take from the launch version.
Have you played RiME on Switch yet? Or have you held off due to the critical response? We want to hear your thoughts below...
[source greybox.com]
Comments 75
Too late for me. I may give the game a try later but in the time I took to wait on this, other games have grabbed my attention.
Not too late for me. If they can get this running right I'll buy it!
Unless a reprint of physical editions are made with the patch I'll pass or wait for a major eshop sale.
I was really looking forward to this game but the poor performance with the mediocre scores meant I went to other games. If they get it running and if maybe a sale comes around I will get it but with Night in the Woods just around the corner Dead Cells later in the year and endless play on Splatoon 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 it’s going to be a tough sell for me.
If it significantly improves the experience I’ll bite.
If they fixed the major frame rate issues and upped the resolution a little bit in handheld mode, they have certainly gained a purchase from me.
I'd be interested in a discounted, properly patched version of this
That said, I seriously worry about how this development team is being managed – it looks like they can create really great things, but who's making the calls at Tequila Works? And why didn't any of this nonsense happen with their other game on Switch, The Sexy Brutale? I've heard only good things about that one...
Everything I have read about this game and the team behind it just makes it sound like a badly programmed mess with amateurs running the company. That is probably harsh, but that is what I have heard. So why should I trust that a patch from them will be any better?
No
Why would the patch size be restricted?
of course, if it makes the game good i'd get it. They could just go the route of playgrounds and release it as a new edition, free for current owners. That's already been done...
Still finding it hard to decide on getting this game...
I will get it if they fix it for sure.
I had pre-ordered, but cancelled due to the reviews.
Would definitely buy if they fixed it!
I’d rather just buy a good Team Ico game.
They SHOULD Re-Release the Patched version in Physical with Slightly different Front and Back cover to differ with Old version.
Well, another same case with Calvin's Heart Event Glitch from Harvest Moon Tree of Tranquility Wii.
They have an extra few months to work on the game (after it launched on other platforms), those should have ensured a patched game. But they have to wait for bad user feedback to go back in and patch the game.
And given that it had a physical release, make any workaround (like NBA Playground did), much harder to implement if Nintendo reject the oversized patch.
Hope Nintendo will relax it's rule, after all, it didnt want ported games to play inferior to other platforms, it doesn't reflect nicely on the Switch's capability even if its the fault of a lazy game developer.
It should be re-released in fixed form as a physical game, and some sort of exchange/discount programme set up for people who bought the original faulty product. That might encourage game developers to do their jobs properly rather than rush things out safe in the knowledge that they can just patch it later on.
Nintendo should absolutely stick to their 'patch size' rule. I want games released when they're finished, not some half-baked product rushed to meet a marketing schedule.
If RiME is finally finished for Switch, then product recall the faulty version, and release the 'new and improved' version
If the patch brought it up to snuff, I’d still get the game for sure
I’m hoping it can get sorted. This game really intrigued me. I feel bad for the developers. They got a lot of crap for this.
I had actually gotten this game physically last month and ended up deciding the bugs the game had just made the title not worth it for me and ended up picking up Xenoblade Chronicles 2 instead. I've been having a blast with XC2, but I do hope this game gets fixed, even though the damage has most likely already been done.
@Spoony_Tech If you have the Target app, formerly Cartwheel, the game is 50% off in stores, where it currently sells for $40, so $20.
If they really improve it I’ll give it a go. I really wanted to play this game.
Good on them for their hard work. I really wanted to check this one out but the Switch reviews made me turn and run the other way. I'll definately reconsider if this patch fixes it.
Honestly, I would only pick up the Switch version at this point if it was patched and re-released physically. What is the point of owning the cartridge at this point? It's a broken thing.
Was very interested in it back at the start of the Switch's life where there wasn't a whole lot to play, but the delays, high price and poor performance coupled with how they were seemingly okay with releasing it like that has destroyed my interest.
Got other stuff to play now. I'll pass.
Edit: instead of hoping to get approved, they could just re-release the updated version of the game on the E-shop like that NBA Playgrounds Enhanced Edition that was released recently.
They released it as they did, and that in the end is still the version staying on the physical media now isn't it? NOT interested. Issue a recall on existing copies and send out new versions corrected on the card.
I'll buy it if Nintendo would approve the update and if the update actually fix the issues that plague the game unlike Blind Squirrel's 3 failed attempts at WWE 2K18.
I’d consider this if the pitch legitimately fixes the issues though with all the other games out at this point I would definitely wait for a sale too.
It's actually a really good game even with the performance issues... in docked mode. Handheld mode users need to stay far away though.
If the patch doesn't get approved, could they divide the fixes between two different patches?
If they can fix it, I'm still in.
Got the game as Christmas present. For now it is laying on the shelf untouched and awaiting for the patch. During that time I am playing other games.
Was going to get it as it looks brilliant, but after the reviews thought not.
If they can fix it, might get it
Really need to get back to this game, as I had been enjoying it a lot before I got distracted by other games.
Personally, although the bugs were noticeable, I wasn't too bothered by them, so would happily play it in it's current state... but the fact that they are putting the effort in to fix them is certainly reassuring as a lot of developers don't put that much care into ports.
Exactly why you should do the job right in the first place
I still don't get how a game that barely works can be accepted by Nintendo. I know they changed their policy on accepting games on their systems and get as many 3rd party games as they can, but they should keep their quality standards
The reason for not allowing huge patches, is probably exactly to discourage releasing unfinished products. So I don’t think they will let them push a huge update.
It’s crazy that Nintendo announced earlier they have already sold 14.86 million switches! Seriously that’s crazy! I hope all the other botched games get good updates as their games can still sell well if the game is patched right.
It's a pass for me.. why release something that's inherently broken? The game looks great, but with all the issues they've lost me as a customer. Especially as there are so many other great games on the switch.. why would I waste my time on this?
It still looks like a lovely experience on paper, so if they manage to make it feel like one when actually playing it, and re-release it in physical form, I'm still very eager to buy and try it.
What quality standards? Were there ever really any?
@Rhaoulos
“I still don't get how a game that barely works can be accepted by Nintendo. I know they changed their policy on accepting games on their systems and get as many 3rd party games as they can, but they should keep their quality standards”
@Dom
“Nintendo has a strict limit on patch sizes [...]”
Can you list them?
Called it months ago
Not buying unless very heavily discounted. Hey, if management of those companies are happy to rush a game for release and disrespect gamers who forked out money in the process, why should they get that same respect? Same goes for 2K games.
Hope it doesn't get patched. Next time release a finish game. Don't just sit there scoffing pizza and counting money like and overpaid heavily obese manager
They should’ve release a decent game, not an almost-unplayable mess and then start making huge patches.
I got it and played the first hour or so on the tv. It's quite alright in tv mode, but I want to play it mostly in handheld and in that mode it's far from good. The worst I've played on my Switch. So I hope the patch comes through soon so I can play it again and finish it. Because the game itself is good!
I would only buy a physical copy and am really not interested in connecting any of my games consoles online.
It baffles me that Sonic Forces runs perfectly on the Switch (it basically plays like the Xbox One version), let games like Rime and WK2 Wreslting 2017 just suffer from slowdown.
Bad programming from the sounds of it.
@yeayeanaynay the patch will still apply to the physical version. If it irons out a few issues and I can find it cheap I may get physical.
@BornInNorway81 Check out this article: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/01/everything_you_need_to_know_about_nba_playgrounds_complicated_enhanced_edition
Basically the devs had to re-release their patched game under a new title because patching the original release would've made the file size too big for Ninty's liking.
@GlutenFreeGamer Unfortunately, The Sexy Brutale is said to have some serious performance issues too. The studio has such ambitious, cool ideas but I'm looking forward to the day when they have the technical background to back it up.
@Ham-n-jam I wonder why Nintendo cares about patch size?
I would buy Rime for my Switch if I knew for sure the issues were fixed. Hey. That rimed! Get it? Okay it was a forced rhyme but still...
What frustrates me is that some good ol' fashioned QA would prevent a lot of this...too many of these patches, I think.
Hurrah, a gigantic update that clogs up all your memory-space! Of course they could have just coded the game good in the first place!
I have it but have been holding off playing it due to the issues I heard. Glad to hear a patch is coming
Well glad I waited. It is the Free game for February on PS4.
@rjejr I would jump on that but I don't have any confidence they will get it to work. They're welcome to prove me wrong though.
It's starting to sound like the port wasn't worth the effort to begin with if it has to take all this just to have a stable game. Jeez.
Going to grab it on PS4 instead. I want my physical copy to be relevant after the patch is no longer available for download.
PlayStation Plus members get this game for free in Feb., so I’ll just try it there.
It’s simply too late for a Switch purchase at this point.
@Spoony_Tech If you have a PS4 Rime is part of PS+ for February.
https://www.dualshockers.com/playstation-plus-games-february-2018-revealed-knack-rime-lead-pack/
Sony really likes doing stuff like that, I think both Yooka-Laylee and DQ Builders went on sale the week they released on Switch. I'm looking forward to a 50% off YS 8 sale on PS4 this summer when it finally releases on Switch. My only allegiance is to my wife's wallet.
Well, I plan to buy the game this week anyway. At Target (in US) the game on Switch is only 29.98, and they also have a 50% coupon with their Catwheel app. That’s basically $15 for this game!!! That’s a deal in my book (only until February 4).
Not going to try rime until fixed. Buggy games are awful
What boggles my brain-bumps is that you can have games like Zelda and Doom running just fine on the Switch. How did this turn out so bad!?!
I hope they get their patch through and more importantly that it actually fixes the game. If it does I'll pick it up because it looks like something I would enjoy if it was functional.
looks like slideshow ,,,btw RIME is free on PS4 in February.
If they release the patch, I may wait for analysis on how it improves something before I buy it, because on how is it now, it is a hard pass. A shame, since it was a good idea on paper.
@singingbrakeman I'm thinking it might have something to do with the Switch having such a small storage capacity, and games having auto-update features? I'd imagine that some people would get pretty upset if 90% of their memory was taken up by an auto update patch for a game.
Hm. Colour me skeptic. Although if this makes the game worth playing, I might get it! Also, I assume there must be some good reason they couldn't split up the big patch into 2 or more smaller ones?
@yeayeanaynay ah ok I see what you mean now. Yes you have a good point.
Ah well, was pretty hype about the Switch version of RiME but the constant delays and releasing a bugged port, made me turn away from that Version. Will look forward to the PS4 version of RiME as it is currently in the Plus selection of monthly free games.
If the patch helps the game become what it was meant to be, I implore Nintendo to allow it to pass. I'd love yo play it in a good state on Switch
I would only buy this if it runs well in both docked & handheld. They would also have to recall the crudy physical copies and replace them with proper ones; a physical game needs to run standalone so that in 5+ years when you can't download the patches it can still be played reasonable well.
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