Death Howl Brings a Tactical Challenge Worth Tackling to Nintendo Switch (Review)

by

The deckbuilding game Death Howl, known for its compelling story and tough battles, first came out on PC in December 2025. It received a lot of good feedback on Steam, and now it’s available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S. Hearing positive things from PC players, I was eager to try Death Howl on the Nintendo Switch.

Developed by The Outer Zone and published by 11-bit studios, Death Howl is a visually striking game with a unique pixel art style and a dark, atmospheric world. It combines deck-building with tactical, grid-based battles, challenging players to use strategy as they guide Ro through four different spirit realms on a quest to save her son. While the game can sometimes be a bit repetitive, Death Howl offers a compelling mix of strategic gameplay and a moving story, making it a great fit for the Nintendo Switch.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros Cons
Challenging combat that combines deckbuilding and grid-based tactics Progression can feel frustratingly slow at times
Emotionally-driven and engaging narrative Dark colors used in the art style can make it hard to see certain elements
Unique, eye-catching minimalist pixel art style
Console controls feel intuitive and easy to learn

Death Howl Translates Smoothly to Console, Especially Nintendo Switch

There’s just something about pixel art that makes me want to play games on my Switch! That’s why Death Howl feels perfect for the console. The detailed pixel art looks great both on the Switch’s small screen in handheld mode and when played on a TV. My only issue is that the dark colors, though fitting for the game’s style, can sometimes be hard to see on the smaller screen.

Combining exploration, turn-based battles, and collectible cards, it’s natural to worry about how well a game like Death Howl would translate to console. However, the Switch controls felt surprisingly natural and were easy to master. The game doesn’t hold your hand with a lot of tutorials, instead dropping you into the action, but helpful on-screen tips quickly teach you what you need to know.

The game’s simple pixel art and turn-based battles mean it runs smoothly, even on the original Switch. I tested it on the first Switch model, and it’s now also confirmed to work on the newer Switch. Considering the Switch is the least powerful of the platforms Death Howl is available on, I expect players won’t encounter any performance problems.

Death Howl‘s Roguelike Combat Will Test Your Skills (And Occasionally, Your Patience)

Death Howl combines exciting elements from several popular game types. The game immediately immerses you in its story, and you’ll explore a large and growing world to discover new quests that reveal more of the narrative. You play as Ro, who is on a quest to rescue her son from the Spirit World, and along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of unusual creatures – some you’ll fight, and others you’ll assist to gain helpful benefits.

Okay, so I’ve been playing Death Howl, and it’s a really cool mix of deckbuilding and tactical combat on a grid. It’s got those roguelike elements too, where you’re exploring, finding ingredients, and using them to craft new cards to build up your deck. Then you jump into grid-based battles with enemies using those cards. Honestly, the combat is pretty challenging – you really need to think on your feet and change up your strategy constantly. Sometimes it felt a little too hard, though. I definitely hit a few roadblocks where I just couldn’t beat a battle with the cards I had. It could be frustrating, but it always felt super rewarding when I finally crafted the cards I needed and took down those tough enemies.

Despite its $20 price, this game offers a surprisingly large amount of content. While the starting area feels limited, the world quickly expands with new areas for you to discover. Fast travel helps with backtracking for items, but exploring the world of Death Howl still takes a significant amount of time – and it’s generally a rewarding experience. Beyond the main story, you’ll find plenty of optional side quests to complete. Expect to spend at least 25 hours finishing the game, and possibly longer if you find some of the battles challenging.

You can now play Death Howl on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S. It usually costs $19.99, and it’s available right away with Xbox Game Pass. We received a Nintendo Switch code from the game’s publisher for this review.

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/5-forgotten-roguelike-games-that-still-hold-up-today/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-19 16:12