Haste on Switch 2 Review: Fast-Paced Roguelike Hits Performance Snags

Haste first stood out as an unconventional roguelike when it launched on PC and other consoles. Unlike traditional entries in the genre, it borrows heavily from Sonic the Hedgehog, tasking players with speedrunning through collapsing environments in a fast-paced platformer. Success depends on precise timing for jumps, landings, and the use of a special board ability. While the game proved solid on other platforms, its Switch 2 debut introduces bugs and performance issues that make it feel less polished.

Performance Issues Dampen the Experience

The good news? Haste is playable on Switch 2 in handheld mode. The bad news? It never consistently maintains the 60fps expected of a high-performance title. While the game runs, the frame rate dips and stutters, particularly when adjusting graphics settings. This is problematic for a game where speed and precision are critical to survival.

Plot and Gameplay Overview

The story follows Zoe, a delivery person who traverses worlds using portals. Her journey begins when strange shards start appearing in these worlds, prompting a corporation to exploit the phenomenon. Zoe meets Riza, who warns of an impending apocalypse and urges her to seek stable ground. Along the way, Zoe reunites with her friend Daro but learns that another acquaintance, Niada, is missing.

As Zoe races to uncover the truth behind the shards, she uncovers clues about the escalating crisis. The game’s core concept is simple: an auto-runner with a third-person perspective, where players follow Zoe through crumbling environments. Success hinges on maintaining momentum by leaping over hills and descending to increase speed, all while collecting shards.

Players can use energy from successful landings to activate a speed boost via the left trigger. However, mistimed landings drain health and risk falling behind the destruction. The game’s difficulty is adjustable at the start, offering three presets: Chill, Steady, and Sprint.

Visuals and Customization

Haste provides options to tweak graphics settings, but these adjustments can introduce lag. Enabling features like Motion Blur, Hourglass Ability VFX, and Item Icon VFX notably impacts performance. Given the game’s reliance on speed and fluidity, these issues are particularly glaring. Even in docked mode, default low or medium settings occasionally cause problems, undermining the experience.

Final Thoughts

Despite its innovative approach to the roguelike genre and engaging gameplay mechanics, Haste on Switch 2 feels held back by performance inconsistencies. While the game remains playable and entertaining, the frame rate drops and lag from graphics settings detract from what could otherwise be a seamless experience. For fans of fast-paced platformers, Haste offers a unique take, but its technical shortcomings may frustrate players seeking the smoothness expected from a high-end console title.