Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition (Nintendo Switch) Review

By Luke Hemming 14.09.2022

Review for Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition on Nintendo Switch

The original Blade Runner is a masterpiece of cyberpunk cinema, possibly even inventing the genre and setting in motion a multitude of pretenders to follow. The original game of the movie is seen by many as a masterpiece of point and click, so a port was always going to be welcome. After spending a few hours with Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition however, how can the result be described?

Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition doesn't put the player in the role of Harrison 'Can't pilot in real life' Ford, but rather sensibly focuses on Ray McCoy, investigating a series of replicant related murders. With the approach, the movie remains untarnished while still feeling familiar and retaining the joy of existing in the world that was so greatly built on screen.
Point and click adventures have always been a massive soft spot but usually involve some bizarre, contrived way of working out exactly how to progress (connect hose A to Badger B to make a badger grappling hook; brilliant nonsense like that). What Blade Runner does differently however, is that as a detective, the player is forced to build up profiles of the characters met, link evidence together and pay close attention to any character interactions that take place. It's a refreshing change that really draws a player in and keeps them focused on the task at hand rather than fumbling around aimlessly. The clues are there, as Roy Walker (God rest his soul) would say.
In terms of retaining the magic of the original, there are no complaints whatsoever. As a fan of the genre, it's incredibly easy to get lost in the worlds and fascinated by the twists and turns that the story brings up until completion. Speaking of completionists, multiple endings can be viewed dependent on the choices made. If looking for an RPG, look no further. Possibly though, look at it in another format.

Screenshot for Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition on Nintendo Switch

Quite frankly, and it's still baffling as to why, Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition looks terrible on Nintendo Switch. Blurry backgrounds really pull one out of the experience as well as making the contrast between clickable areas and scenery confusing at times. The clue is in the name and it really does feel that 'enhanced' should benefit, not hinder, the player. A quick browse on the interweb has shown that the GOG version doesn't suffer the same fate and holds up well. For Nintendo Switch owners however it really is swings and roundabouts, ones that they have been used to since the launch of the console. It's a matter of sacrificing pretty graphics for portability. The question remains however, why for a game released in the 90's graphical fidelity is even being an issue.
Enhancements made include borders for the screen for everyone with a fancy new TV, as well as a revamp of the original menu that won't really cause any issues unless one is used to the originals. That's about it really, sadly following in a recent trend of Nintendo Switch ports, it's a quick port over to grab the cash as opposed to a thorough overhaul to really justify the price point, which is even harder to do when knowing that a better looking version can be found elsewhere.

Screenshot for Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition on Nintendo Switch

Cubed3 Rating

7/10
Rated 7 out of 10

Very Good - Bronze Award

Rated 7 out of 10

If gameplay is all that is of importance, Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition remains one of the finest examples outside of a Lucasarts' title, bringing together a great story and interesting mechanics. If you want the whole package however, it may be best to look elsewhere for a definitive version. The Nintendo Switch of course does have that major advantage of gaming on the go and on a smaller screen, it may just look that little bit more appealing.

Developer

Night Dive

Publisher

Night Dive

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  7/10

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  0 (0 Votes)

European release date Out now   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date Out now   

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