I have been granted early access to the upcoming Nintendo Switch release of Roadwarden and all opinions here are my own and not influenced by the developer or publisher in any way.
The Game
Roadwarden is a text driven RPG that originally launched on PC in 2022. The game mixes narrative exploration, role playing elements, and decision making in a grounded fantasy world. You step into the role of a newly appointed roadwarden tasked with keeping remote paths safe while navigating fragile alliances and dangerous mysteries.
Performance on Switch
I tested the game on Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility. The OLED makes the artwork stand out thanks to its vivid screen while the Lite is comfortable for portable play. The Switch 2’s added power gives smoother transitions and quicker loading. Menus can feel sluggish on the Lite and in handheld OLED mode but once in the game everything runs fine. On the Switch 2 menus and gameplay are fluid.
Controls and Readability
Controls have been adapted well to button inputs and inventory management feels natural whether docked or handheld. Readability was another concern but the font scales nicely across all screens.
Things to Know
The game does have a slow start and the amount of text can feel overwhelming at first. Not every choice has the same impact and at times the pacing can drag. Still, what makes Roadwarden stand out is the freedom of choice when it matters most and the strong world building that rewards patience.
Final Thoughts
With its move to Switch the game feels well suited for portable sessions. Picking it up for a few minutes on the go or diving in for hours both work equally well.
Roadwarden launches on Nintendo Switch on August 25 2025 with a 20 percent discount running through mid September. For those who are into text driven games this is a very good choice.
★★★½☆ (3.5 out of 5)