Folk Hero (Nintendo Switch 2) Review

There’s definitely no shortage of roguelites on the Nintendo eShop these days, but Folk Hero stands out thanks to its unusual setting. Instead of drawing from the usual fantasy staples, it dives headfirst into Slavic folklore, filling its world with creatures such as Leshy, Domovoy and Rusalka while sending players on a dangerous journey across the mysterious island of Buyan. The result is an action roguelite that feels refreshingly different, even if some of its ideas are pretty familiar.

At its core, Folk Hero is an action-slasher with roguelite progression. Each run drops you onto a procedurally generated island where you'll battle monsters, collect treasures, discover new weapons and hunt for artefacts that can dramatically alter your build. The ever-changing layouts keep exploration engaging, and the constant search for better equipment gives each venture a satisfying risk-versus-reward loop.

Combat is where the game makes its strongest impression. Inspired by Souls-like design, battles rely on careful timing rather than mindless button mashing. You'll dodge, block, parry and unleash special attacks while trying to avoid being overwhelmed by increasingly dangerous enemies. Every foe requires a slightly different approach, and bosses in particular can be brutal skill checks that punish impatience. It's challenging without feeling unfair, and victories are genuinely rewarding.

The build variety adds another compelling layer. Different character classes, weapons, artefacts and elemental runes can be combined in countless ways, allowing players to tailor each run to their preferred style. Some combinations turn you into an offensive powerhouse, while others focus on survivability or crowd control. Experimenting with new synergies becomes almost as enjoyable as defeating enemies themselves.

One of the game's more entertaining mechanics is its friendly-fire system. Enemies can hurt each other, creating opportunities to manipulate groups and conserve precious health. It's a small feature, but it adds a welcome layer of strategy during chaotic encounters.

Folk Hero adopts a colourful pixel-art style that suits its folkloric inspirations well. The retro presentation may not push the hardware, but the character animations and creature designs give the world plenty of personality. The various biomes, from gloomy swamps to cursed wastelands, provide enough variety to keep repeated runs from feeling visually stale.

The permanent death system won't be for everyone. Losing a hero after a promising run can be frustrating, particularly when a mistake occurs deep into a playthrough. Thankfully, persistent progression allows players to unlock upgrades and improve future heroes, creating a sense of long-term advancement even when individual runs end in failure.

Pros

• Distinctive Slavic folklore setting

• Engaging Souls-like combat

• Strong build variety and progression

• Procedurally generated levels encourage replayability

• Charming pixel-art presentation

Cons

• Difficulty spikes can be punishing

• Permadeath may frustrate casual players

• Roguelite structure can feel repetitive during long sessions

Folk Hero doesn't reinvent the roguelite formula, but it successfully carves out its own identity through its Slavic folklore setting, satisfying combat and flexible build system. The demanding difficulty and permadeath mechanics may put off some players, yet those who enjoy challenging action games with plenty of replayability will find a lot to appreciate here. On Nintendo Switch 2, it's an enjoyable and often rewarding adventure that proves there's still room for fresh ideas within the roguelite genre.

XPN Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (SILVER)

Folk Hero is available now!