The gameplay loop, as you can imagine, follows a circle of descending into the Abyss with a combo of the characters, bringing resources back to camp, cooking and crafting items, and then starting the cycle over. The game runs incredibly on the Switch and feels just as good to control. Every time you descend, you are entering a new layout to the Abyss, hence the Roguelike comparison. Different rewards and challenges await, and the trick is knowing how to use your seven characters to their maximum impact.

You can really only progress the game effectively by taking the time to level up all of the characters. With ranged attacks and handheld weapon combat options, you’re going to play a little differently with every character. Light, heavy, and charged attacks diversify how you tackle new enemies and bosses effectively. Taking the time to level everyone up equally is time-consuming and a little grindy. That said, if you’re a fan of these sorts of gameplay loops, I found each character to be fun to play around with.

While the gameplay is repetitive, and, not all as inventive as other roguelikes, the seven-heroes approach is quite fun. You have an array of options every run and you make the most of your rewards by using them strategically. As good as the gameplay feels, this isn’t the best roguelike on the Nintendo Switch. However, if you’ve exhausted the likes of Hades and Dead Cells, I think you’ll want to check out Silent Hope.

I want to give a special shoutout to the art design of this game. With a fairy tale-like setup, the art matches its fantasy storytelling. The coloring storybook art direction looks wonderful and even in its most intense combat moments never drops frames or feels like it’s chugging on the Switch. Great art design goes such a long way in an oversaturated genre, and Silent Hope pleases the eye and hands as you progress through its story.