The World Ends With You: Final Remix Switch Review - "Who is this actually for?"

The World Ends With You is a notoriously difficult game to get your hands on. The original DS version is rare as anything and costs a bomb, and the iOS re-release was essentially unplayable for years.

Square Enix is taking another stab at it though, this time in a way that won't be so hard to get a hold of, with Switch edition The World Ends With You: Final Remix.

It's the same weird and wonderful action-RPG you already know and love, only this time it's got co-op play, multiple control schemes, and a whole new chapter to get stuck into. It's the complete package, but it's not really clear why you'd come back for this edition if you've played it before.

Tokyo drifter

The World Ends With You thrusts you into the shoes of Neku, a young Japanese boy with spiky hair who's caught up in the Reaper's Game taking place in Shibuya.

You're given very little idea what the heck's going on to start with, but slowly the pieces start falling into place - and saying anymore would be spoiling a wonderful, bizarre story that will keep you engaged for many hours.

The World Ends With You Final Remix Switch Screenshot Neku Shiki Combat

The game is cut up into distinct chapters, with each one offering up a mission that asks you to talk with NPCs, kill baddies called Noise, and generally do the usual RPG shtick.

What you may not be so used to is the combat system, which revolves around equipping pins, following local trends, and swiping the screen like your life depends on it.

Up close and personal

Play The World Ends With You in handheld mode on Switch and you're basically experiencing the iOS version of the game - moves are activated with different kinds of swipes and taps, and you can summon in your partner to deal additional damage and pull off automatic combos.

You can build up a sync meter with your partner by alternating attacks on the same enemies, allowing you to use a huge special attack that damages everyone in the area.

Pins also gain buffs and debuffs depending on local in-game trends, so you need to make sure you're rocking up to a fight with the right stuff equipped to avoid getting your face smashed into the ground repeatedly.

The World Ends With You Final Remix Switch Screenshot Summoning Noise

It's a smart combat system which makes you think about your equipment beyond the usual "what has the highest stat points", though it must be said that some of the inputs can be a bit fiddly, and you may find yourself using up attack turns on the wrong space when you were trying to just move around or something.

Still, the touchscreen interface is far better than using the Joy-Cons, especially on the smaller screen. Your controller simply becomes a pointer, mimicing the actions of your finger on the screen, but it feels even clumsier than the touchscreen controls.

It's the only way to play co-op, however, so if you want a friend to join in (in a limited capacity in combat, of course), you'll have to make use of the Joy-Cons. It's kind of a lose-lose situation.

(Shi)boo-yah

Which raises the question - who is this actually for? If you really wanted to play The World Ends With You, you could just as easily get it on iOS now that it actually works. It's infinitely cheaper, and it's the exact same game, but with a slightly lower resolution.

The only bonus is a shiny new chapter to play through once you've finished the game, but even that will only appeal to the hardcore fans of the original release - and is that really enough to sell folks a full-size game?

All these gripes aside, when played on a touchscreen, The World Ends With You is a truly wonderful JRPG. For first-timers, this is a chance to finally see what everyone's been talking about over the years, and enjoy the gorgeous artwork, intriguing story, and bizarre combat system.

If you've been down to Shibuya before though, it's unclear why you should return. A new chapter is all well and good, but it's only the truly hardcore fans who will want to stump up full price for that small offering.

The World Ends With You: Final Remix Switch Review - "Who is this actually for?"

The World Ends With You is a wonderful game, but this Final Remix doesn't quite to it justice
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Ric Cowley
Ric Cowley
Ric was somehow the Editor of Pocket Gamer, having started out as an intern in 2015. He hopes to take over the world the same way.