Maliki: Poison of the Past Review – A Unique But Flawed RPG Experience on Nintendo Switch

Maliki: Poison of the Past marks an ambitious entry into the Nintendo Switch RPG library, offering players a blend of turn-based combat, time-bending mechanics, and robust town management elements.

Developed as an adaptation of the long-standing French webcomic 'Maliki', this title attempts to carve a niche in the ever-expanding realm of cozy yet tactical adventures available via the eShop. The game sets players in the magical land of Domaine, home to the legendary Thousand-Root Tree, where they must manage resources, explore diverse environments, and battle an array of poisoned adversaries.

While the marketing promises a cozy mix of strategic gameplay and charming world-building, the execution presents a more complex—and at times contradictory—experience. Maliki: Poison of the Past primarily positions itself as an RPG, and its turn-based combat system is arguably its most engaging feature.

These sequences showcase expressive animation and allow players to swap between a cast of characters, each with their own unique abilities and tactical uses.

However, progression is frequently disrupted by dialogue-heavy cutscenes, hampering pacing and impacting immersion.

As one might observe, these interludes, albeit visually expressive, dampen the story's momentum and sometimes distance players from the game's central characters—aside from Maliki herself, who remains at the heart of the narrative. Town management, another central mechanic, asks players to cultivate vegetables, discover new regions, and perform tasks such as clearing grass or breaking rocks.

While these activities echo the popular genre of life simulation games on Nintendo Switch, they occasionally feel tacked on rather than fully integrated.

Players might note that these segments pull focus away from the core RPG mechanics, potentially diluting the overall experience. The game's narrative has its strengths, especially through its inventive approach to time-travel.

The poisoned anomaly affects not only the landscape but also the fabric of time itself, ushering players between locales such as an '80s farm, a '90s school, and even the Louvre in the early 2000s.

Enemy varieties are notable, ranging from animals and people to inanimate objects corrupted by the titular poison.

These set pieces are accented by a witty script and environmental puzzles, providing memorable moments amid the longer campaign. However, Maliki: Poison of the Past is marred by persistent technical issues.

Players have reported frequent freezes and game crashes, often necessitating a full Nintendo Switch reset.

Certain mechanics are introduced abruptly without sufficient explanation, and the lack of a navigational map can render exploration needlessly confusing.

Glitches concerning character abilities further complicate gameplay, with prompts appearing unpredictably and potentially leading to frustration during puzzle segments. Despite its rough edges, the game's soundtrack emerges as a highlight.

With a diverse and lengthy track list, Maliki: Poison of the Past's musical score is evocative, with some tunes drawing positive comparisons to hallmark scores from series like The Legend of Zelda.

Adjustable sound settings allow for a tailored audio experience to suit player preferences. Ultimately, Maliki: Poison of the Past is a creative but uneven entry in the Nintendo Switch RPG catalog, with a final score of 6.5 out of 10.

Its inventive gameplay and atmospheric soundtrack are too often overshadowed by bugs, pacing issues, and a lack of polish.

While it may appeal to fans familiar with the original webcomic or those seeking experimental RPGs on the eShop, players should be prepared for a mix of imaginative ideas and irritating shortcomings.

Developers have crafted a game rich in ambition, but the title would greatly benefit from post-launch support and patches to reach its full potential.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Maliki: Poison of the Past eShop