Nintendo Switch Online subscribers in Europe and Japan will be able to play Rune Factory 4 Special for a week, as part of the Game Trials program.
Rune Factory 4 Special is a game that combines farming simulator, fantasy dungeon battling, and earning love from anime folk. The game debuted on the Nintendo 3DS in 2012 as Rune Factory 4, and Special is the name given to the Switch remaster that was released in 2020. The new content in Rune Factory 4 Special includes upgraded visuals, new cutscenes, new difficulty modes, and a "Newlywed Mode" that has special episodes where the player fights alongside their spouse.
Rune Factory 4 Special was only released this year, but it's now available for free for a single week in Europe and Japan. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can download Rune Factory 4 Special from the eShop for free and play it for a week. The game can be downloaded right now and it will remain playable until November 10.
Game Trials is a regular benefit for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers that gives free access to a title for a week. This started with Mario Tennis Aces and has included games like Celeste and Fire Emblem Warriors, though the Game Trials tend to be different in each region. Once the Game Trial ends, the game usually has a hefty discount on the eShop for a small time, so it's easy for fans to continue playing if they are enjoying the experience.
Rune Factory 4 Special is a beefy game and it takes roughly 40 hours to complete, but it's still possible to finish the game within the trial period. We hope that this is a sign of Nintendo making Game Trials a regular occurrence, especially in the face of the next-gen systems. Xbox's Game Pass service and Sony's PlayStation Plus Collection for PS5 are making a great argument for their fee, and regular Game Trials for third-party titles could have a similar effect for Nintendo Switch Online.
Rune Factory 4 Special is available for free to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers from November 4 to November 10, 2020.