The Swindle

I was coming off the back of GMTK's recommendation with its 100-day time pressure. However, the level design--random generation that doesn't always allow full access--and abysmal platforming controls leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Before you go on to the second of five stages, you must have the following: Hack L1 ($100), Hack L2 ($3000), Double Jump L1 ($600) at a MINIMUM. Wall Jump L1 ($1000) and Movement ($600) are also necessary if you don't want to be pulling your hair out in frustration. That's at least $3700. In the first level you can make a maximum of $900 and change (if you're not spotted) and the first upgrade will be Hack and Double Jump and then you'll make about $2000 every time you do the first stage IF you're not spotted and IF you don't fall into spikes because of the shoddy controls. It's a fucking grind. If I had got this on Steam, I'd get a refund.

For short, these are the three qualities you're going to need to beat this game. If you can't accept repeated failure, do not play this game for it will only harm you. If you do see a semi-success as still a success and if you enjoy the concept of a stealth platformer, then it is a really nice game for you. Skill, because there's always a way for you to succeed : you might not have unlocked the skill yet (after all, what would be the point in starting already maxed out in everything?), or you might lock yourself in a dead-end (careful with these spiky caterpillar-like bots), but I have yet to see a level that cannot possibly be beaten. Remember that you will need to get out after getting in. Luck, because you'll inevitably mess up at some point, be it a poorly-timed jump or a lack of oversight, and you can only pray you won't get caught/will survive. Patience, because you will fail. A lot, and that's OK. You will also spend a lot of time waiting in some dark corner waiting for the enemy patterns to align, but that's what stealth is : as long as you are not discovered, there is no timer, so don't rush it. However, as soon as you are discovered, it's all about grabbing as much cash as you can before running away, which makes the game suddenly much faster. Some may see it as unforgiving, but a 50% success is always better than a complete failure, and still represents a nice amount of cash. The controls may take a while to get used to (or to remap to something more practical for you), but most of you should have enough fingers on two hands (tried to play with one, did not go well) to have your thief do instantly what you want him to. Points taken for having the upgrade menu locked in qwerty. The skills are varied but all have their use (except, maybe, action hero, but that's just my take) and you'll want them all for the final challenge. The steampunk design is quite pleasant, though some won't stand the songs' 'tick-tock' rhythm. 8/10, would steal the basilisk again.

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 game is simple in it's design, but very effective. What I find funny is the more I play the game the more I enjoy the first levels where you almost have no skills and you have to acquire the basics. 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 absolutely loved it in the end. It's one of the few games that I keep coming back every year or two. It has a very neat core concept, and it's a shame that they never made a sequel.

I find it odd that the game is listed as a roleplaying game in the tags at the moment. It's more of a rogue lite platformer with maybe minor RPG elements in that you unlock more abilities and areas as you progress and steal more money, but platforming stealth action is at its heart. I have the game on another service and I thought it was a good fun with some very annoyng moments. More polish would've been needed but what's rough isn't so rough that it would undermine my enjoyment of the pretty unique combination of elements on offer here.

I understand why people give so low ratings. The game is not for everyone - only for master thieves. Controls and mechanics aren't perfect but if you will spend some time with the game they will become familiar. Bugs: Personally I think that people don't see some sophisticated mechanics (example: You cannot jump when you are sliding on floors handrail) and consider them as bugs. Anyway, the game is very frustrating and if you are not able to find the calm rhythm of your heart You won't like it. Only for pro-stealth players who love challange. Pros: great idea for a stealth game and punishing players, wonderful platformer, if you are pro-stealth player you will forgive bugs and unintuitive player control, because of understanding it and avoiding it (it is very easy when you have tools in late-game and even forces You to make decisions - use tool or risk a bug) Cons: unfair level generator (I understand that authors wanted to show that we need some tools from the beginning, but they overacted a little bit), few bugs