SwapQuest

 PlayStation Vita
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6

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  1. storageheater
    May 29, 2017
    6
    This is a well polished low-budget puzzle game with 15 proper stages and a few smaller challenge stages sprinkled around. It's simple enough - swap tiles on a scrolling board so that your character can constantly progress, picking up treasure and defeating enemies along the way. Challenge stages can have you trying to deal with something on a fixed board, or puzzling out how to defeat aThis is a well polished low-budget puzzle game with 15 proper stages and a few smaller challenge stages sprinkled around. It's simple enough - swap tiles on a scrolling board so that your character can constantly progress, picking up treasure and defeating enemies along the way. Challenge stages can have you trying to deal with something on a fixed board, or puzzling out how to defeat a larger boss, though while I appreciate the variation I didn't often find them fun, even on easy mode.

    Bolted loosely onto this is an RPG mechanic where you exchange gems for better equipment, but it's really inessential - you can completely ignore it and still puzzle your way through the game, or you can upgrade skills and equipment at some length. There's six characters, 18 skills, assorted armor and weapons and status effects, so there is some variety there, but the levels are so similar it doesn't tempt you to replay it with a new character. Should you wish to max out your equipment to boost the game's longevity, the process of grinding isn't varied enough to remain enjoyable. Ideally, you'd have been able to switch characters at will, but they're locked to a save file. Replaying the game six times just to see what they do is a big ask.

    Frustratingly, my second save file (the one where I used the very easy "jump anywhere, let your dog collect treasure for you" one) was subject to a horrible glitch where about half the time the game stopped responding to touch controls. I went back to my first save and it remained fine, so that's something. Also, any google of "swapquest" brings up the widespread glitch that is that some crystals simply do not work - you need to collect all 12 - and one of them requires you to play the level up to 15 times for it to release (for me it was 8 times. All other crystals release just by tapping them or killing the red enemy holding them, they're not meant to be a big ordeal.)

    So, overall, it's a nice idea, presented extremely well, but it has a surprisingly short shelf life for a puzzle game and the RPG elements don't truly cohere with it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best PS Vita Game of 2016
24
#24 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2016
25
#25 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    May 8, 2016
    70
    While this unlikely combination works well enough in quick bursts, you'll breeze through the quest in around six hours. [May 2016, p.92]
  2. Gaming Age
    May 3, 2016
    58
    So you may want to take my criticisms with a heaping dose of salt. Just in case you don't, however, be aware that what lies ahead of you is going to be a rushed-yet-slow-moving experience.
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  3. Areajugones
    Apr 12, 2016
    70
    SwapQuest is an example that shows how easy things work really well, thanks to mechanics that fit perfectly into the genre. It is perfect for casual players, with elements that enhance the experience of solving puzzles without falling into excessive difficulty as other similar games.
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