The End is Nigh on Nintendo Switch: Edmund McMillen’s Puzzle-Platformer Delivers a Challenging Masterpiece
In the ever-expanding library of the Nintendo Switch eShop, punishing yet rewarding platformers have found a devoted player base.
Titles like Slime-san and VVVVVV have captured fans of high-difficulty, tight control platforming.
Among these, The End is Nigh stands out as an essential addition, earning its place as an acclaimed work from renowned indie developer Edmund McMillen, the visionary behind Super Meat Boy.
Developed in partnership with Nicalis and released for Nintendo Switch, The End is Nigh offers players a dark, meticulously crafted world paired with devilishly precise platforming. Launched on Nintendo Switch in December 2017 after its initial success on PC, The End is Nigh quickly established itself as a must-play for genre aficionados.
The game follows Ash, a resilient blob and survivor of the apocalypse, as he embarks on a solitary quest for companionship through desolate ruins and imaginative landscapes.
The opening premise is earnest yet humorous: Ash's only connection to the old world—a favorite video game cartridge—breaks, prompting his journey across a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world fraught with hazards.
This sets the tone for countless death-defying attempts and gives the game its trademark dark humor. The End is Nigh’s visual presentation is notable for its silhouetted art direction interspersed with vivid backgrounds and smooth animations.
Every environment, from crumbling cityscapes to lava-filled chasms and haunted airships, is packed with visual personality.
This detailed level design demonstrates the care and dedication poured into the Switch adaptation, delivering a crisp, cartoony aesthetic that enhances the relentless gameplay. Crucial to the game’s atmosphere is its unique soundtrack, produced by Ridiculon.
The score weaves remixed classical compositions—ranging from 8-bit inspired Beethoven to heavy metal interpretations of Tchaikovsky—into the action, setting a mood that oscillates between playful and foreboding.
Highlights such as the Hungarian Rhapsody and Danse Macabre reflect the title’s spectral yet energetic tone. Mechanically, The End is Nigh draws clear inspiration from Super Meat Boy while establishing its own identity.
Both games challenge players with tight controls and demanding level design, but The End is Nigh emphasizes calculated, precision platforming over the sheer momentum and wall-jumping of its predecessor.
Ash’s moveset, though more limited, requires pixel-perfect timing as players navigate single-screen challenges filled with traps, hazards, and collectibles.
Death is a frequent companion, but instant respawns keep the action fast and the frustration at bay. The structure of The End is Nigh encourages exploration.
Unlike Super Meat Boy’s stage select format, levels are interconnected, forming an overworld reminiscent of Metroidvania design.
Branching paths, hidden items, and special cartridges unlock retro-inspired bonus stages, offering veteran players a gauntlet of increased difficulty and significant replay value.
Each stage is thoughtfully designed to reward problem-solving, careful exploration, and mastery over controls, distinguishing The End is Nigh from standard platformers and elevating it as a highlight of the indie scene on the Switch. At the 2017 Game Awards, The End is Nigh received a nomination in the "Worst Cure for People With Heart Conditions" category, a tongue-in-cheek nod to its pulse-pounding difficulty.
The game has garnered praise for its balanced challenge, innovative level design, and distinctive style.
Edmund McMillen and Nicalis have crafted a title that successfully builds upon the success of Super Meat Boy, while innovating with new mechanics, a connected overworld, and a memorable musical score. For players seeking an expertly designed, meticulously challenging adventure on Nintendo Switch, The End is Nigh is an unmissable experience.
Its combination of rewarding gameplay, hidden secrets, and bold artistic direction ensure that it remains a standout platformer—one that demands attention and rewards perseverance.
Whether you’ve conquered Super Meat Boy or are searching for your next platforming obsession, The End is Nigh is an indispensable addition to your Switch library.
Titles like Slime-san and VVVVVV have captured fans of high-difficulty, tight control platforming.
Among these, The End is Nigh stands out as an essential addition, earning its place as an acclaimed work from renowned indie developer Edmund McMillen, the visionary behind Super Meat Boy.
Developed in partnership with Nicalis and released for Nintendo Switch, The End is Nigh offers players a dark, meticulously crafted world paired with devilishly precise platforming. Launched on Nintendo Switch in December 2017 after its initial success on PC, The End is Nigh quickly established itself as a must-play for genre aficionados.
The game follows Ash, a resilient blob and survivor of the apocalypse, as he embarks on a solitary quest for companionship through desolate ruins and imaginative landscapes.
The opening premise is earnest yet humorous: Ash's only connection to the old world—a favorite video game cartridge—breaks, prompting his journey across a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world fraught with hazards.
This sets the tone for countless death-defying attempts and gives the game its trademark dark humor. The End is Nigh’s visual presentation is notable for its silhouetted art direction interspersed with vivid backgrounds and smooth animations.
Every environment, from crumbling cityscapes to lava-filled chasms and haunted airships, is packed with visual personality.
This detailed level design demonstrates the care and dedication poured into the Switch adaptation, delivering a crisp, cartoony aesthetic that enhances the relentless gameplay. Crucial to the game’s atmosphere is its unique soundtrack, produced by Ridiculon.
The score weaves remixed classical compositions—ranging from 8-bit inspired Beethoven to heavy metal interpretations of Tchaikovsky—into the action, setting a mood that oscillates between playful and foreboding.
Highlights such as the Hungarian Rhapsody and Danse Macabre reflect the title’s spectral yet energetic tone. Mechanically, The End is Nigh draws clear inspiration from Super Meat Boy while establishing its own identity.
Both games challenge players with tight controls and demanding level design, but The End is Nigh emphasizes calculated, precision platforming over the sheer momentum and wall-jumping of its predecessor.
Ash’s moveset, though more limited, requires pixel-perfect timing as players navigate single-screen challenges filled with traps, hazards, and collectibles.
Death is a frequent companion, but instant respawns keep the action fast and the frustration at bay. The structure of The End is Nigh encourages exploration.
Unlike Super Meat Boy’s stage select format, levels are interconnected, forming an overworld reminiscent of Metroidvania design.
Branching paths, hidden items, and special cartridges unlock retro-inspired bonus stages, offering veteran players a gauntlet of increased difficulty and significant replay value.
Each stage is thoughtfully designed to reward problem-solving, careful exploration, and mastery over controls, distinguishing The End is Nigh from standard platformers and elevating it as a highlight of the indie scene on the Switch. At the 2017 Game Awards, The End is Nigh received a nomination in the "Worst Cure for People With Heart Conditions" category, a tongue-in-cheek nod to its pulse-pounding difficulty.
The game has garnered praise for its balanced challenge, innovative level design, and distinctive style.
Edmund McMillen and Nicalis have crafted a title that successfully builds upon the success of Super Meat Boy, while innovating with new mechanics, a connected overworld, and a memorable musical score. For players seeking an expertly designed, meticulously challenging adventure on Nintendo Switch, The End is Nigh is an unmissable experience.
Its combination of rewarding gameplay, hidden secrets, and bold artistic direction ensure that it remains a standout platformer—one that demands attention and rewards perseverance.
Whether you’ve conquered Super Meat Boy or are searching for your next platforming obsession, The End is Nigh is an indispensable addition to your Switch library.
