Overpass was released last week on the Nintendo Switch and as with many multi-format conversions it tends to be released a week or two after the PS4 and Xbox conversions, this leaving little in the way of time for previews or preparation of content. Often with no time from previews at all, hence it goes straight to a brief first look and maybe a review if there is enough interest. So, with that in mind I’ve gone straight to the tutorial on our first look gameplay and played through that with the console in handheld mode. Generally, I’ll play my Switch 95% of the time in this way, and it also showcases the system with some perspective that this is a handheld format and so any impression should always take that into account.
First impressions on this conversion, I feel that the general approach to direct conversions is wrong, the frame rate should always aim for 60fps with far lower texture detail highlighting fluidity. The reduced lighting makes it difficult to see the level geometry, the lack of analogue controls on the triggers is missed and the stick analogue doesn’t replace that. Mud and water effects have been greatly reduced and the physics do seem slightly more tied back, but that could also be an effect of the reduced feeling from play. Suffice to say it loses a lot of the limited fluidity of the PC conversion. I’ll be sure to play this more to continue my impressions but in the meantime, you can see my initial play on the video above.