Rise Eterna 2 Review: A Tactical Triumph on Nintendo Switch

Rise Eterna 2, the latest tactical RPG developed by indie studio Studios Arch SRL, has arrived on the Nintendo Switch, bringing significant improvements over its 2021 predecessor.

Designed as a spiritual homage to classic Fire Emblem titles, Rise Eterna 2 refines turn-based combat, character development, and overall player experience, making it a compelling addition to the eShop’s lineup of strategy games. First released in June 2024, Rise Eterna 2 builds upon the foundation of the original game, which received mixed reviews, particularly regarding its abrupt ending and interface issues.

This sequel addresses many of those concerns while introducing a fresh narrative.

Players command Jacht, an Athracian soldier grappling with his kingdom's decline.

Accompanied by his friend Celia and a mercenary team, Jacht navigates a morally complex campaign across 24 engaging levels. The narrative, rich with ambiguity and intrigue, propels the player through brisk, turn-based battles that will delight fans of Fire Emblem and similar franchises.

Studios Arch SRL has continued to innovate beyond mere imitation.

While the grid-based combat remains familiar, Rise Eterna 2 does away with the traditional weapon triangle and weapon degradation systems.

Instead, it employs a flexible gem-based customization system.

By collecting and equipping gems throughout the campaign, players can enhance characters with critical bonuses, health boosts, or additional defense.

This system promotes strategic planning without locking players into permanent choices, offering an accessible yet thoughtful layer of depth. Character progression also sees marked improvements.

Skill points can be allocated via a straightforward skill tree, requiring consideration as some abilities are only accessible through specific upgrade paths.

Decisions become meaningful, as paths taken can’t be reversed, adding more gravity to each choice. Resource management and exploration remain essential as items for crafting potions and enhancements are scattered across battle maps.

The inclusion of the loyal canine companion Armond adds both utility and charm, sniffing out hidden traps and ensuring safer passage for your units. Despite these improvements, some legacy issues persist.

The interface still requires players to hover over enemies to check their attack range, which can lead to tactical missteps – a point of contention among tactical RPG purists.

Inventory management also remains cumbersome, with vital information about character loadouts only accessible through multiple menu layers. Visually, Rise Eterna 2 charms with its blend of detailed character artwork and lovingly crafted battle maps, reminiscent of the Game Boy Advance and DS era of tactical RPGs.

While central characters receive high-quality portraits, generic foes remain pixelated, causing a slight mismatch in presentation.

The game’s soundtrack, a sweeping, symphonic score, sets the grand tone for battles, albeit with some repetitiveness over the course of the campaign. With its concise 24-level campaign, Rise Eterna 2 favors brisk, no-nonsense combat and story progression.

Priced at $19.99 on the Nintendo eShop—and, as of this writing, discounted to $6.79—it offers substantial value for strategy enthusiasts.

The sequel successfully tells a compelling story filled with tactical nuance, even if it remains on the easier side compared to its inspirations. Rise Eterna 2 proves itself as a worthy turn-based adventure on Nintendo Switch.

Its improvements in gameplay and storytelling make it a standout choice for fans awaiting the next wave of Fire Emblem updates on Nintendo platforms.

While some interface shortcomings linger, the game’s engaging battles, character progression, and accessible customization firmly establish Studios Arch SRL’s place among modern strategy developers.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Rise Rise Eterna 2 RPG Rise Eterna Studios Arch SRL Fire Emblem