Lab Zero's lauded 2019 RPG platformer release, Indivisible, finally made its way into the Nintendo eShop April 28th to the surprise of, well, everyone. There was no lead up announcement, no press of any kind. Even the developers themselves were blindsided by the sudden game drop.
Mark Zaimont, Project Lead on Indivisible's development team, also appears to be the spokesman for the team in this awkward time.
"Feel like you missed the announcement? You're not alone, our team found out because people on Twitter sent us congratulations! I had no idea! But there it is! :^P," Zaimont posted on Twitter. Apparently, publisher 505G neglected to share their plans with the Lab Zero, or anyone else. Unfortunately there are several issues that prevent this from being a pleasant surprise.
What's Wrong With the Port?
To begin with, the eShop listing for Indivisible doesn't even show the correct cover art! That's a small oversight, however, and seems all the more so relative to the other more egregious errors.
The build of the game released for Switch is older than what's available to current players on other platforms. This means it lacks actual gameplay elements, namely Co-op and New Game Plus, along with numerous small changes and additions made in recent months.
Moreover, contributors to Indivisible’s Indiegogo funding campaign have another reason to be upset. One reward for donors of a certain level was a code bestowing a free copy of the game on the donor’s platform of choice. Switch owners who have been patiently awaiting this reward are understandably upset that they haven’t received the promised compensation.
According to Zaimont, it is currently unknown when, how, or even if this agreement will be honored. 505 Games has yet to release a statement of their own.
This botched release may remind gamers of another 505 Games release fiasco. Artplay’s “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night” suffered several unexplained delays to its Japanese release. Another crowd funded game, the original backers were among the absolute last to get their promised copies. This may not bode well for the Indiegogo set this time around.
Is There A Bright Side?
It would be unfair to say that all the news surrounding this release is bad. While in its current state the Switch port is missing newer game elements, it is still a technically solid port of a much anticipated game. According to Zaimont, the game runs smoothly, with a “stable frame rate, even handheld.” And, while there has been no statement detailing 505 Games’s future plans, it seems safe to assume the game will eventually be updated to match its current iterations on other platforms.
Indivisible | Nintendo Switch Gameplay & Frame Rate
Plus, the launch price is 20% off! Right now, for $23.99 (versus the $29.99 full price), you can get your hands on a fantasy RPG/platformer lauded for its gorgeous, hand drawn art and animation, innovative real-time battle system, and impressive roster of characters. Original backers might still want to hold out for their free copies, but for everyone else this will probably work out to be a fair deal.
Right now, all of the above holds true for Switch owners in North America only. Indivisible for switch is only available in the North American eShop, meaning that players in other regions are still waiting for their own version of this launch.
No one would call this launch perfect, but after a long wait a version of Indivisible is available for Switch players, and that version is technically sound, and most importantly, it’s fun.