Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix Now×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

Sword of the Vagrant Reviews: Is This 2D Action RPG Worth Playing?

Sword of the Vagrant is a hand-painted 2D action RPG with combo combat and progression. Nintendo Life praises its art but reports choppiness in docked Switch play.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Sword of the Vagrant is a single-player, hand-painted 2D action RPG built around combo combat, character progression, crafting and several difficulty settings. The available independent review is for the Switch version: Nintendo Life praises its art and says the combat grows more engaging as moves unlock, but calls the game solid rather than exceptional and reports choppiness in docked play. That makes it a reasonable pick for players drawn to its art and action-RPG loop, with the Switch performance caveat kept in mind.

What is Sword of the Vagrant?

You play as Vivian, a traveling sellsword who follows her missing father’s research while trying to reunite with her family. Her journey unfolds in Mythrilia, a fantasy setting illustrated in a hand-painted style and populated by villages, forests, castles and battlefields. The PC release is titled The Vagrant; console storefronts use Sword of the Vagrant.

The official descriptions characterize it as a 2D action RPG. Combat includes combo chains, charge attacks and special skills, while abilities and equipment provide routes for developing Vivian. The stores also list crafting and enchanting, fast travel, a monster encyclopedia and multiple endings. These are publisher-listed features rather than independently verified content counts.

What do the reviews say about combat, art and challenge?

Combat builds as you unlock moves

Nintendo Life’s Switch mini-review says combat gains momentum as players unlock additional combos and special moves. That points to a progression loop in which the opening combat options expand over time; players looking for immediate complexity should weigh that against the gradual unlocks.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sword of the Vagrant - (PS4) PlayStation 4 [Pre-Owned] (European Import)
  • Hand-painted, traditionally animated characters
  • Flawless, hardcore action combat
  • Over 70 deadly and dangerous monsters and beasts
  • 6 massive level sets, all beautifully hand painted
  • Multiple weapons, armors, and accessories to loot, purchase, and discover

Art is a clear strength, but the overall impression is measured

Nintendo Life praises the game’s art, while its review is titled “Solid But Unremarkable Hack-And-Slashing.” That is a useful calibration: the review sees appealing presentation and a competent action-RPG foundation, not an outstanding genre entry.

Difficulty and content claims

The publisher lists four difficulty settings, more than 70 monsters and beasts, six level sets, and more than 10 bosses. Treat these as advertised feature counts, not a third-party audit of variety or length. Multiple endings are also listed, but the available review evidence does not establish how substantially they differ.

How does the Switch version perform?

Nintendo Life reports that the Switch version runs well in handheld mode, while play can become choppy when docked. This observation is specific to that review and platform; it does not establish performance on PC, PlayStation or Xbox. If you are choosing the Switch edition, handheld play has the more favorable review note.

Which platforms and editions are available?

Platform Store title and release information What the listing says
PC The Vagrant on Steam; released July 13, 2018 Steam credits O.T.K Games and publisher Thermite Games. The page lists a digital artbook and cosplay album as digital extras.
Nintendo Switch Sword of the Vagrant; console-store release date December 1, 2022 Nintendo lists one-player play and Switch 2 compatibility. Nintendo credits Rainy Frog as publisher and OTK Games and DICO as developers.
PlayStation 4 Sword of the Vagrant; console-store release date December 1, 2022 The PlayStation listing says it is playable on PS5, with possible feature differences. Console storefronts credit Rainy Frog as publisher.
Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Sword of the Vagrant; console-store release date December 1, 2022 Xbox lists the game for both platforms as a single-player title. Console storefronts credit Rainy Frog as publisher.

Storefront review figures are audience snapshots, not critic scores. At the time of the cited 2026 listings, Steam showed 8,182 purchaser reviews across languages marked Very Positive and 1,703 English reviews marked Very Positive. PlayStation Store showed 4.41 out of 5 from 1,023 ratings. These totals and scores can change.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Vagrantsong: Off The Rails Expansion | Wyrd Games 2-4 Players Ages 14+ 30+mins per Player
  • A new game mode that increases the difficulty and replayability of each Scenario*.
  • New Objectives tailored for each Vagrant called Devious Deeds that provide more character customization as Rewards.
  • A new type of rummage token
  • And a few spooky surprises along the way!
  • Vagrantsong: Off the Rails requires the core game of Vagrantsong to play. It is recommended that players also have Vagrantsong: Encore to gain the full Off the Rails experience. *Off the Rails does not include cards for the stand-alone Scenarios.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Are physical copies available?

Limited Run Games lists a region-free physical Switch cartridge and a PS4 physical disc. The listings establish that these formats have been offered, not that they are currently in stock or what they cost. Official storefronts also list digital editions. Steam’s artbook and cosplay album are digital extras, not printed merchandise.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Sword of the Vagrant - (PS4) PlayStation 4 [Pre-Owned] (European Import)
Sword of the Vagrant - (PS4) PlayStation 4 [Pre-Owned] (European Import)
Hand-painted, traditionally animated characters; Flawless, hardcore action combat; Over 70 deadly and dangerous monsters and beasts
$79.95
Bestseller No. 3
Vagrantsong: Off The Rails Expansion | Wyrd Games 2-4 Players Ages 14+ 30+mins per Player
Vagrantsong: Off The Rails Expansion | Wyrd Games 2-4 Players Ages 14+ 30+mins per Player
A new game mode that increases the difficulty and replayability of each Scenario*.; A new type of rummage token
$26.24
Bestseller No. 4
SaleBestseller No. 5
Pelgrane Press Swords of The Serpentine - Hardcover Role Playing Game Book, Pelgrane Press
Pelgrane Press Swords of The Serpentine - Hardcover Role Playing Game Book, Pelgrane Press
A GUMSHOE roleplaying game of swords & sorcery!; A full color 368 page hardcover book!
$50.05
Best Value
Sale
Pelgrane Press Swords of The Serpentine - Hardcover Role Playing Game Book, Pelgrane Press
  • A GUMSHOE roleplaying game of swords & sorcery!
  • Streamlined abilities that power four distinct types of heroes, and which you can mix-and-match across professions to customize your character further.
  • A full color 368 page hardcover book!
  • Rules for death curses, true names, alchemy, sorcerous items, ghostly possession, political manipulation, and more!
Rank #4
Sword & Sorcery: Chaotic Familiars
  • These beautiful miniatures introduce "pet" mechanics into Sword & Sorcery, to enhance gameplay and increase character customization
  • The ancient scrolls of the Archmagi classify Chaotic familiars into three types: Domestic (Cat, Crow); Wild (Bat); Legendary (Drakeling, Imp)
  • Each of these unique familiars provide valuable help or grant peculiar abilities to their owner
  • This expansion can be used with Sword & Sorcery Quests and Campaigns by simply shuffling the Familiar cards into the Treasure deck
  • This is NOT a complete game. You must own a copy of Sword & Sorcery - Immortal Souls or Ancient Chronicles Core set in order to play

Who is likely to enjoy it?

  • Consider it if you want a hand-painted fantasy action RPG with combo-based combat, equipment and ability progression, and adjustable difficulty.
  • Set expectations if you are looking for a genre standout: the independent Switch review’s overall assessment is positive but restrained.
  • On Switch, consider your play mode: the review’s performance note favors handheld over docked play.
  • Choose by format: digital editions are listed across platforms, while the physical listings cited here cover Switch and PS4.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How to Turn On Vibrant Visuals in MinecraftMinecraftBlog3min
  2. Best Multiplayer Games for Low-End PCsBlog4min
  3. Minecraft: How To Use And Install OptiFineBlog5min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.