The Swapper

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 546 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 448 out of 546
  2. Mixed: 87 out of 546
  3. Negative: 11 out of 546

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  1. ItsAllOgre5
    May 14, 2017
    10
    This game kicked ass. Even though I finished it in one sitting, I loved the atmosphere, the graphics, and obviously the puzzles. Easily one of my favorite PC games.
  2. auditbadger
    Jul 30, 2017
    9
    I think that this is truly a unique game and I would recommend that if you are a fan of this type of genre then I think you should give this game a try.
  3. kch3691
    Dec 18, 2017
    9
    The Swapper is story focused puzzle game. The story is the main draw and is great sci-fi with even better atmosphere and aesthetic. The puzzles revolve around making copies of yourself who are chained to the movement of the player character. The game can beat in under 4 hours but you will probably need a guide to get 10/10 achievements.
  4. Mpbpl
    Mar 15, 2018
    9
    A really good puzzle game with a surprisingly remarkable story and philosophy behind it.
    The puzzles are up front and they are really good with a big variety of obstacles, their gradual complexity feels very well thought out, the game doesn't feel like getting too hard out of nowhere.
    The game is beautiful and the music is fitting for the "space and all alone" theme, and the story is    A really good puzzle game with a surprisingly remarkable story and philosophy behind it.
    The puzzles are up front and they are really good with a big variety of obstacles, their gradual complexity feels very well thought out, the game doesn't feel like getting too hard out of nowhere.
    The game is beautiful and the music is fitting for the "space and all alone" theme, and the story is very deep and philosophical, making you wanting to find out more about what happened and what are the aliens.
    The only problem for me is what happens with every puzzle game, after you beat the puzzle the replayability is really low.    … Expand
  5. SilverOrlov
    Sep 23, 2019
    8
    When I first started playing this game for the first time, it seemed to me that it was boring and somehow viscous, both game-play and graphic. But something caught on and, nevertheless, I spent some time going further ... and then even further, and so on until the very end. No, the sensation of viscosity did not go away, but it turned into a feeling of immersion in the atmosphere of someWhen I first started playing this game for the first time, it seemed to me that it was boring and somehow viscous, both game-play and graphic. But something caught on and, nevertheless, I spent some time going further ... and then even further, and so on until the very end. No, the sensation of viscosity did not go away, but it turned into a feeling of immersion in the atmosphere of some cosmic slow thriller with an interesting visual view of the environment. And the boredom simply resolved, after the first levels, when it was necessary to begin to solve the "riddles" of this game ... The plot of the game is revealed gradually, and the climax makes you experience a vivid impression (although it seems that this ending can be considered partly stereotyped, but in this game, an excellent decision was to make exactly as it was done).
    This game deserves to be called one of the best of its genre (platformer).    … Expand
  6. MavenUMP
    Nov 20, 2021
    8
    The story is quite nice with probably the best ending I have ever experience in a game. Of course the storytelling isn't comparable to the immersive and interactive storytelling like in SOMA, Titanfall 2, Half-Life or Firewatch. I mean it's a 2D sidescroller (logic) puzzle game and the story isn't fully presented via the gameplay, dialogues and environmental storytelling. A part is put inThe story is quite nice with probably the best ending I have ever experience in a game. Of course the storytelling isn't comparable to the immersive and interactive storytelling like in SOMA, Titanfall 2, Half-Life or Firewatch. I mean it's a 2D sidescroller (logic) puzzle game and the story isn't fully presented via the gameplay, dialogues and environmental storytelling. A part is put in computers you have to find and then read text. So parts of the incredible story are similar to cutscene-like storytelling disconnected a bit in my opinion. But I still recommend.… Expand
  7. Crimert
    Mar 21, 2020
    8
    One of the best puzzle games I have ever played. I really liked the art, design, concept and gameplay. I advise it to anyone who likes this genre. 5hrs on record.
  8. Wrathzo
    Mar 20, 2022
    8
    The Swapper is a puzzle-platform video game for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It was developed and published by Facepalm Games, a small independent company based in Helsinki, Finland. A science fiction-themed title, the player controls a female scavenger stranded aboard an abandoned research station, and discovers a strange device that allows her to create clones of herself andThe Swapper is a puzzle-platform video game for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It was developed and published by Facepalm Games, a small independent company based in Helsinki, Finland. A science fiction-themed title, the player controls a female scavenger stranded aboard an abandoned research station, and discovers a strange device that allows her to create clones of herself and switch her consciousness between these clones. The player uses this ability to solve various puzzles and learn about the fate of the station's researchers.… Expand
  9. unfortunateith
    Jul 28, 2020
    9
    What is ‘self’? What is consciousness? What does it mean to be alive? Is this a course on ontological philosophy? Nope! It’s The Swapper, a game that will test your mental mettle in more ways than one.

    At its core, The Swapper is a solid, challenging minimalist puzzler. But it’s also so much more. The game is absolutely dripping with atmosphere. The dimly lit space station is equal    What is ‘self’? What is consciousness? What does it mean to be alive? Is this a course on ontological philosophy? Nope! It’s The Swapper, a game that will test your mental mettle in more ways than one.

    At its core, The Swapper is a solid, challenging minimalist puzzler. But it’s also so much more.

    The game is absolutely dripping with atmosphere. The dimly lit space station is equal parts threatening and inviting, the somber soundtrack which follows the player on their journey could not be better suited to the game’s lonely mood. Exploring the enigmatic station is fascinating in and of itself, but the brief zero-gravity jaunts are definite highlights, and potentially some of the most cathartic experiences in all of gaming. Tying everything together is the weighty, gorgeous, hand-crafted art. Hand-crafted, by the way, is meant here in the most literal sense. Just about everything in the game was physically molded from clay before being placed in the game (think digitized claymation), and the result is a feeling of weight and realness unlike anything you’re likely to have seen before.

    As The Swapper progresses, those questions I mentioned above begin to quietly come into play. Ever-so-subtly, one snippet of dialogue at a time, the game begins to plant seeds of doubt in the player’s mind; doubt not only about their place and actions in the game’s world, but also about more universal concepts of existence which are very much applicable the real world. The Swapper makes no grand claims and forces nothing on the player. It merely coaxes complex ideas into the light. Whether or not you examine them is your choice.

    I wish I could provide specifics, but part of the wonder of The Swapper is uncovering both the mystery and the philosophy for oneself. Give it a try.    … Expand
  10. Topoide
    Feb 18, 2022
    8
    No soy tan fan de los puzzles pero este logra ser un juego interesante con una mecánica innovadora.
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best PC Game of 2013
71
#71 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Kill Screen
    Aug 4, 2014
    77
    The game is not about death or life but about the soul leaving the body and heading someplace new. It’s about the brief moment it spends flying.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 24, 2013
    80
    A puzzle platformer that won't frustrate nor bore you. The puzzles complete a solid story, which is unique even for an indie game. [Issue#234]
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 7, 2013
    87
    The Swapper is a first-rate puzzle platformer that boasts a gorgeous atmosphere as well. The story doesn't quite live up to its potential, though, but it's not a major issue. [Aug 2013]
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