Wish you could play Baldur's Gate 3 on Nintendo Switch 2? Another brilliant D&D RPG just hit the platform in time for its latest free update | Tech Radar
Overview
News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Details
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards.
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
Wish you could play Baldur's Gate 3 on Nintendo Switch 2? Another brilliant D&D RPG just hit the platform in time for its latest free update
Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked is a tactical take on the tabletop RPG
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked has just launched on Nintendo Switch 2
The port arrives alongside an update that adds a new playable character
The game is a Dungeons & Dragons themed version of the digital board game Demeo
The smash hit Baldur’s Gate 3 might not be coming to Nintendo Switch 2, but that doesn't mean that you should sleep on some of the other brilliant Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying games (RPGs) out on the platform. In fact, one just launched today in Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked.
As the name would suggest, it's a distinctly D&D take on the existing digital board game Demeo, which has players exploring dungeons and fighting monsters with tactical card-based combat. If you have fond memories of the physical board game Hero Quest, then you’ll feel right at home in Demeo, as it’s almost like a modernised version with a unique deck-builder twist.
Battlemarked adds a whole heap of D&D goodness into the mix, and it’s a match made in heaven. There are eight playable heroes to choose from, including one that’s just been added in time for the Nintendo Switch 2 port, all based on classic D&D classes. There’s a paladin, of course, alongside the expected sorcerer, ranger, fighter, bard, and rogue, all with their own weapons and unique abilities. I’m usually drawn towards playing a versatile bard character, but I’m very keen to unlock the newest addition to the roster: an orc druid who can literally turn into a giant bear.
D&D features like skill checks are present and accounted for throughout the two available story campaigns (more are set to be added in future), but this is by no means a proper adaptation of the ruleset. This is a more casual experience that can be enjoyed with up to three friends regardless of their individual levels of experience with the wider D&D universe.
You don't need to worry if nobody in your friend group has played Demeo before either. There's no prior knowledge of that game needed, as a detailed tutorial explains everything you need to know right when you first start.
The 26 best Nintendo Switch 2 games to play right now
Best RPGs: unmissable role-playing games for PC and consoles, and we've reviewed them all
The art direction is strong as well, with a presentation that makes it really feel like a board game come to life. The different classes are represented by little miniatures with a set design, though I do appreciate the fact that you can mix up their color schemes or change their in-game names if you’re eager for a little more role-play.
I rarely use the touchscreen on Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode, but the support for it in Battlemarked is superb. Dragging your pieces around the board feels totally natural and flicking the die every time you need to roll it is so satisfying that it's become my favorite way to play.
Joy-Con 2 mouse controls are similarly well implemented, with an on-screen cursor appearing automatically and letting you have a similarly enjoyable experience even if you're playing in docked mode on a TV.
This is definitely good thing, as I had one major complaint from my time so far: the regular thumbstick and button controls can be a little fiddly.
You can pick up Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons via the Nintendo Switch 2 e Shop for
It’s also out on Play Station 5, PC, and Meta Quest with full support for cross-platform multiplayer. If you already own it, there’s no need to worry about missing out on the new content added to the Switch 2 release — it’s coming to other platforms as a free update today.
Follow Tech Radar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
Dash is an experienced tech journalist who specializes in video games, electronic entertainment products, and the wider industry that surrounds them. He currently serves as the Gaming Editor at Tech Radar, leading our review, preview, feature, and news coverage of the latest and greatest releases.
Before joining the team, he was Contributing Writer at PLAY (formerly Official Play Station Magazine UK) and has written articles for many of the UK's other biggest gaming magazines including the likes of Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX.
Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
1HPE will let VMware users get a free year's license via its own tools
2'The whole Gemini migration has been a dumpster fire': Gemini calls are broken on Android Auto and users are switching back to Google Assistant
3I watched a 90-minute AI movie made in just two weeks — and Hollywood can stop worrying, for now
4 How will the UK's social media ban actually work? Here's the full list of affected apps — and 5 things you need to know
5'Survivor is absolutely Lara's past, but she is not beholden to that now' — Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis director says Lara Croft is in 'her prime' in the reimagined entry and the Survivor trilogy 'helped shape who she is'
Tech Radar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
Key Takeaways
- News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
- Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
- Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
- Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
- Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards
