Review of the Silent Hope Switch: I can't even
Our Verdict
Silent Hope brings classic isometric JRPG dungeon crawling into the modern age with its adorable characters, slick combat, and heartfelt narrative about protecting the people we love. The seven protagonists and hundreds of potential load-outs offer endless ways to play and replay this magical story.
as becoming more active in the gaming community, I've been seeking for a chance to play a JRPG as I didn't play any as a child. That's just what Marvelous's Silent Hope offers, as I was drawn in by the plot and, more especially, the way the characters are drawn. I knew I had to play this game as soon as I fell in love with the farmer character.
This is a perfect example of how sometimes you might discover your new passion by judging a book by its cover. I haven't stopped thinking about Silent Hope since I first picked it up. I want to spend every free minute I have with my crazy group of intrepid explorers, pushing further into the abyss. I really connect with every aspect of this game, including the playstyles and character designs, combat, and hub environment. I don't often find that in a game.
A few centuries have passed since the king stole his people's speech during a period of turmoil and fled into the abyss, leaving only his daughter, the princess, to grieve for him. This is the setting for Silent Hope. She sobbed so much that she covered herself in a crystal teardrop at the opening to the abyss. As you assume the roles of seven distinct heroes, you are lured to the princess's tears and set out on a mission to free her from jail and bring her back to her father.
When I start playing JRPGs and other comparable genres, my biggest worry is the intricate world-building and exposition that they have. Fortunately for me, Silent Hope's main plot is easy to understand while remaining engaging. I'm naturally curious as to why a monarch would want to take the speech of his people, and the princess is so amiable and optimistic that I can't resist wanting to assist her. As you go through each level, the princess gradually shares her narrative with you rather than overwhelming you with all the details at once. After every boss battle, you even get a little scene from the king's point of view, which really helps to humanize him and makes me feel much more sympathy for him.
The levels itself include updated visuals and cute chibi character models, drawing inspiration from vintage isometric dungeon crawlers. Instead of using true procedural creation, they seem to cycle between a set of pre-made maps, even if each run contains unique levels. This indicates that they are semi-randomly created. Even if I am familiar with a certain map's layout, I still find it interesting. It's really consoling since I know where to go for important stuff.
Every level has a different theme based on a different season, and the designs are breathtaking as you descend farther into the abyss and go more into the king and princess's memories of their realm. The second level, which has a harvest festival motif, is my favorite. I fell head over heels for it right away since I like autumn colors. The ambient narrative combined with the floor's rapid speed creates a very immersive experience.
One advantage of having seven protagonists is that you may take various approaches to leveling up since they each represent a distinct class. I've experimented with every class up to this point, with the exception of the wanderer, simply because I don't see the purpose in playing as a generic blonde-haired sword dude when I can be a cute lolita farmer with a pitchfork or a renegade housemaid? Due to their distinct weaponry and abilities, each class plays quite differently, yet they are all very enjoyable to pilot. I have been mostly using the farmer, first due to her design but now primarily due to her speed, range, and special summon attacks; however, the warrior with the claymore has really carried me lately.
As far as I can tell, if you make care to customize your builds for each level, you can absolutely finish this game with only one class. Alternatively, you might follow my strategy and slightly level up every class to get more options in the latter stages of the game. Though rogues aren't usually my thing, there's something about Silent Hope's rogue maid that truly appeals to me. Maybe her extreme quickness and shadow step, which is useful for someone like me who isn't the best at evading since you can go right past opponents.
Character constructions are also highly customisable, even down to how your three primary talents are mapped to your buttons. Although you may choose the slot for every new class skill you acquire, your basic attack will always be assigned to A. Each category has a vast variety of unique weapons that you may manufacture from "memories" lost by opponents or discovered in chests. The same weapon is available in a range of rankings and rarities, and it may be leveled up at the forge. Without even getting into rings, earrings, and magistones, there are a ton of choices available in Silent Hope for creating a personalized loadout!
It took me some time to learn about magistones, but basically, certain accessories and weapons have a place for them. During your travels, you'll come across objects like voidstone, flamestone, and earthstone. These may be added to your gear to alter the sort of elemental damage or defense you provide. Although they aren't very important at the beginning of the game, I found them to be very helpful when it came to conquering the second level, since it suggests employing lightning assaults.
The hub world you return to after completing a dungeon run is called Silent Hope's base camp, and it includes the forge I previously stated. When you're off exploring the abyss, each protagonist plays a part in the base camp, assisting you in crafting supplies and tending to crops. The gameplay cycle is rather satisfying: after a journey, you return, gather your creations, plant more crops, ask for additional resources, enhance your equipment, and then go again. Speaking with the princess here will also let you to change classes, get mission prizes, and evaluate memories associated with strange weapons. As a hero gains experience, they may unlock two more classes, and you can combine abilities from all three to customize your build to fit your playstyle or the circumstances.
Not being the greatest at chaining combos, I usually don't like challenges, but Silent Hope has a lot to offer if that's also the case for you. More over half of each floor's levels provide extra challenges, such reaching the gate without using a healing potion or taking down a certain amount of foes before exiting. These challenges are great since they motivate me to change up my gaming and reward skillful or cautious play. Although they're not that difficult, I can see them growing very rapidly in the long run.
Additionally, there are menacing black portals called memory rifts strewn across the levels that lead to areas of higher danger and higher rewards. They were certainly demanding but not impossible, and the rewards made the tension worth it! I've only tried them out a few times since I don't think you have to make things difficult to have fun!
In case it wasn't evident, I believe Silent Hope is a very good game. The fighting is diverse and entertaining, the plot is endearing and captivating, and every tiny aspect seems to be precisely tailored to what makes videogames pleasurable for me. Despite my lack of expertise with JRPGs, I can tell that this one isn't doing anything especially innovative for the genre, but for an aspiring adventurer like myself who appreciates heartfelt storytelling and gratifying fighting, it's almost ideal.
Our evaluation of the Silent Hope Switch is now complete. For more immersive fantasy experiences, check out our lists of the best best JRPGs and best Switch RPGs. If you want to take your fighting talents elsewhere, check out our list of the greatest dungeon crawler games.