Freeride is a one-of-a-kind action RPG where your decisions shape both the story and your personality profile. Blending adventure, exploration, and light combat with a branching narrative, it’s a game that encourages replaying to truly see everything it has to offer.
Originally launched on Steam in May 2025, Freeride has now made its way to Nintendo Switch as of January 2026. Developed by Flightyfelon Games Inc. and published alongside Future Friends Games, it stands out with its bold art style, relaxed pace, and clever use of player choices. It’s also pitched as a personality test in disguise, which turns out to be more than just a gimmick.
Freeride’s Story and Characters: A Personal Journey
You play as Proto, a mysterious little traveller who hops aboard a spirit train after being recruited by a glowing blue spirit. That’s your cue to dive into the spirit world, meet its quirky inhabitants, and shape your journey based on your choices.
And those choices really matter. From chatting to handing over gifts, you’ll befriend (or annoy) the spirits you meet, each with their own story, fears, and goals. The catch? You won’t get to know everyone in one go. Each loop through the game lets you follow just a few characters properly, meaning you’ll want to play again to see more paths and outcomes.
After two full runs, I’ve already seen very different sides of the story. Some characters’ arcs wrapped up nicely, others ended in total failure because of decisions I made. It’s a brilliant system that makes you reflect, with each act wrapping up with a quick breakdown of your playstyle and the personality traits it suggests. Everything builds towards a final personality analysis at the end too, which adds an oddly personal twist.
The story can feel a bit vague or confusing at first, but the more I played, the more I appreciated how much detail and lore is hidden beneath the surface. There’s also a load of secrets to find, and I’ve barely scratched the surface even after poking around a lot.
Each loop took me about four hours, but if you laser focus on the main route, it could be even quicker. That said, I never felt bored or like I was repeating myself thanks to the different storylines and choices. Replayability is high here without feeling like a checklist chore.
Freeride Gameplay: Exploration, Choices, and Replay Value
Exploration is the heart of Freeride. You’re free to choose your path in most acts, and there’s clearly loads tucked away for curious players. Some secrets are just hidden items, others seem like light puzzles (though puzzles aren’t a major focus).
Controls on Switch are easy to pick up, though the stick sensitivity felt a bit twitchy at times. You’ll often get button prompts to guide you, especially when interacting with items, which helps smooth things out.
Combat is… well, let’s say it’s not the highlight. It’s basic stuff like picking things up and chucking them at enemies. I didn’t manage to fully defeat anything and actually bailed on one combat-heavy route because it just wasn’t that fun. Luckily, you can mostly avoid fighting and still enjoy the game.
Freeride on Switch: Visuals, Performance, and Art Style
On the Switch OLED, Freeride runs well. There were a few minor frame rate dips, but nothing that messed with the gameplay.
The visuals are where the game really shines. It’s got a bold, colourful, cartoonish style that feels warm and full of character. Every background and character seems lovingly designed, and nothing looks rushed or half-baked. No bugs or crashes across both my playthroughs either, which is always a nice surprise!
The soundtrack is gentle and mood-setting, fitting the game’s tone perfectly. There’s no voice acting, but characters ‘speak’ in funny little noises, kind of like Animal Crossing, which adds to their charm and personality.
Is Freeride Worth Playing? Final Verdict and Score
Freeride is a lovely surprise. It’s thoughtful, replayable, and surprisingly introspective. It doesn’t hand you all the answers on a plate, and that’s kind of the point. Your journey is yours alone, shaped by your personality and choices.
If you’re after tight combat or a one-and-done experience, this might not be your thing. But if you enjoy cosy adventures, meaningful decisions, and a bit of introspective soul-searching, then Freeride is well worth hopping aboard.
Available now on Nintendo Switch and Steam. If you love choice-driven games and chill exploration, give it a go. You might just learn something about yourself.