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Vernal Edge is a single-player action-adventure with Metroidvania structure, fast combo-driven combat, spells, and platforming across floating islands. Its strongest appeal is the freedom to choose which islands to explore and how to build combat strings. Reviews lean favorable, though the available critic sample is small and some reviewers found repetitive enemies, a modest story, or limited value in the airship sections.
What kind of game is Vernal Edge?
Vernal Edge is a single-player action-adventure released on March 14, 2023. Steam categorizes it as action and adventure; its design combines exploration across connected floating islands with platforming and real-time combat. The Steam listing names Hello Penguin Team LLC as developer and PID Games and Dear Villagers as publishers. Nintendo names Plug In Digital as publisher for the Switch edition.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Vernal Edge - Comaptible for Switch - UK PAL | $37.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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FIFA 23 (Legacy Edition) - For Nintendo Switch | $73.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Vernal Edge | $39.36 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51uFuaO-nlL._SL160_.jpg)
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Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The publisher’s Steam description says players can take their aircraft to any island and explore them in the order they choose. That supports route choice, but it does not establish how clear the map or progression guidance will feel to each player.
Combat, traversal, and story
- Combat: Build attacks from combos and spells, with fast-paced battles as a central hook.
- Exploration and platforming: Traverse pixel-art environments and platforming sections while choosing among floating islands.
- Story: Vernal searches for her estranged father and the truth, accompanied by Chervil, an amnesiac automaton, according to the publisher description on Steam.
What do reviews say about Vernal Edge?
Reception is broadly favorable in the available snapshots, but the critic evidence is limited. Steam’s store page showed 74% positive from 530 all-time user reviews and 76% positive from 17 recent reviews when accessed in 2026; Steam labeled the all-time result “Mostly Positive.” These are changing user-review figures, not fixed scores.
#1 Best Overall
- UK Nintendo e-store account may be required for any online features
GameFAQs’ Switch review page displayed a Metacritic score of 76 based on four critics when accessed in 2026. This is a secondary aggregation snapshot, not a direct check of Metacritic’s current page, and four reviews are too few to treat as a comprehensive consensus.
Where reviewers agree—and differ
The excerpts collected on GameFAQs’ Nintendo Switch review page point to combat, exploration, and platforming as strengths. God is a Geek describes it as a strong Metroidvania with deep combat and freedom to explore; PC Invasion praises level design, combat, and platforming. Noisy Pixel also praises combat and platforming, while noting similar-feeling enemies and a story that does not stand out. GameOver.gr criticizes the airship’s gameplay value and calls the experience derivative.
Rank #2
- Updated visual identity and a refreshed broadcast overlay package.
- Featuring the latest kits, clubs, and squads from some of the top leagues of the world.
- Now includes top women’s club teams and some of the world’s most famous stadiums, including brand new ones.
- Gameplay features and modes will have parity with FIFA 22 on Nintendo Switch without any new significant enhancements.
Those criticisms are useful signals for players weighing combat and exploration against variety or narrative impact, but they are individual review judgments. The publisher presents the family-truth premise as the story’s setup; one reviewer’s view that the story is passable is not evidence of a shared critical verdict.
Is Vernal Edge worth playing?
It is a promising fit if you want a single-player Metroidvania that emphasizes action, combo-and-spell combat, platforming, and the freedom to choose an island route. The main reservations in the cited reviews are enemy similarity, a story that may not be a major draw, and the airship’s limited gameplay value. The available ratings support a generally positive reception, but do not erase those trade-offs or guarantee that the exploration and progression will suit you.
Rank #3
- Take control of Vernal in this beautiful pixel art Metroidvania:Unravel the secrets of her pastandthe mysteries of Haricot as you battle your way through this broken kingdom
- A fast-paced metroidvania:Explore the floating islands of Haricot. Town or dungeon, leave nostones unturned in order to gain more powers!Jump, dash, slide your way into beautiful pixelart environments and don’t forget,secrets could be anywhere!
- Dynamic and rewarding combat system:Strive for excellence as you master Vernal’s manycombos and spells to create the deadliest suite of attacksto destroy your enemies! The largenumber of options at your disposal every time you strike your foes makesVernal Edge’sbattles a constantly renewed source of excitement
- Make your own way:As long as there’s wind in your sail and a fire in your heart, you are free!In Vernal Edge, you can take your aircraftto any island you want, and explore them in theorder you choose.
- Unravel the mysteries of Haricot and Help Vernal get her revenge, once and for all
Is Vernal Edge available physically on Switch?
Availability depends on region. Nintendo of America lists a digital Switch edition, while Nintendo UK lists both a download version and a physical Game Card edition. The UK listing gives the Game Card release date as January 26, 2024; its download version is listed with a March 14, 2023 release date. These listings do not establish current stock or availability in other regions, so check your local retailer and Nintendo store before buying.
The PC version is sold separately through Steam. Nintendo’s US listing identifies Fantasy Violence and Language; Nintendo UK lists the game as PEGI 12. Ratings and store details are regional and may differ.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Mario & Rabbids universes collide in this new adventure that combines the best of these two worlds!
- Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi join forces with four Rabbids heroes with their own unique personalities.
- Easy to play, difficult to master. Solo and co-op turn-based combat is a fresh gameplay experience.
- Battle with an arsenal of weapons through four new worlds filled with enemies, puzzles, and humorous fun!
- Pick up and play anywhere exclusively on the Nintendo Switch system, even on the go.
Rank #4
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Official store listings
- Vernal Edge on Steam — PC storefront listing and publisher description.
- Vernal Edge for Nintendo Switch on Nintendo of America — US digital listing.
- Vernal Edge on Nintendo UK — listing includes the download and Game Card editions.
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.
