The Swindle

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 5, 2015
    70
    A stripped-down sneak-fest. [Sept 2015, p.88]
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  2. COGconnected
    Aug 14, 2015
    70
    If you don’t mind a challenge and can deal with the level generation, this is a very fun and entertaining game. The concept is good, the execution just needs a bit of work.
  3. Metro GameCentral
    Jul 30, 2015
    70
    A clever spin on the Spelunky style of randomly-generated platformer, and although it asks a lot of its players its rewards are worth the effort.
  5. Push Square
    Jul 27, 2015
    70
    As a title to play over a weekend – or between other games with more substance – it can't really be knocked, but don't expect to be feeling light fingered forever.
  6. DarkStation
    Sep 1, 2015
    60
    I felt like I started the game rushing through each level and making little to no progress at all. But by the end of my time with it I felt like I had learned the ins and outs of the game, despite a few deaths I didn’t feel I had earned.
  7. We Got This Covered
    Aug 17, 2015
    60
    The uncompromisingly brutal difficulty of The Swindle will turn many off, but for those up to the challenge, the reward of thrilling thievery could very well be worth the effort.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 29
  3. Negative: 8 out of 29
  1. lastfox
    Sep 26, 2018
    8
    The Swindle is one of the better Rogue-like games out there.
    It has a very simple premise and can easily become addictive after a while.    The Swindle is one of the better Rogue-like games out there.
    It has a very simple premise and can easily become addictive after a while. There's a lot of replay-ability since the game is short and a lot of tools and gadgets invite the player to alter the strategy of playing. I enjoyed it, although I wish there was the possibility to select five different types of thieves who have different abilities than the others.

    The only big negative aspect is that there are serious bugs with the controls sometimes which is one of the reasons why I have given up to do a perfect run, since it's basically a gamble.
    Bugs include: invisible spikes, jumping often doesn't work if you're on sloping ground or on steps, characters uncontrollably sinking when standing on a ledge, character freezes sometimes after hacking a door etc It's little stuff that could be fixed with a patch but can get really annoying the more you become a pro.
    Another obstacle can be the visual style, although it's beautifully drawn, there are several occasions when the screen is just too busy that you overlook little enemies that can give you an insta-kill. The reason for that is that a lot of stuff is going on, on the screen. Even in the background, and the colors of some enemies are very similar to the BG and they blend in sometimes. I don't know if that was intended to make the game more difficult, but it could be fun if there is an 'easy version' where the visuals are slightly more cut'n dry, for beginners.

    I recommended it to several friends, but it's a bit hard to get into in the beginning, those who did persisted loved it in the end.    … Full Review »
  2. drlowdon
    Jun 25, 2017
    5
    The Swindle takes course over 100 days with the player sending thieves into 2d levels to steal money whilst avoiding security guards, camerasThe Swindle takes course over 100 days with the player sending thieves into 2d levels to steal money whilst avoiding security guards, cameras and other obstacles. Any money obtained can be spent upgrading characters, purchasing items or unlocking new areas with greater riches. If the thief is killed or captured before they can escape back to their airship however they lose any money that obtained that day.

    There is a lot to like about The Swindle with the gameplay being fast paced and fun and the risk/reward decisions as to when to escape with your loot. Unfortunately the game is let down badly by the procedurally generated levels that will often produce scenarios that are virtually impossible to get past without being spotted (and often killed as well). A perfect example of this are the occasions when the computer you need to access is sat right underneath a security camera making it impossible to hack without being seen. I’m all for challenging gameplay when it is designed as you know there’s a way around the problem, when it’s generated at random however it just becomes frustrating.    … Full Review »
  3. PictoPirate
    May 17, 2017
    8
    The Swindle is a brill steampunk steal-em-up adventure in the Spelunky mould that which is well worth giving a go. The journey from neophyteThe Swindle is a brill steampunk steal-em-up adventure in the Spelunky mould that which is well worth giving a go. The journey from neophyte footpad to master burglar is empowering and the procedural generation keeps everything fresh and interesting. If you can look past the odd glitchy level with nothing to steal and the sometimes sluggish controls there is a lot to love about Size Five Games crime caper. Now please excuse me I'm off back to the slums... it's time to get my loot on.… Full Review »
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