Alter Age Review: JRPG Depths Explored on Nintendo Switch by KEMCO and EXE Games

Alter Age Review: JRPG Depths Explored on Nintendo Switch by KEMCO and EXE Games Alter Age, developed by EXE Games and published by KEMCO, brings a distinctive JRPG experience to the Nintendo Switch, featuring turn-based combat, pixel art aesthetics, and an array of strategic gameplay mechanics.

Released on the Nintendo eShop, Alter Age aims to captivate fans of classic role-playing games while introducing several new systems that set it apart within KEMCO’s production catalog. Set in a sprawling world rendered in crisp pixel art, Alter Age places players in the role of Arga, a determined young protagonist seeking to ascend the ranks of the legendary Bravers.

Driven by a personal story to confront his father—regarded as the world's strongest Braver—Arga’s journey is intertwined with themes of family, legacy, and self-discovery.

Accompanied by party members Elsie and Lillieka, Arga’s quest spans diverse environments, engaging battles, and a variety of in-game activities. One of the game’s most notable innovations is the Soul Alter mechanic.

This unique ability allows Arga to switch between adult and preteen forms at will, directly affecting both himself and his companions.

When Arga is an adult, Elsie and Lillieka remain young; when he becomes a preteen, the girls transform into adults.

This dynamic changes interactions with NPCs, unlocks exclusive side quests, and adds strategic depth to the turn-based combat.

For example, younger characters trade raw attack power for reduced MP costs on spells; successful use of these roles accumulates Brave Hearts, boosting future attacks when returning to adult form.

While innovative, experienced players may find themselves relying less on Soul Alter during standard encounters, especially as characters become stronger through progression. Alter Age leans heavily into growth systems, offering extensive character progression options, weapon and armor synthesis, and an array of collectible strengthening items.

After each battle or successful dungeon crawl, Arga and his party accrue experience and stat enhancements.

The synthesis mechanic enables players to combine old equipment with new finds, making traditional shop upgrades less relevant but providing an accessible way to continually strengthen the party.

This system ensures that, as the narrative progresses, players gain substantial power—sometimes making standard battles less challenging than intended. In addition to core progression, Alter Age includes features such as passive skill mastery through Phantom Stars (earned in battle or via the composter mechanic) and an experimental cooking system, which turns collected ingredients into potent temporary buffs.

While these features add depth, some players may find them overwhelming at first, though their value becomes clearer with extended play. Combat stands as one of the game's strongest pillars.

The turn-based battle system rewards both tactical planning and experimentation with the Soul Alter ability.

A Rush Gauge fills during combat, allowing players to execute powerful group attacks when full.

Auto-battle and adjustable encounter rates make grinding for experience more convenient, further streamlining the gameplay for both newcomers and seasoned RPG fans. Despite its mechanical strengths, Alter Age’s narrative and character development have proven less engaging for some players.

While Arga emerges as a compelling lead, the supporting characters’ dialogue can feel repetitive, and the stakes are relatively muted compared to more dramatic RPGs.

Dungeons, while visually appealing, follow similar layouts and puzzle structures, making exploration feel familiar rather than innovative.

The soundtrack, however, stands out as a highlight, enriching the gameplay experience. Alter Age is available on the Nintendo Switch eShop, continuing KEMCO’s legacy of accessible, content-rich JRPGs suited for both mobile and console gamers.

For those seeking a robust turn-based combat system with abundant customization and progression, Alter Age offers notable replay value—especially when experimenting with higher difficulty settings. In summary, Alter Age delivers an ambitious package with standout gameplay mechanics and smooth Switch performance.

While some choices may overwhelm or underwhelm—depending on player preference—RPG fans will find plenty to explore and enjoy, further cementing EXE Games and KEMCO as reliable contributors to the modern JRPG landscape.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo JRPG Switch KEMCO Alter Age EXE Games Arga Elsie Lillieka Soul Alter