RPGs and Roguelikes shine in November
2023 is wrapping up, which means the holiday season is just around the corner. November has seen the release of some great eShop titles, and we can’t wait to share our top picks with you. If you’re on the hunt for some hidden gem games, then you’re in the right place.
Honourable Mentions
This month, we saw a lot of great Roguelikes and RPGs hit the eShop, along with a new Football Manager game and a unique bath house sim. All of the games we’ll mention here received at least a 7/10 from us, so you know they’re worth considering.
Thirsty Suitors
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive / Developer: Outerloop
Release Date: 2nd Nov 2023 (USA) / 2nd Nov 2023 (UK/EU)
Thirsty Suitors is an ambitious turn-based adventure RPG published by Annapurna Interactive. The game’s blend of skateboarding, QTEs, and cooking minigames might seem chaotic, but it all comes together in an audacious style with a heartfelt narrative and relatable characters. We believe that Thirsty Suitors features “one of the best stories we’ve seen all year”. With its focus on heartbreak, identity, family, and relationships, this game stands out in a league of its own. We scored it a 7/10 here at Nintendo Life. Publisher: Annapurna Interactive / Developer: OuterloopRelease Date: 2nd Nov 2023 (USA) / 2nd Nov 2023 (UK/EU)
Worldless
Publisher: Coatsink Software / Developer: Noname Studios
Release Date: 21st Nov 2023 (USA) / 21st Nov 2023 (UK/EU)
Worldless takes the familiar Metroidvania genre and adds a unique twist with its turn-based combat. This game offers smooth platforming and movement alongside RPG-style combat that adds a fresh angle to the beloved indie genre. With a few difficulty spikes and some similarities to Hollow Knight, Worldless still sets itself apart with engaging combat mechanics. This one earned an 8/10 in our Nintendo Life review.
Astral Ascent
Publisher: MP2 Games / Developer: Hibernian Workshop
Release Date: 14th Nov 2023 (USA) / 14th Nov 2023 (UK/EU)
Unexpectedly captivating, Astral Ascent combines gorgeous visuals with satisfying gameplay. With polished combat, fun boss encounters, and unique playstyles for all four characters, this combat roguelike is a real standout. In our review, we gave it a solid 9/10.
Nintendo eShop Selects – October 2023 What was your favourite eShop game of November 2023? (93 votes) 9 Years of Shadows (Switch eShop)5%ASTLIBRA Revision (Switch eShop)9%Astral Ascent (Switch eShop)27%Football Manager 2024 Touch (Switch eShop)6%In Stars and Time (Switch eShop)5%Spirittea (Switch eShop)6%Thirsty Suitors (Switch eShop)3%Worldless (Switch eShop)6%Something else (comment below)31%
How we decide our eShop Selects top three:
Our staff votes on their top eShop game releases for the month, based on a list selected by our editorial team. To qualify, games must be digital-only Nintendo Switch eShop releases and have been reviewed by Nintendo Life. Staff vote for their top three, assigning 3 points to their favorite, 2 points to their second favorite, and 1 point to their third. The votes are then tallied to create a top-three list, with the highest-scoring game taking the top prize for that month.
Originally published by Alana Laman in 2023.
RPG lover first and Nintendo fan second, Alana is often found overthinking battle strategies, characters, and stories. Fortunately, she’s also easily pleased by anything Yoshi-related, creepy-but-cute Pokémon, and SEGA air pirates.