Severed gets a surprise release on the Switch eShop

Well that came out of nowhere. If you’ve checked the Switch eShop this afternoon, you might have noticed something new and unexpected — DrinkBox Studios’ excellent action adventure game Severed is now available for purchase on the Switch. As far as any of us are aware, this wasn’t announced or promoted beforehand, it just popped up out of nowhere today. The game is available on the Australian Switch eShop at a price of $19.50 AUD.

You can read the description of the game below, or scroll to the bottom of the page to watch the launch trailer for the Switch version.

All alone
One night, you awaken in a strange place, dazed and confused. You come across a house that looks suspiciously like your own and decide to investigate. Inside, you glimpse a mirror – your reflection stares back at you, but something is horribly wrong. Your arm has been severed from your body, and visions of your family being dragged into a strange realm by unknown forces scream through your head.

A grotesque creature appears behind you, grants you a sword and tells you that, though this house may seem like your home, it is not. You’ve been transported into a strange void along with your family, but they’re nowhere to be seen. Now, you must embark on a perilous journey to find them and return home.

Navigate creative, maze-like dungeons – some of which are huge, living creatures – filled with unnerving beasts, treacherous traps and perplexing puzzles. Move around in a first-person perspective and closely survey your surroundings for clues as you journey into the unknown.

Cutting edge combat
Throughout your eerie adventure, you’ll be confronted by all sorts of terrifying and monstrous creatures. By swiping on the touch screen, you can swing your sword in different directions – slash away at the ghoulish monsters to inflict damage, or parry their attacks in defence. Use long swiping motions to deal more damage, and strike at precise angles to devastate weak spots in enemy armour.

When you’re surrounded by enemies, battles become a frantic and frenzied mix of careful observation and furious sword swinging. Each type of enemy has its own attack pattern that you’ll need to study and memorise. Keep an eye out for any enemies that are about to attack, then quickly turn to face them and unleash a flurry of melee attacks to keep the beast at bay. Juggling multiple enemies is a trying test of your time management, dexterity and reflexes.

Fight, focus, forage
Chain together combos to build your Focus meter. When your Focus is maxed, activate the finishing Sever Mode for a chance to detach enemy limbs, then use them to upgrade a number of skills. If you successfully Sever a boss, you’ll be able to create sturdy armour from the spoils, granting you powerful new abilities. Incapacitate foes with the Blind ability, go into a fiery Rage to deal more damage, or Devour magical enemy buffs to use them as your own and dominate the opposition.

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Revisit areas with new powers to get a fresh perspective and find hidden secrets. Once you unlock the Charge Slash, you’ll be able to deliver more powerful strikes in combat and smash through obstructions that once blocked your path, opening up new areas.

Experience a unique touch adventure that’s a cut above in Severed, an otherworldly dungeon-crawler for Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.

• Battle nightmarish creatures in tactical battles with unique touch controls
• Your finger becomes your sword – swipe the touch screen to send enemies packing
• Collect body parts from huge bosses and wear them to gain new armour and abilities
• Drudge through puzzle-filled dungeons to find your missing family