Last month, we took Shin'en Multimedia's latest Switch release The Touryst for a good spin for review. We came away mightily impressed, partly thanks to the variety and all of the surprises on offer as you explore the game, but also because of its striking visual style and its flawless performance across both docked and handheld modes.
The tech wizards at Digital Foundry have now shared their view on the title, too, going as far as to describe it as "a revelation". The praise comes in response to the game's "ridiculously fast" bootup sequence and its general lack of loading screens; the game only takes up 231MB of storage, with its procedurally-generated assets help to save both time and space.
The kind words continue when talking about the game's frame rate. Digital Foundry says that it "aims to deliver 60 frames per second and it rarely falters", going on to call it "one of the most stable games of the generation and... absolutely on par with the best that Nintendo itself has to offer". You can see all of this spoken about in more detail, and much more besides, in the full video below.
After Fast RMX, a Switch launch title with similarly impressive technical performance, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised. Shin'en Multimedia appears to have got Switch development down to a tee.
Have you been playing The Touryst on Switch? Impressed with what you've seen so far? Let us know in the comments.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 39
As to be expected from Shin'en at this point. Their ability to get the most out of Nintendo's hardware is always impressive.
This game is a master class in performance, I am now 79% done with the game and it runs like a charm. I've never seen a chug in gameplay or anything else. If you're into competitive games and looking for a nice break, this is a great place to unwind!
Until you get to the arcade that is...
I love proper use of procedurally generated graphics, I think it's untapped and it's nice seeing it used properly.
Ugh. Reviews like this really hurt
my wallet.
was thinking of getting this but heard its short(less than 5 hours) with little or no reply value
I skipped over this initially like a fool. Looks amazing. Definitely getting it now.
Am I the only one who thinks "Thomas Magnum on vacation" each time I see the protagonist (not the cover art, but the actual voxel model)? The color scheme of the shirt, the hair and the mustache just scream "Magnum .P.I.", whenever I play this or see it...
I think the game is supposed to evoke a certain 80's feel (I believe I read or heard that somewhere?), so it may not be a coincidence...
Shinen's devs are Assembler Masters, that's why their games are so optimized. You will never see them using Unreal or Unity, they are too good for that.
The Touryst protagonist looks like Mario (blue, red and a moustache) on purpose. This game is like a cheeky indie spin on Mario Odyssey.
Funny how I haven't read one review or comment that properly identifies the almost-perfect Bomb Jack clone the third arcade game actually is.
The game's terrific. I'm thoroughly enjoying my play. Maaaaybe the canoe and drone controls could be tighter?
Yep, it's a masterpiece!
Runs better than Link’s Awakening... shame, Nintendo. You can do better.
@JunkRabbit it's not voxel.
Somebody is going to do a physical release of this game at some point and i wish they would just hurry up. I get a little bored of buying a game digitally and then buying it again a few months later when the physical happens.
Shin'en does some good work. This game will be an impulse buy for me in the future.
I wasn’t planning on buying this just yet but....yeah I am now.
Between this, Alien Isolation, DQ XI S, Sniper Elite 3, Witcher 3, Luigis Mansion 3, Yooka Laylee and GRID Autosport there have been some really impressive Switch releases recently to offset the disappointments (technically speaking) of Links Awakening, Overwatch, and Pokemon.
I love when a company manages to make one rare game 1080p 60fps all of a sudden graphics magically matter. The rest of the time xbox one x and PlayStation cater to graphics who don't care about gameplay.
Be honest. Graphics matter. They make games more immersive and less distracting. We can argue how much but there is a real effect of a game with good graphics. Obviously if gameplay is crap graphics cant save a bad game. But games like Luigi's Mansion, Mario Kart 8, and Smash Bros are better because of the level of detail the graphics allow.
I so wish all of my Nintendo games could run at 1080p 60fps. That doesn't make me less of a Nintendo gameplay fan.
@YANDMAN None of Shin'ens games have released physical versions so I don't expect it to happen here.
@YANDMAN I don't know. I've been waiting for a Fast RMX physical since launch, and that's yet to materialize. Here's hoping!
@Indielink Fast Racing NEO got a physical release on Wii U.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fast-Racing-NEO-Selects-Nintendo/dp/B01KLWO1MY
@sixrings I agree but shoot I mean Spiderman Ps4 and God of War look incredible! I think the bigger thing here is the fact that the game runs that smooth on the switch. With limited hardware compared to those systems Shin'en makes master class performances. It's makes some big name studios look silly.
However, I agree graphics and performance play a huge part in gaming. This game runs much better than Links awakening, however, the frame dips in that game aren't too bad for me. I do have to say though, I felt more immersed in this game than what Link's Awakening did and that could be due to the fact it runs so much smoother.
@jwfurness it came out on wiiu as a physical.
@Indielink yes they have. I own Fast racing in physical format.But that aside you are obviously aware that there are about ten companies making physical games of otherwise digital ones right now.
@YANDMAN
Thanks. I am aware. Though it IS voxel style (as it's reported elsewhere, too). I wrote only "voxel" for the sake of simplicity and because it's not the point I was trying to make with my post anyway...
Funny what tiny details people focus on sometimes - and by doing so completely miss the point.
This game looks so good! It might actually convince me to buy a digital version of a game. For some reason, I have been super partial to physical releases lately.
@JunkRabbit Not really a tiny detail when you are describing the entire games easthetic. other people may have also incorrectly said it is voxel, that also doesn't make it so. These are 3D pixel sprites.
Loving this game but it is very short sadly
@YANDMAN
Still missing the point of my post, I see.
It is in fact not only a tiny detail, but an irrelevant one, if the topic of my post is not about describing the game's aesthetics, but asks a completely different question, and the word (which you're apparently very much attached to personally; please accept my apologies, I meant no disrespect to you OR the word, my good sir! ) is used solely to differentiate between the cover art and the in-game depiction of the protagonist in a simple and efficient manner.
But let me extend my apologies once more for any harm I may have caused you or your feelings or thoughts on artistic expression or anyone's concern for precision in regard to technical terms by my ill choice of words. I am utterly distraught if my apparent absentmindedness irritated you or anybody else in any way and sincerely apologize.
@suikoden it took me about 8 hours and it’s pure quality. Personally I’d rather have 8 hours of Touryst than 20 hours of something of lower quality.
Shin'en once again prove how incredibly talented they are
Great game. But it’s unfair to compare it with LA when it comes to performance.That game is way bigger and it’s graphics are much heavier for the Switch.
But I love the game!!!!
@JunkRabbit On your actual point, I hadn’t connected it with Magnum PI, but now I can’t unsee! I wonder if that was really an inspiration for the devs? Would be so great if the theme was added to the game...
Forgot about the EU only release. So there is hope.
@YANDMAN Ahh you are correct. I forgot about the OG WiiU release. Good call. As for the ten companies who specialize in limited releases of indie games, none of them have touched Shin'ens other two Switch releases so I'm pretty comfortable in buying the digital and not waiting for a theoretical physical game.
And to throw my hat into the "voxel vs 3d pixel" argument, voxel is literally the term for 3d pixel.
I’ve watched this twice
I'm really impressed by this game. Played it at Gamescom and had to buy it on day one. But after two game nights in a row it was over... 100% in under 5 hours. It's very short, but still a brilliant game!
Thought it looked gorgeous. But was not necessarily interested due to a growing backlog that I absolutely need to clear. But a glowing recommendation like this makes it hard to not take the plunge
This game is one of the best of 2019 for Switch. I really wish it were selling more, this is a game I would love a sequel for.
@Indielink yeah you could be right on the none physical release, it's just that Limited run have spat out about fifteen releases this year that were not part of their E3 showcase. The point i make about the graphics/voxel is these characters and graphics were designed as 2D 8-bit pixel sprites and then brought into a 3D environment.
I rarely ever post here, but feel compelled to do so for The Touryst. Bought The Touryst on a whim, and it is completely captivating and utterly charming. Extremely satisfying gameplay loop, perfect mix of exploration, puzzles, action, platforming, etc. Every little detail is perfectly curated and polished and the whole remains greater than the sum of it's parts. I was sure this one was destined to rot in my back log of games I've downloaded but never booted up, but it turned out to be a real gem that is going to end up somewhere in my top 3 games of the year. Do not sleep on this one!!!
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