The Swapper PS3/PS4/Vita - May 2014

[chameleoneel]

cross posted from my thread for the PC version:

So I was activating a humble bundle on Steam and happnened to see a Marquee for "The Swapper".

I....can't remember if I watched the preview video. I don't think that I did. I peaked at the screenshots and read a couple of hype quotes. For whatever reason, the space aesthetic grabbed me and the hype quotes got me to look up a review. I basically guessed the main mechanic from the screenshots. But there is of course a lot to this game mechanically, that I had no idea about.

I skimmed the Eurogamer review very lightly, although they do a good job of avoiding directly talking about spoilers. Through experience, I've found Eurogamer's reviews to be a pretty good gauge for my own tastes. They pretty much praised the game through and through. Saying that not only is it a good game, but it has an intriguingly presented story, that fills out an experience larger than the game one is directly playing.

I decided to buy it. In basic terms, the main mechanic and overall setup make it sort of like 2D "Portal". It also shares in having a story aspect that is more than the gameplay.

I don't play a lot of these indie 2D games as I would usually rather play an actual platformer, than some gimmick puzzle platformer. Regardless, I became quite absorbed into this game. If any of this sounds or looks good to you, I recommend it. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them without direct spoilers.

Included are some screenshots that give you a tiny taste from the beginning chunk of the game. I tried to illustrate how the game looks as played and its typical presentation. It pretty much gets more beautiful and visually interesting as you go.

 

[Domini]

This game has been out for almost a year on PC. Good to know they are expanding the player base

 

[chameleoneel]

1080p versions of all screenshots in the OP:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/74nwd0li2ry7b41/TheSwapperscreens.zip

 

[chameleoneel]

various comments of mine, cross posted from the PC version thread:

It is somewhat metrovanic. Which is to say, it is not completely linear. So far it goes in chunks or branches. But once you are done with a chunk, you probably won't go back to it ever. Some paths also loop back. So (as far as physical location) you will end up way back by an earlier section, but separated by a wall or some feature you may not have really payed attention to earlier. I describe the gameplay as a cross between 2D Portal and The Lost Vikings II (SNES). But The Swapper does not have a bunch of linear rooms like those two games.

*and that may be redundant, because Portal is already like The Lost Vikings.

I have noticed some optional branches, as well. The map is fairly vague on purpose. Hiding some things, encouraging you to explore and try some things.

the graphical assets are based on clay models and miniatures

Finished this. I guess it took me 10 hours?? (that's about double the time I've been seeing in reviews). I did do a lot of jaw dropping and staring at the visuals and setting up screenshots. Otherwise, I never got super stuck on the puzzles. There are a few mind benders near the end that will delay you, however.

I think overall this game deserves status and accolades similar to Portal. Portal's gameplay is a little more thrilling, due to the first person viewpoint and the way you can launch yourself about. But the mechanics here in The Swapper are no slouch, offer plenty of variety for your brain to wrap around, and the mechanics synergize with the story and themes. (you'll see what I mean if you play The Swapper). Whereas with Portal, using portals is just a mechanic. You could swap Portals with some other thing and still have the same story. The Swapper is more beautiful than Portal. This game is a landmark in artistic and visual achievement for videogames.

The Swapper is also expertly paced. The game finishes before the puzzle mechanics have a chance to overstay their welcome and the puzzle types never repeat. Every puzzle is quite different. There are also a few supremely beautiful expositional moments sewn into the experience, that make for a wonderful break from the running around and puzzling.

I think my only complaint is that the ending seemed a tiny bit abrupt. Once the big reveals start rolling in, it's not long until the credits. It didn't seem like quite enough time to fully digest and contemplate the things presented. I mean, the game answers most of the questions for you and does it in a great way. But I just felt like I needed a couple of more minutes to look at the finished puzzle, so to speak.

 

[chameleoneel]

Somewhat worthless article about the playstation release:
http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2014/02/26/clone-swapper-ps3-ps4-ps-vita/