HIVESWAP: ACT 1
- September 14, 2017
- What Pumpkin Games, Inc.
- 3h median play time
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
Get on Steam"HIVESWAP: ACT 1" is a pixel art adventure game where you play as Jude, a teenage boy who swaps lives with a troll named Joey. Explore the trolls' kingdom, solve puzzles, and uncover the mystery of the Hiveswap game while navigating the challenges of high school life. Engaging characters, humor, and a captivating story make this a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.
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Reviews
- Beautiful artwork and animations that capture the essence of the Homestuck universe.
- Witty and humorous writing with plenty of unique flavor text for item interactions.
- Engaging story and characters that are relatable and well-developed.
- Extremely short gameplay, taking only 2-4 hours to complete.
- Some puzzles can be too easy or straightforward, lacking challenge.
- Technical issues such as crashes and resolution problems at launch.
- story724 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Hiveswap: Act 1" is engaging and charming, featuring well-written characters and a narrative that, while rooted in the "Homestuck" universe, stands alone for newcomers. Players appreciate the humor, art style, and music, though many express disappointment at the episodic format and the game's relatively short length, leaving them eager for future acts to continue the story. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of "Homestuck" while providing a fresh and accessible experience for both fans and newcomers alike.
“The story is engaging and the characters are interesting.”
“The writing is funny and still has the perfect homestuck vibe, story is enjoyable, music is good and the characters are all lovable.”
“The story is shaping up to be really interesting!”
“However, it is missing some of the unique things that Homestuck has done well in terms of story and world-building, but I still think it manages to do well enough so far.”
“The story was said to be a prequel to Homestuck but is obviously not yet completed.”
“I can only recommend this to people who don't mind leaving a story unfinished, or those who are very patient as I've found no indication of when/whether Act 2 will be coming out.”
- music623 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Hiveswap: Act 1" has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its catchy and immersive quality, largely attributed to the talents of composers Toby Fox and James Roach. Players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the game's whimsical art style and enhances the overall atmosphere, although some have noted a desire for more variety in the tracks. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, effectively capturing the charm and humor reminiscent of the original "Homestuck" webcomic.
“The music is simply fantastic, the art is beautiful and really well done, the writing just has that natural homestuck charm to it, and the gameplay feels mostly logical for the homestuck universe.”
“The soundtrack, composed by James Roach and Toby Fox, is really high-quality and does a wonderful job of capturing the 'whimsical grand adventure' sort of style that helped make Homestuck so popular.”
“The music complements it perfectly, too—none too dramatic, and atmospheric without overtly dictating how you’re supposed to feel.”
“The music that plays while you're playing and the music that plays during important scenes have almost no distinction, making their emotional impact practically non-existent.”
“I feel that if you replaced the soundtrack with generic free internet music, there wouldn't have been a big difference.”
“The music is fine and works for the atmosphere, but it's not memorable, so I wouldn't recommend buying the soundtrack.”
- humor322 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Hiveswap: Act 1" is widely praised for its clever writing, quirky charm, and faithful replication of the original "Homestuck" comic's style. Players appreciate the abundance of funny dialogue, unique item interactions, and humorous cutscenes that contribute to a lighthearted and engaging experience. While some feel the humor may not reach the heights of the comic, it remains enjoyable and accessible, making it a delightful entry point for both fans and newcomers.
“The humor isn't outstanding, but it's my favorite kind of humor.”
“The writing is hilarious and filled with references for fans of Homestuck to revel in; the art manages to establish a beautiful, hand-drawn style that builds upon the classic look of MSPA perfectly.”
“The game is charming and lovable, and anybody who likes or has liked Homestuck, or enjoys fun and humorous games, will love it!”
“The lengthy dialogues and jokes often feel forced and unfunny.”
“The humor falls flat, with many attempts at jokes missing the mark.”
“I found the comedic elements to be more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- graphics301 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful hand-drawn art style, vibrant animations, and detailed backgrounds that enhance the overall immersive experience. Many reviewers noted the charming character designs and the effective use of color, which contribute to a nostalgic yet fresh aesthetic reminiscent of the original Homestuck comic. While some minor graphical glitches were reported, they did not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the visuals, which are often described as stunning and engaging.
“The graphics are utterly beautiful with that touch of silliness that Hussie puts in.”
“The artwork is amazing, each screen is filled to the brim with things to look at.”
“The visuals and animation are absolutely stunning, the storyline is funny, intriguing, and mysterious.”
“You either have graphical errors or no cutscenes.”
“The most glaring downside I've noticed is mostly the graphics and UI, which are prone to glitches and can often impede gameplay and problem solving.”
“As of writing, the game suffers some occasional graphic bugs, depending on your resolution, including improperly aligned cameras.”
- gameplay253 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this point-and-click adventure game is generally described as simple and linear, with a focus on puzzle-solving that can become repetitive. While the art, music, and writing are praised for their quality and charm, many reviewers note that the gameplay lacks complexity and depth, often feeling more like a visual novel than a traditional game. Overall, it offers a fun experience for fans of the genre and the source material, but its short playtime (around 2-3 hours) and straightforward mechanics may not justify the price for all players.
“The gameplay is fun and refreshing.”
“The writing is quirky and passionate, the art is exceptionally adorable and detailed, the music is simple yet always thematically on point and just lovely to hear, and the gameplay is quite easy but does really well to serve as the medium for the story itself.”
“Chock-full of quintessentially homestuck humor, beautiful artwork, and that good ol' point-and-click gameplay, this is a fun way to spend a couple of hours of your time and relax.”
“The gameplay is just puzzle solving; I think there is only one solution to every problem, and only one possible outcome. There aren't optional sections either, if I recall correctly.”
“The gameplay isn't remarkable; it's a basic point-and-click. I love that genre to death, but there isn't much you can say about their actual play.”
“For being in development for 5 years, only having 2 hours of gameplay and splitting the game up into acts like the webcomic was a very bad idea.”
- stability55 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting various glitches and bugs, particularly related to the user interface and cutscenes. While some users noted that many issues have been patched since launch, others still experienced minor visual glitches and gameplay interruptions. Overall, while the game is playable and enjoyable, it is recommended to wait for further updates to address the remaining stability concerns.
“What about performance: it works well even on slightly above the minimal requirements, with no glitches or bugs.”
“I had one problem upon trying to initiate a strife while the ballet shoes were selected, and had to force close the game because it froze, but other than that it's been bug free.”
“Charming, but pretty buggy.”
“The most glaring downside I've noticed is mostly the graphics and UI, which are prone to glitches and can often impede gameplay and problem solving.”
“Sometimes the cursor is very buggy with recognizing things, the screen keeps oddly shifting and gets visual glitches (such as slivers of the last scene showing on the border, etc.), screenshots come out awfully cropped in windowed mode, there isn't a borderless window mode, there are save corrupting crashes.”
- emotional35 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players expressing feelings of nostalgia, happiness, and even tears during their experience. While some found the story heartwarming and the characters lovable, others noted that the emotional impact could be inconsistent, with moments of genuine sentiment overshadowed by a lack of depth in exploration. Overall, the game is described as a wholesome and touching experience, albeit with some limitations in its emotional storytelling.
“This game made me feel very nostalgic for the actual Homestuck comic, but it's a good game in its own right, and you don't need any prior knowledge to follow the story.”
“God, when I played this, I cried tears of happiness.”
“The first act, though short, had me super happy and also pulled some emotional tears from me at the end.”
- atmosphere31 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, enhanced by beautiful art, fluid animations, and a fitting soundtrack that complements the mood without being overpowering. Reviewers note the charming character designs and detailed backgrounds, which contribute to a cozy and engaging experience reminiscent of 90s aesthetics. While some feel it lacks the meta elements of similar works, the overall ambiance and storytelling create a captivating environment that players enjoy exploring.
“The music and art are absolutely gorgeous and cute, and I love the atmosphere of the entire game.”
“The game is beautiful; the art is atmospheric and lush and just a treat to look at.”
“This game is so packed full of charm, style, and atmosphere.”
“The music is fine and works for the atmosphere, but it's not memorable, so I wouldn't recommend buying the soundtrack.”
“A very small complaint is how there were just these moments of almost silence where I think they could have tried to work more on sound design of the monsters to help get the atmosphere of the scene across.”
“In Homestuck, art always feels second to the content, and the whole aim of the narrative was to create this bizarre 'meta' atmosphere.”
- character development21 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players appreciating the depth and personality of characters like Joey and Jude, as well as the engaging dialogue that blends humor with meaningful growth. The character designs and animations are noted for their charm, contributing to a rich narrative experience that encourages players to explore relationships and outcomes. Overall, the combination of strong writing, appealing visuals, and thoughtful character interactions creates a compelling and immersive experience.
“The character design is wonderful and characters actually seem to have personality instead of just being there to support the plot of the game.”
“It's an evolving spectrum of character development and the friendliness and care shown between the characters about what is and isn't a good relationship between two people is really enlightening for the player as well as the characters themselves.”
“Great writing, gorgeous art, a banging soundtrack and some solid character development.”
“It lacks the substance, lacks the proper character development and generally lacks the charm that Homestuck had.”
“Clicking on random things and getting character developments through that can be a lengthy job.”
“It's only act 1, but the little bits of story and character development we've gotten so far have sucked me in.”
- replayability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variety of hidden achievements and the encouragement to explore different item combinations, many feel that the short playtime limits its long-term appeal. Some reviews suggest that after experiencing the content and unlocking achievements, replay value diminishes significantly. However, fans of the genre may still find enough enjoyment to warrant multiple playthroughs.
“It's got a good amount of replayability, enough for your money's worth, in my opinion, and it even brings over to act 2, so there's all sorts of extras you can do with replaying act 1 to get new and different things with the stuff picked up there.”
“It even has loads of hidden achievements to promote replayability, which I think is neat.”
“There's some replayability, especially since you're practically encouraged to try every item and weapon with everything.”
“Zero replayability.”
“Very short and not a lot of replay value except for the hidden achievements, but it's only part 1.”
“It's just simply a fun game, though I think that after people experience all of the combinations and get each achievement, it will have a clear lack of replay value, that is until the next game comes out and we see what will become of Hiveswap.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious, particularly during the second half, where players encounter repetitive roadblocks and unclear navigation. While some players appreciate the exploration and humor, others find the backtracking and text-heavy content frustrating, leading to a reliance on guides and diminishing enjoyment. Overall, the experience can vary significantly based on individual preferences for pacing and style.
“This makes a second playthrough more tedious than it has to be, especially during the second half of the game.”
“When the protagonist is faced with an unending tedious barrage of roadblocks getting between them and a simple task that drives the plot forward, it's hilarious in theory, but when the player has to endure that themselves, it's somewhat infuriating. They will probably find themselves needing to look up a guide to figure out what they're supposed to be doing.”
“On top of that, some of the sequence of events is tedious, involving backtracking, and the pathing to doors is not always clear.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived as disappointing, with some users labeling it as an easy cash grab, especially when compared to the high standards set by its spiritual predecessor, Homestuck. While some suggest that the game could be worth the price of microtransactions, overall sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction with its value.
“If you're considering spending $8 on microtransactions, I recommend buying this game instead.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure you to spend money to enjoy the game.”
“I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without forcing you to make purchases.”
“Easy cash grab, I guess.”
“If you're thinking of buying 8 dollars worth of microtransactions, buy this instead.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while some players report good performance even on slightly above minimum requirements, others highlight severe issues, including frequent crashes during cutscenes and overall poor optimization, making it difficult to recommend. Many hope for improvements in future updates.
“The performance is impressive; it runs smoothly even on systems that are just above the minimum requirements, with no glitches or bugs.”
“I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it maintains a steady frame rate and responsiveness throughout.”
“The optimization is top-notch, allowing for a seamless experience even on lower-end hardware.”
“This game is amazing, and I love it so much as a big Homestuck fan, but I can't recommend it because it's really poorly optimized. There's a chance it'll crash during cutscenes or just not play them. I'm hoping for it to get fixed by the time Act 2 comes out and that we don't get the same problem there.”
“But one fatal flaw that I cannot forgive is that it's the most poorly optimized game I've ever played, no joke.”
