Review: The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty (Nintendo Switch)

The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty is a visual novel that was first released in 2023 on Steam. Now, it brings its mix of drama and intrigue to the humble Switch. Visual novels, especially when done well, feel right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid system. The Hungry Lamb falls into this category, making it a welcome addition to the long list of games in this genre.

The dark story is set in China during the 1600s. It follows a bandit named Leang who works with another scoundrel named Tongue to deliver ill-gotten goods to whomever is willing to pay for them. This particular tale sees the two embark on a quest to deliver a group of young girls to a mysterious buyer in the mountains. Yep, we’re talking about human trafficking. 

While this T-rated title features some content that might not be for everyone, the narrative is engaging right from the start. Leang, despite his misdeeds, has his own past and vulnerabilities to deal with. Throughout the journey, he questions his own morals, often relying on the more devious Tongue to lay down the law when it comes to their prisoners. This is all set against the flailing empire of 1600s China, with corrupt guards, starving folk reduced to cannibalism, and the constant threat of war.

As the story unfolds, you’re occasionally presented with a choice to make. This choose-your-own-adventure style results in branching storylines and endings, visible via a handy flowchart. What’s more, you can restart from any point on the flowchart, allowing you to revisit previous scenes and try another option. It adds to the game’s replayability. 

The flowchart is just one of many elements that enhance this visual-novel experience. A small menu persists in the bottom right of the screen, neatly tucked away so that it remains accessible without disrupting the experience. From this menu you can switch between auto and manual text modes, save or load a game, view the flowchart, or fast-forward through the text. 

A more robust menu is also available, presenting further ways to tweak your experience. From here, you can switch languages, text speed, and more. You can even choose between Chinese or Japanese voiceovers. Which leads us to the topic of translation.

The Hungry Lamb was originally created in Chinese. The voiceover, which is only present when characters speak and is easily switched off, adds authenticity to the experience. But it begs the question; how is the English translation? While I had no issues with this, I have noticed others online were disappointed. Perhaps the Steam version suffered from lesser-quality content, but as an avid reader myself, I picked up very few typos, and the text flowed well. 

The story is set in a place and period of time that are very different from my own. This leads me to expect a somewhat clunky narrative—after all, language has evolved over 400 years. Having said that, nothing in the content stood out to me as overly wrong or out of context. In short, if you’re concerned about the translation, don’t be. It was an enjoyable experience from beginning to end.

Another element that makes The hungry Lamb feel right at home on the Nintendo Switch is touchscreen controls. You can press the screen to manually skip text, and the menu itself is all touch-enabled. As a lover of traditional books, even I can get behind a visual novel experience when it’s done this well.

Visually, The Hungry Lamb uses static imagery to depict each scene. These are generally landscapes or rooms that often feature characters. The graphics are resplendent, offering anime-esque visuals to deepen the experience. Each character is uniquely presented, and it creates an experience that’s a joy to behold.

The soundtrack is equally lovely, sitting neatly in the background to help you feel more in the moment. Some scenes feature simple outdoor noises reminiscent of a trek through the woods. At other times, the music is amplified as the drama unfolds. The voice acting helps bring characters to life, with some terrific acting on display. Despite being in a foreign language for me, the voices convey strong emotions that, again, help immerse the player in the environment. 

Overall, The Hungry Lamb is an engaging tale of right and wrong set in a bygone era. The unique story will keep you invested as you navigate the pathways to one of many conclusions. With lovely visuals and plentiful options, this is a visual novel that truly stands out.