HIVESWAP: ACT 1

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,219 reviews

story586 positive mentions

stability104 negative mentions

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.

story
1,448 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
58%
2%
The story of "Hiveswap: Act 1" is engaging and charming, featuring well-developed characters and a narrative that appeals to both fans of the original "Homestuck" webcomic and newcomers alike. While the game is relatively short and leaves players wanting more, it effectively sets up a larger arc with humor and emotional depth, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy story-driven games. However, some players express concern over the episodic format and the potential for the story to remain unfinished, echoing frustrations with the broader "Homestuck" franchise.
- “It's a beautiful point and click game stuffed full of homestuck references, but you don't need to have read the comic to enjoy the story here.”
- “The story is cute and I almost cried at the end; it's so moody and cool and great!”
- “The story is engaging and the characters are interesting.”
- “However, it is missing some of the unique things that Homestuck has done well story and world-building wise, but I still think it manages to do well enough so far.”
- “Not really related to this game in particular, but I will acknowledge that the creators behind Homestuck and this game by extension seem to really mismanage everything they do for some time now and don't seem to know what they're doing anymore, which is honestly the main reason for the downfall of the 'franchise' as a whole, which is all kinda problematic and I'm worried this story will go unfinished.”
- “Honestly, this would be a near perfect entry in this genre if it was a complete game, and I sincerely hope one day I can amend this review with that in mind, but as it stands just one episode in to what is obviously a much bigger story, all I can say is that you will be left somewhat hanging and hoping for more, hopefully sooner than later.”
music
1,246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
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 enhances the game's whimsical atmosphere and complements the storytelling, although some noted a desire for more variety in the tracks. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, effectively capturing the charm of the original "Homestuck" webcomic while also appealing to new players.
- “The music is excellent, not surprising for Toby Fox.”
- “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 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 graphics are nice, but the characters are one-key (they don't really get enough time to be fleshed out), the music is not very good or memorable, and the game is really short.”
- “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.”
humor
644 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Hiveswap: Act 1" is widely praised for its clever writing, quirky charm, and the signature style reminiscent of the original "Homestuck" webcomic. Players appreciate the abundance of funny dialogue, item interactions, and humorous cutscenes, which often lead to laugh-out-loud moments. While some feel the humor may not reach the heights of the comic, it remains engaging and accessible, making it enjoyable for both fans and newcomers alike.
- “At certain points when you solve a puzzle, it moves through a short cutscene to make sure the (sometimes laugh-out-loud funny) outcome hits at exactly the right moment.”
- “The humor, the story, the characters, music, and animation!”
- “The writing is hilarious - full of clever wordplay and pigeon antics and witty dialogue, but it also delves into some affecting subject matter (absent parents, classism, toxic friendships) with sincerity and sensitivity.”
- “Lengthy dialogues and jokes that are often forced or unfunny.”
- “Lengthy dialogues and jokes that are often forced or unfunny.”
graphics
602 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The graphics in "Hiveswap" are widely praised for their beautiful hand-drawn art style, vibrant colors, and charming animations that evoke nostalgia for classic point-and-click games. Many reviewers highlight the attention to detail in the backgrounds and character designs, which enhance the overall immersive experience. While some users noted minor graphical bugs, these did not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the game's stunning visuals and engaging soundtrack.
- “The graphics are pretty impressive, all of it drawn and cell-shaded, and looks really nice and has that MSPA feel.”
- “The artwork is beautiful and the major cutscenes are just astounding.”
- “The visuals and soundtrack are absolutely stunning, and the references to Homestuck are both enjoyable to those who have read the webcomic, and not confusing to those who haven't.”
- “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.”
gameplay
506 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
66%
6%
The gameplay of "Hiveswap" is primarily a standard point-and-click adventure, featuring simple puzzle-solving mechanics that can become repetitive and linear. While the art, music, and writing are praised for their quality and charm, many players feel the gameplay lacks depth and complexity, with an average playtime of around 2-3 hours, leading to concerns about its value for the price. Overall, it appeals more to fans of the "Homestuck" universe, but may disappoint those seeking intricate gameplay or longer content.
- “The gameplay is fun and refreshing.”
- “The writing has that silly charm that is so uniquely homestuck, and the gameplay is simple but sometimes tricky point-and-click style puzzle solving.”
- “The art style was also gorgeous, and the gameplay was engaging and fun; I would recommend it to anyone, even if you haven't read Homestuck :)”
- “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.”
stability
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
2%
95%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting various glitches and bugs, particularly related to the user interface, cutscenes, and visual elements. While some users noted that many issues have been patched since launch, others still experienced significant problems that affected gameplay. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, potential players are advised to wait for further updates to address the remaining stability concerns.
- “What about performance: it works good even on slightly above the minimal requirements, 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 (excepting the alternian cuisine of course).”
- “Charming, but pretty buggy.”
- “There are a few glitches in the game, particularly the cutscenes freezing, which is a major problem for getting the story, but I'm sure it will be patched soon if it hasn't been already.”
- “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.), and there are save-corrupting crashes.”
emotional
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 of the music and narrative could be inconsistent. Overall, the game is described as a wholesome and touching journey, though its brevity and limited exploration may leave some players wanting more depth.
- “Between great puzzles, art, music, and a heartwarming story, I believe this game was worth the wait, well maybe not the whole ten years.”
- “God, when I played this I cried tears of happiness.”
- “Overall, the game was very heartfelt and sweet; the characters we've been given so far are precious.”
atmosphere
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
50%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, enhanced by a beautiful art style and a fitting soundtrack that complements the various moods throughout the experience. Players appreciate the charming character designs, detailed backgrounds, and the cozy, 90s-inspired ambiance, which collectively create a rich and engaging environment. While some note that the music could be more memorable, the overall atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making the game enjoyable for its storytelling and character interactions.
- “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.”
- “Has a very relaxing and nostalgic atmosphere, being set in 1994.”
- “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.”
- “The music is fine and works for the atmosphere but it's not memorable, so that I wouldn't recommend buying the soundtrack.”
- “At this point, I recommend the game for the atmosphere, storytelling, and characters, not for the gameplay itself.”
character development
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
48%
10%
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 evolving relationships and interactions among characters provide insightful reflections on friendship and personal dynamics, enhancing the overall narrative experience. While some critiques mention a lack of substance compared to previous works, the combination of charming character designs, animations, and well-crafted writing contributes to a compelling character-driven story.
- “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.”
- “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 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.”
replayability
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting a decent amount of replay value due to hidden achievements and the ability to explore different item combinations, while others criticize it for being short and lacking substantial content for multiple playthroughs. Overall, it offers enough variety to keep fans engaged, but many feel it may not sustain interest after initial experiences.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “What's here is great, the writing is funny as hell and the music is superb, but it's got all the playtime and replayability of similar fare, like Telltale games.”
grinding
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for its tediousness, particularly during the second half, where players encounter frustrating roadblocks and backtracking that detracts from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the exploration and humor, many find the gameplay overly text-heavy and cumbersome, often leading them to seek guides for progression. Overall, the game's design can feel inconvenient and repetitive, making it less enjoyable for those not aligned with its comedic 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, and 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.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
17%
67%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with some reviewers feeling that it fails to meet the high expectations set by its comparison to Homestuck. Many users suggest that the game's microtransactions do not offer sufficient value, leading to disappointment in its overall execution.
- “If you're considering spending $8 on microtransactions, I recommend purchasing this game instead.”
- “Easy cash grab, I guess.”
- “If you're thinking of buying 8 dollars worth of microtransactions, buy this instead.”
- “Advertising yourself as a spiritual successor of Homestuck puts you against a very high standard, but this is how I felt about the game even before I knew about Homestuck. Comparing it to Homestuck only makes it a lot more disappointing; whereas before that, I didn't have expectations and thought it was just another underwhelming game.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with users reporting frequent crashes during cutscenes and overall poor performance, despite some players experiencing smooth gameplay on slightly above minimum requirements. Many fans express hope for improvements in future updates, particularly with the release of Act 2.
- “What about performance: it works well even on slightly above the minimal requirements, with no glitches or bugs.”
- “But one fatal flaw that I cannot forgive is that it's the most poorly optimized game I've ever played, no joke.”
- “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 and chances it'll crash during cutscenes or just not play them. Hoping for it to get fixed by the time Act 2 comes out and that we don't get the same problem there.”