The Baroque series, a cult favorite in the post-apocalyptic RPG genre created by Japanese developer Sting, is set to receive a fresh wave of international exposure on the Nintendo Switch.
In September 2023, Sting announced "Baroque-Ya," a compilation featuring four entries from the Baroque universe, scheduled to launch on December 18th in Japan.
While anticipation among Western fans quickly grew, questions soon followed regarding potential localization.
This week, it was quietly confirmed—first reported by Gosokkyu—that two out of the four titles in the Baroque-Ya collection are officially headed to the West, albeit not the ones most long-time fans may have hoped for.
Whereas the original dungeon crawler "Baroque Original Version" and the prequel visual novel "Baroque Syndrome" remain, for now, Japan-only exclusives, both "Baroque Shooting: Reversed" and "Baroque ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive" will release in Western markets via the Nintendo Switch eShop on December 17th, 2023. "Baroque Shooting: Reversed" is a contemporary reimagining of Sting’s 2000 shoot 'em up.
Set within the Neuro Tower—a recurring, enigmatic fixture in the Baroque universe—players must battle through waves of enemies using acquired items to reach a formidable final boss.
The Nintendo Switch edition debuts with several enhanced features including an overhauled status display, Great Heat Gallery, customizable title wallpapers, an integrated continue system, and new background music tracks, offering both newcomers and returning fans a revitalized gameplay experience.
The game will be priced at $14.99 on the eShop. Meanwhile, "Baroque ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive" invites players to assume the role of Grue, a minor adversary from the series' lore.
Navigating the perilous Neuro Tower, players must demonstrate agility and quick thinking to progress, encountering other recognizable characters such as Moon and Kato along the way.
The game provides multiple unlockable variations of Grue and two primary modes: Original Mode, which focuses on mistake-free runs, and the newly added Countdown Mode, where players hustle to traverse as far as possible within 60 seconds.
Additional enhancements include a new camera perspective (Another View), refined user interface, and instant restart capability, creating a more accessible and engaging experience.
"Baroque ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive" will launch at a budget-friendly price of $4.99. Sting’s selection to localize these two titles is pragmatic; both games feature significantly less in-game text than their RPG and visual novel counterparts, making them more feasible candidates for Western release.
While there has been no official announcement regarding a broader English localization of "Baroque Original Version" or "Baroque Syndrome," dedicated series fans remain hopeful for future updates. The impending arrival of "Baroque Shooting: Reversed" and "Baroque ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive" signals a renewed effort to introduce the Baroque series’ unique aesthetic and gameplay to Nintendo Switch owners worldwide, further demonstrating Sting’s commitment to serving its international audience through the eShop.
As December approaches, long-time followers and curious newcomers alike will have the chance to explore these intriguing offshoots from Baroque’s rich, dystopian world.
In September 2023, Sting announced "Baroque-Ya," a compilation featuring four entries from the Baroque universe, scheduled to launch on December 18th in Japan.
While anticipation among Western fans quickly grew, questions soon followed regarding potential localization.
This week, it was quietly confirmed—first reported by Gosokkyu—that two out of the four titles in the Baroque-Ya collection are officially headed to the West, albeit not the ones most long-time fans may have hoped for.
Whereas the original dungeon crawler "Baroque Original Version" and the prequel visual novel "Baroque Syndrome" remain, for now, Japan-only exclusives, both "Baroque Shooting: Reversed" and "Baroque ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive" will release in Western markets via the Nintendo Switch eShop on December 17th, 2023. "Baroque Shooting: Reversed" is a contemporary reimagining of Sting’s 2000 shoot 'em up.
Set within the Neuro Tower—a recurring, enigmatic fixture in the Baroque universe—players must battle through waves of enemies using acquired items to reach a formidable final boss.
The Nintendo Switch edition debuts with several enhanced features including an overhauled status display, Great Heat Gallery, customizable title wallpapers, an integrated continue system, and new background music tracks, offering both newcomers and returning fans a revitalized gameplay experience.
The game will be priced at $14.99 on the eShop. Meanwhile, "Baroque ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive" invites players to assume the role of Grue, a minor adversary from the series' lore.
Navigating the perilous Neuro Tower, players must demonstrate agility and quick thinking to progress, encountering other recognizable characters such as Moon and Kato along the way.
The game provides multiple unlockable variations of Grue and two primary modes: Original Mode, which focuses on mistake-free runs, and the newly added Countdown Mode, where players hustle to traverse as far as possible within 60 seconds.
Additional enhancements include a new camera perspective (Another View), refined user interface, and instant restart capability, creating a more accessible and engaging experience.
"Baroque ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive" will launch at a budget-friendly price of $4.99. Sting’s selection to localize these two titles is pragmatic; both games feature significantly less in-game text than their RPG and visual novel counterparts, making them more feasible candidates for Western release.
While there has been no official announcement regarding a broader English localization of "Baroque Original Version" or "Baroque Syndrome," dedicated series fans remain hopeful for future updates. The impending arrival of "Baroque Shooting: Reversed" and "Baroque ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive" signals a renewed effort to introduce the Baroque series’ unique aesthetic and gameplay to Nintendo Switch owners worldwide, further demonstrating Sting’s commitment to serving its international audience through the eShop.
As December approaches, long-time followers and curious newcomers alike will have the chance to explore these intriguing offshoots from Baroque’s rich, dystopian world.
