Review: Robbie Swifthand and the Orb of Mysteries (Nintendo Switch)

Robbie Swifthand and the Orb of Mysteries is an action, adventure, puzzle platformer from Pixel Reign game. Many Nintendo fans love a good platformer, but is this one worth your time? 

You play as Robbie Swifthand, a common thief who wakes up inside what appears to be some kind of temple. He finds a spirit asking him to help save the world. Robbie couldn’t care less about saving the world, he only cares about a reward for saving it. 

The goal of each stage is fairly simple—lookout for spikes, swinging axes, falling objects and so much more. Within each level, players must locate a golden orb and throw it through a golden swirl that unlocks the level exit. Each level contains a hidden room which can be found also by throwing the orb at the walls. Find the right wall and it will change color and open up. Find the wrong wall and the orb will simply bounce off. 

While the developers describe the game as a “hardcore platformer” it does offer up three difficulty settings: not so hard, hard and insanity. Not so hard is more for those who may not have played a platformer in a long time or are new to platforming games. Hard is for the more experienced platformer. Insanity is well suggested for those who have 100% hard mode. The developer does give a fair rage waring. Stages can be hard, but once you complete them there is a decent sense of accomplishment. 

Visually, the game looks decent; graphics are smooth and polished. Attention went into details of the game. For example, Robbie’s eyes follow the traps, and if Robbie dies a ghost is left as a reminder of the trap. One of my favorite things about the game is that the more you die the more beaten up Robbie looks in the level.  

The asking price of $17.99 does seem a bit high considering it’s $5 more when compared to the price on other consoles. Nonetheless, Robbie Swifthand and the Orb of Mysteries, even if it doesn’t steal your love away from your favorite platformer, is still a good game.