Forestrike is a new fighting game on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s not your typical fighting game. Instead of rushing in and mashing buttons, it wants you to slow down and think. You play as, well… Yu; a skilled martial artist who has the ability of foresight, letting you test strategies repeatedly before actually attempting them.

The way it works is simple; you can either practice a level as many times as you’d like, or take it on for real. Practicing lets you experiment and find the perfect sequence of moves without dying. It’s a pretty cool concept that makes the combat feel more like a puzzle.

Combat is still challenging, even with the practice option. Most encounters throw multiple enemies at you, each with different behaviors and attacks. Some charge, some hang back and shoot, and some do a little bit of everything. As you progress, you’ll also unlock new techniques and abilities from martial artist masters, and between fights you can pick perks from cards to tweak your strategy. I usually lean offensive, but you can mix and match to find what works best. Getting the timing right and landing combos feels incredibly satisfying once everything clicks.

The cards themselves aren’t part of the fights, they’re rewards you get for completing battles. After clearing a fight, you’re presented with three cards, each granting a new technique or a small, permanent boost. You pick one, and it becomes part of your loadout for the next encounter. But if you fail, you restart and lose everything you gained, so foresight and practice really matter.

Forestrike looks and sounds great for what it is. The stylized visuals are smooth and easy to read. Enemies move clearly, and the animations make fights feel lively. The soundtrack is energetic without being annoying, and the sound effects make every hit feel satisfying. It’s simple and fits the martial arts vibe perfectly.

Overall, Forestrike is a fun and satisfying fighting game. The foresight mechanic makes each encounter feel unique, and the combination of practice, strategy, and careful timing keeps the gameplay rewarding. It can be challenging, but in a good way, and experimenting with moves and cards adds a lot of variety. If you enjoy martial arts, or just want to try something a little different on the Switch, Forestrike is definitely worth checking out.