The Swapper

[fistfulofmetal]

The Swapper is a puzzle platformer on PC that takes place IN SPACE. It's primary features are: cloning, and swapping between clones via line of site.

The game uses these mechanics to have you solve puzzles.

I've played a bit more than 40 minutes and I am enjoying it quite a bit. It's very PORTAL like in the sense that it doesn't TUTORIALIZE you overtly. Instead it teaches you mechanics and ideas naturally by letting you "try things out". A lot of the time you think you're breaking the game because of the mechanics.

It has a great art style and seems to have a mysterious story.

It's good. It's currently 12 dollars on STEAM but retails for 15.

play it!

[Joe Molotov]

It's all made out of clay and "everyday materials" as well. 

[G The Resurrected]

someone buy this for me, I can't convince myself to buy it cause I know once I do it will be in some damn bundle.

[chronovore]

 

So, you're trying to convince someone to spend their money on you because you don't want to spend your own money, because you might be able to save more later...?

[G The Resurrected]

I wouldn't complain if it were free or gifted to me that's all I'm saying. But right now I'm fighting to keep myself from buying it on the basis that it will be cheaper or in a bundle shortly. The game looks awesome though, and I might just cave by tomorrow.

[etiolate]

Looking at the gameplay, I will probably pick this up.

[Stoney Mason]

I played it for about 30 minutes. It seemed like an okay to good little puzzle game but it didn't blow me away like the reviews are sort of going on. Maybe it gets insanely good after those 30 minutes or something.

edit: Reading that comes off a little more critical than I wanted to be. I mean the game definitely seems clever. The production values are darn good for an indie game. It's a good game. In the little I played it just didn't blow me away which is maybe an unfair standard that I'm holding it to.

[fistfulofmetal]

The best aspect of it is that you don't even think about the fact that the game only teaches you the two basic mechanics, clone and swap, and then every other technique you learn comes naturally. It presents a situation and expects you to figure it out without any hints or telegraphy.

Like the one where there's a tall upward shaft and you figure out how to go straight up using quick clone/swap. Or even just the idea of sending the swapper fire first and then clone which is a fairly critical mechanic.

Plus I really like open games like this where I can go back and explore around to find optional puzzle rooms.

Everything about it is really sharp and polished.

[etiolate]

Got it and really into it so far. It's dragged me away from Dust. In many aspects, it's more metroidy than a lot of games that get called metroidvanias. Right now, I am semi-completely lost in what to do and I have a big interconnected map of places to go with some idea of direction, and lots of shortcuts between areas.

So far only two of the orb puzzles have stumped me. I'm at a point right after you

spoiler (click to show/hide)

see the mask

[close]

and I may have gone the wrong way after that, but I doubt the game would have such an easy way to screw yourself over. I do have an area I can access once I have 60 orbs, but I'm only at like 35 right now.

One other thing: I really love how they did zero-gravity in the game.

[fistfulofmetal]

I'm near the end of the game I believe. I'm sitting in front of a big fat roadblock that's basically telling "go back and finish those puzzles you pussy taco"

ok

[fistfulofmetal]

Just one more puzzle needing to be solved before I can go to the end of the game.

[Joe Molotov]

How long it take you? I'm about an hour in, just entering waste management with about a dozen orbs.

[fistfulofmetal]

How long it take you? I'm about an hour in, just entering waste management with about a dozen orbs.

little over 5 hours.

[fistfulofmetal]

this fucking puzzle



Red = Can clone inside but cannot swap
Blue = Can swap inside but cannot clone
Purple = Can't do shit inside

Top switch, turns the red lights all the way to the left off
Bottom switch, turns the blue lights off.

Been stuck on this one for ages.

[etiolate]

Yeah I've come back to that one again and again, and can't figure out what to do. I normally end up with two up top and three down below, and can't create another get to the orb.

[Joe Molotov]

Can you project a clone onto the top button from the bottom corner? The angle doesn't look like you can, but maybe if you jump..?

[fistfulofmetal]

Can you project a clone onto the top button from the bottom corner? The angle doesn't look like you can, but maybe if you jump..?

You can. Get a person on the switch at the bottom and you can get a clone to the orb. But then you need to get a guy on the top switch to turn off the red so you can swap to it.

And I can't figure out how to make it work.

[fistfulofmetal]

And then, I figured it out.

What a great game. Stunning visuals and style. Great mechanics and design. Interesting world to explore. Puzzles that are clever never feel obtuse.


I hope this gets the recognition it deserves.

[Joe Molotov]

Ending:

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I swapped at the end, did either of you guys choose to stay behind? Does it even matter[/existential]

Actually, I found a Youtube video of the other ending. Neither ending is especially fulfilling. Also, I wish I had played with subtitles on, because sometimes it was hard to understand what was being said. I think I got most of it, though.

[close]

[fistfulofmetal]

FYI The game is still $11.24 and will be for another 2 hours.

Buy it! It's really good!