Status:
Complete (Case, cover and cartridge) and Play Tested
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Has-Been Heroes (Nintendo Switch) Review
Gameplay & Mechanics
Has-Been Heroes is a tactical roguelike that blends lane-based combat with turn-based decision-making. You control three heroes defending princesses as they travel across procedurally generated maps. The core mechanic revolves around timing attacks, exploiting enemy stun windows, and chaining elemental spell synergies. When it clicks, the combat feels smart and strategic but the game does a poor job explaining its deeper systems, making the early hours feel punishing and confusing ().
Difficulty ramps up quickly, and RNG plays a heavy role in spell drops and run success. This makes some runs feel brilliant, while others feel unfairly doomed from the start.
Progression & Replay Value
The roguelike loop encourages repeat runs, unlocking new heroes, weapons, and abilities over time. However, progression can feel slow and underpowered, with upgrades offering limited impact compared to the grind required to earn them (). Runs can also become repetitive due to reused environments, enemies, and bosses.
That said, players who enjoy mastering complex systems and experimenting with builds can easily sink dozens of hours into it.
Modes & Features
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Single-player roguelike campaign
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Multiple heroes with unique playstyles
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Spell and elemental synergy system
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Unlockable weapons, abilities, and challenges
There is no multiplayer, and story content is minimal gameplay is the primary focus.
Graphics & Presentation
The art style is colorful and readable, though not visually standout. Enemy designs and environments are functional but repetitive. Performance on Switch is generally solid, though some players report bugs and crashes in longer sessions ().
Sound & Atmosphere
Music and sound effects are serviceable, supporting the fantasy tone without being especially memorable. Audio feedback during combat helps reinforce timing and impact.
Difficulty & Accessibility
This is one of the most challenging and unforgiving roguelikes on the platform. Boss fights in later worlds are especially punishing, often feeling overtuned or unfair (). Combined with unclear tutorials, the barrier to entry is high.
Final Verdict
Has-Been Heroes is a deeply strategic but highly divisive roguelike. It offers rewarding depth for patient, hardcore players, but its steep difficulty curve, RNG reliance, repetitive runs, and lack of clear explanations make it frustrating for many. Its a cult favorite for some and a hard pass for others.
Pros
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Deep tactical combat system
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Satisfying spell and elemental synergies
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Highly replayable for dedicated players
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Portable format suits short runs well
Cons
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Extremely punishing difficulty
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Poor tutorial and unclear mechanics
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Heavy RNG dependence
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Repetitive runs and weak progression
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Occasional technical issues on Switch
Recommendation
Recommended only for hardcore roguelike fans who enjoy trial-and-error mastery and high difficulty. Casual players or those sensitive to grind and RNG should avoid unless its heavily discounted.
