The Swindle

 PC
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. Guardian
    Jul 31, 2015
    40
    This feels 80% of the way to a great game, but that missing 20% soon comes to dominate the rest. With a little more fine-tuning who knows how The Swindle may have turned out but, as things stand, it feels a little like being short-changed.
  2. Twinfinite
    Jul 30, 2015
    40
    The Swindle has some really cool ideas, and the sound and visuals make for one of the prettiest games out there. But, for players looking for something new or are intrigued by the steampunk aesthetic, the randomized barrier to entry may be a bit too much.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Jan 19, 2016
    A minor diversion at best, without the comic timing or cunning to turn anyone to a life of crime. A weekend of crime, perhaps, at most.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 8 out of 20
  1. xephnid
    Oct 23, 2015
    5
    The concept is amazing. The graphics are amazing and so is the music. This would be an amazing game were it not for the sloppy controls. IfThe concept is amazing. The graphics are amazing and so is the music. This would be an amazing game were it not for the sloppy controls. If you've seen gameplay footage and consider a buy, wait for the developer to rework the controls. If the developer doesn't invest more time, you shouldn't invest in the game. It's infuriating and frustrating to stumble upon a game that could have been great but doesn't live up to its potential. This game is a nice example what happens when a single person tries to make a big game. Yes, it's a very coherent mix and all the elements click, but he clearly didn't test enough. Maybe all the critique and bug reports will help him fix the game. We'll see. I'd love to increase my rating :(… Full Review »
  2. WagleUnagi
    Sep 19, 2015
    2
    I really want to love this. Great visuals, music and sound. But it is way too difficult. Starting the entire game over with absolutelyI really want to love this. Great visuals, music and sound. But it is way too difficult. Starting the entire game over with absolutely nothing isn't fun.… Full Review »
  3. martscht
    Aug 5, 2015
    7
    I like a lot of what this game is trying to do, but much of the realization of the ideas behind it are somewhere between a bit and sorelyI like a lot of what this game is trying to do, but much of the realization of the ideas behind it are somewhere between a bit and sorely lacking. The plus-minus:

    + The design and setting are beautiful
    + Long-term game and single levels are well balanced
    + A real sense of progression that keeps pulling you back in

    - Very steep difficulty curve
    - Loose controls are frustrating at times
    - Excruciating loading times on Vita

    I mainly got this game for Pass-the-Controller (or Vita) co-op after we got bored of Rogue Legacy. And just like Legacy the game strikes a very nice balance between the single levels (taking somewhere between 5 and 20 minutes) and the overarching leveling game. The latter is limited to exactly 100 levels, creating a sense of urgency at each level start. At the same time this limit often means that your run can be ruined after the start-up phase. What this means is that it is a game that is made for you to actually beat it - you will fail often. To add to this, the game is separated into several different subsections of escalating difficulty.

    This all seems like sound rogue-lite game design. But one of the core concepts is that you should keep your thief alive as long as possible because he gets a multiplier for each successful heist. Again, this sounds great - it creates the dilemma between keeping your thief alive to keep your multiplier and collecting more money each level to get more perks. But the truth of the matter is that this decision is often not up to you. The procedural level generation means that you quite often encounter levels that you cannot complete successfully. Additionally the reason for my thieves demise was most often not my greed - or pure panic after being detected - but the floatiness of the control scheme. Most often you will find yourself dead because you came up short on a jump you would normally make or because it seems somewhat arbitrary whether your thief will stick to a wall or simply fall to his death - and with him your multiplier. This ruins not just your level but can potentially ruin your entire run. Something that is already frustrating when it is your own fault but is just downright infuriating when it happens because of imprecise controls.

    To the game's credit: despite my frustrations with this I keep coming back to it because it enrages me in such a way that I want to beat it. I want to show it that despite all the curveballs it throws at me I can beat it - something that is a must for any successful rogue-lite in my opinion. Also, does not hurt that it's easy on the eyes with its beautifully hand-drawn steam punk art. At 14.99€ with PS4/Vita Cross-Buy it think you might want to give it a try if you're very resistant to frustrations and can adapt your play-style to floaty controls.    … Full Review »
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