Compile Heart, the developer behind Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force, has opened up pre-orders for a physical version of the game on the Switch.
Idea Factory founded Compile Heart on June 2, 2006, and from there the subsidiary went on to create many iconic franchises for its parent company. Some notable series from the developer include Hyperdimension Neptunia, Record of Agarest War and Fairy Fencer F. Like many developers, Compile Heart would cut down on production time by reusing elements from its previous games on newer titles. When it came creating the JRPG that would later be known as Fairy Fencer F, the company decided that it would be best to use a modified version of the combat system previously used in Hyperdimension Neptunia.
Though the game received mixed reviews upon its release, Compile Heart would later create a remaster of the game titled Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force. Now, after being available digitally on the Switch for almost a year, Idea Factory has revealed that Switch owners will be able to pick up hard copies of the game this winter.
Given that Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force has been available on the Switch since January of this year, this newest announcement doesn’t make a lot of sense. While there are many users that refuse to buy digitally, it seems highly unlikely that Idea Factory will secure a lot of pre-orders for the game. If few consumers pre-order the game, it could cause Idea Factory to rethink its strategy going forward.
News related to the hard copy release of the game comes from Anime News Network who reveals that distribution of the game is being handled by Limited Run Games. Limited Run Games has already opened up pre-orders for the game, but those wishing to get their hands on a physical copy will only have until October 18th at 11:59 P.M. EDT to do so. The physical Switch version of the game will include every DLC that was made available for the PlayStation 4 version. Those wishing to pre-order the game can do so for $39.99, though the company points out that hard copies won’t begin shipping out until sometime in November.
While it is good that Idea Factory is giving its fans a chance to order a physical copy of the game for the Switch, it seems a bit late given the age of the game. Additionally, given that most fans of the series will already own a digital copy of the game, it’s a bit strange that the developer decided to release the physical version at this price point.
With the rise in direct to digital, it’s a good sign that developers are still willing to produce physical versions of their games. If the physical version of Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force does well, it could cause other companies to rethink their strategy when it comes to digital-only.
