Since the golden age of the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita, dungeon RPGs (DRPGs) have held a special place among dedicated genre fans.
When those beloved handhelds faded from the spotlight, the Nintendo Switch emerged as a worthy successor, offering a new platform for first-person dungeon crawlers.
NIS America and developer Experience have played a key role in keeping the DRPG tradition alive, most notably with titles such as Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk.
Their recent double pack for the Nintendo Switch—Saviors of Sapphire Wings & Stranger of Sword City Revisited—continues this legacy, delivering a substantial offering for enthusiasts and genre veterans alike. Released as a packaged collection on March 16, 2021, Saviors of Sapphire Wings & Stranger of Sword City Revisited brings together two notable games from Experience, a developer highly regarded in the DRPG space.
Saviors of Sapphire Wings is a modern remake of a lesser-known older title from Experience, now made accessible to a Western audience with English localization for the first time.
Stranger of Sword City Revisited, meanwhile, is an updated version of one of Experience’s most acclaimed works, featuring additional content and refined mechanics tailored for its release on Switch. Initial impressions of the collection reveal two games of varying impact.
Both titles present challenging, traditional dungeon exploration and turn-based combat mechanics, but one stands out for its distinct personality and execution.
While Saviors of Sapphire Wings offers a serviceable entry point with its straightforward fantasy narrative, where players assume the role of a hero reincarnated to gather a team and defeat a land-threatening Overlord, it leans heavily on tried-and-true tropes.
The game emphasizes forming bonds with a cast of premade party members called squires, encouraging players to cultivate relationships through dialogue choices that influence "Soul Ranks" and gain experience bonuses.
This integration of narrative and gameplay is a highlight, yet some players may find the character development formulaic and less engaging than expected. Stranger of Sword City Revisited distinguishes itself with a more engaging setting and atmospheric storytelling.
The premise thrusts players into a harrowing fantasy world following a plane crash, where they must join a guild of Strangers and navigate survival.
The game features a unique blend of dark fantasy aesthetics and horror-inspired creature designs, complemented by occasional voice acting that adds depth to its unsettling world.
Its gameplay is replete with complex mechanics and extensive party customization, offering both opportunity and challenge; less experienced players may be daunted, but genre enthusiasts will likely appreciate the intricacies.
This Revisited version includes three new classes, improved localization, balancing adjustments, and a new Beginner mode aimed at making the experience more approachable to newcomers. Both Saviors of Sapphire Wings and Stranger of Sword City Revisited share similar dungeon-crawling and progression systems, yet Stranger of Sword City Revisited consistently delivers a richer experience—from its visually immersive dungeons to finely tuned combat UI and standout musical score.
Its gameplay depth and art direction reflect the dedication of the developers, resulting in a DRPG that welcomes veteran players who seek a demanding adventure packed with meaningful strategy. In summary, Saviors of Sapphire Wings & Stranger of Sword City Revisited for Nintendo Switch is a commendable addition to the eShop’s growing library of classic-minded DRPGs.
While Saviors of Sapphire Wings may not push creative boundaries, it remains a competent offering.
However, it is Stranger of Sword City Revisited that shines, thanks to its inspired setting and refined gameplay.
Players already passionate about dungeon RPGs will find much to appreciate in this collection.
Newcomers may prefer more accessible series, but for those who relish challenge and depth, this double pack by NIS America and Experience is a solid choice—an offering that upholds the genre’s traditions on the Nintendo Switch.
When those beloved handhelds faded from the spotlight, the Nintendo Switch emerged as a worthy successor, offering a new platform for first-person dungeon crawlers.
NIS America and developer Experience have played a key role in keeping the DRPG tradition alive, most notably with titles such as Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk.
Their recent double pack for the Nintendo Switch—Saviors of Sapphire Wings & Stranger of Sword City Revisited—continues this legacy, delivering a substantial offering for enthusiasts and genre veterans alike. Released as a packaged collection on March 16, 2021, Saviors of Sapphire Wings & Stranger of Sword City Revisited brings together two notable games from Experience, a developer highly regarded in the DRPG space.
Saviors of Sapphire Wings is a modern remake of a lesser-known older title from Experience, now made accessible to a Western audience with English localization for the first time.
Stranger of Sword City Revisited, meanwhile, is an updated version of one of Experience’s most acclaimed works, featuring additional content and refined mechanics tailored for its release on Switch. Initial impressions of the collection reveal two games of varying impact.
Both titles present challenging, traditional dungeon exploration and turn-based combat mechanics, but one stands out for its distinct personality and execution.
While Saviors of Sapphire Wings offers a serviceable entry point with its straightforward fantasy narrative, where players assume the role of a hero reincarnated to gather a team and defeat a land-threatening Overlord, it leans heavily on tried-and-true tropes.
The game emphasizes forming bonds with a cast of premade party members called squires, encouraging players to cultivate relationships through dialogue choices that influence "Soul Ranks" and gain experience bonuses.
This integration of narrative and gameplay is a highlight, yet some players may find the character development formulaic and less engaging than expected. Stranger of Sword City Revisited distinguishes itself with a more engaging setting and atmospheric storytelling.
The premise thrusts players into a harrowing fantasy world following a plane crash, where they must join a guild of Strangers and navigate survival.
The game features a unique blend of dark fantasy aesthetics and horror-inspired creature designs, complemented by occasional voice acting that adds depth to its unsettling world.
Its gameplay is replete with complex mechanics and extensive party customization, offering both opportunity and challenge; less experienced players may be daunted, but genre enthusiasts will likely appreciate the intricacies.
This Revisited version includes three new classes, improved localization, balancing adjustments, and a new Beginner mode aimed at making the experience more approachable to newcomers. Both Saviors of Sapphire Wings and Stranger of Sword City Revisited share similar dungeon-crawling and progression systems, yet Stranger of Sword City Revisited consistently delivers a richer experience—from its visually immersive dungeons to finely tuned combat UI and standout musical score.
Its gameplay depth and art direction reflect the dedication of the developers, resulting in a DRPG that welcomes veteran players who seek a demanding adventure packed with meaningful strategy. In summary, Saviors of Sapphire Wings & Stranger of Sword City Revisited for Nintendo Switch is a commendable addition to the eShop’s growing library of classic-minded DRPGs.
While Saviors of Sapphire Wings may not push creative boundaries, it remains a competent offering.
However, it is Stranger of Sword City Revisited that shines, thanks to its inspired setting and refined gameplay.
Players already passionate about dungeon RPGs will find much to appreciate in this collection.
Newcomers may prefer more accessible series, but for those who relish challenge and depth, this double pack by NIS America and Experience is a solid choice—an offering that upholds the genre’s traditions on the Nintendo Switch.
