Game Info
GAME NAME: The Swapper
DEVELOPER(S): Facepalm Games/Curve Studios
PUBLISHER(S): Curve Digital
PLATFORM(S): Nintendo Wii U
GENRE(S): Puzzle
RELEASE DATE(S): November 6th, 2014
Curve Digital has been on a roll as of lately with release titles week after week. For better or worse sales related, they have all been great titles. First with Lone Survivor and then the Wii U exclusive instant classic Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones, there is no lack of quality in the games they have published. There latest port, in conjunction with Facepalm Games, is the PC title The Swapper, which was met with rave reviews when it first launched. How does Curve’s port to Nintendo’s home console hold up?
The story of The Swapper seems to leave you in the dark on purpose. Your character finds themselves alone on a planet having to explore and figure out how they got there. Atheistically, The Swapper at first glance will remind you of the Wii U title The Fall from earlier in the year, but that is only because of the main character dressed in a space suit with a flashlight. That though is where the similarities end. As you progress through the opening area you will notice that The Swapper is much more of a Metroidvania-esque game progression wise, but has some very clever puzzles thrown in along the way. The game’s story progresses from the partial data received through intercom chatter and pieces of logbook files, just another way it reminds me of the atmospheric qualities of a Metroid title.
The Swapper’s gameplay elements is what really separates it from the pack. Your character is equipped with a gadget called, well, a swapper. What this allows you to do is clone yourself four times over and at any time bring your focal point to any of the clones. You can make a clone by using the right analog stick to point where you would like to create one and hitting the zR button. You can then warp to it by using the zL button. All the clones will mimic what you do as the main character. Sounds simple right? This is where The swapper throws a wrench in it. There are different lights that can block certain functions of the swapper. A red light will block your swapping ability, a blue will block your cloning and a mixture of both, the purple light, will block both. You can go over a white light and this acts as a reset to your clones and will kindly “kill” them off, which also becomes a theme of morality later in the game.
The main purpose besides advancing the story and learning more about what is going on is to collect a set amount of orbs in a particular area to unlock a device or gadget such as an elevator to get you to the next main area. The map on the GamePad will highlight points of interest including where the orbs may be which is definitely a time saver. You can also switch up the map and interface on your touchscreen to be the game’s main display using the off-screen play mode.
Many of the game’s levels do a great job of setting the mood that you are alone and you must explore to figure out what’s going on. The static transmissions that relay are beyond creepy at times and the claymationish art style blend with the sense of solidarity quite well. The flashlight does an amazing job of of showing off the shadowing and lighting effects that the developers have played into the game. I also love the distant piano and ambient music that is playing throughout each area in the game, it is relaxing and goes well with the subtle sound effects.
The Recommendation
Facepalm Games with the help of Curve Digital have done a great job with putting a unique puzzle game on the Wii U. The world they have built is super atmospheric and gives you a great sense of being alone on a planet. The use of “the swapper” tool makes for some very unique and complex puzzles that are rewarding when finished. The asking price of $19.99 may be too high for some, but you can easily get your money’s worth out of this title. Another great addition to the ever growing indie line up on the Wii U.
