Hiveswap Friendsim

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,052 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • music
Hiveswap Friendsim Game Cover
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"Hiveswap Friendsim" is a visual novel game where players interact with characters from the Homestuck universe. It features a series of episodic storylines with multiple endings based on player choices. The game is a spin-off of the popular webcomic Homestuck, and allows players to explore and develop relationships with its diverse cast of characters.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,052 reviews
humor109 positive mentions
monetization4 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fun and humorous exploration of Alternian culture and the lives of trolls, making it enjoyable for both fans and newcomers.
  • Each character is unique and well-written, providing a variety of entertaining routes and endings.
  • The art and music enhance the experience, with catchy soundtracks and charming visuals that capture the essence of the Homestuck universe.
  • The game is quite short, with each route taking only about 30 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • Some players found the art inconsistent and rushed, leading to a less polished overall presentation.
  • The narrative can feel forced at times, with some characters' motivations and backstories lacking depth.
  • humor109 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, dark undertones, and absurdity, often reminiscent of the original "Homestuck" series. Players appreciate the quirky characters and witty dialogue, which range from lighthearted to morbidly funny, creating a unique blend of comedy and emotional depth. While some find the humor to be hit-or-miss, overall, it is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's charm and appeal, particularly for fans of the franchise.

    • “Amazing game! The humor in the writing always brings a smile to me; exquisite dark humor as well.”
    • “It's a funny and morbid shitpost of a game.”
    • “The writing is charming and has me laughing out loud at points; the characters are all diversely unique and interesting, not a single one alike.”
  • story100 mentions

    The story of Hiveswap Friendsim is a complex blend of humor and dark themes, exploring the lives of trolls in a society filled with despair. While the narrative starts off simple and silly, it evolves into a more intricate and interconnected tale as players progress through the volumes, offering engaging character backstories and a unique perspective on the Homestuck universe. However, some players feel that the later volumes sacrifice character development for plot setup, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall storytelling quality.

    • “It mixes humor with a really impactful story about a society that hates those who live in it and leaves them without hope.”
    • “The storytelling starts silly and fairly nonsensical, but as the volumes add up and the story goes on, the story and characters become more elaborate and interconnected.”
    • “Hiveswap Friendsim is an absolutely brilliant visual novel experience that builds from a fun episodic romp into a deeply poignant and powerful story that manages to never lose its charm or its unbeatable sense of humor along the way.”
    • “The story itself doesn't even let you see in the end if you'll even remember these characters; the choices and story are laid out for you, so you will never be attached to any of the friends you've made along the way. Considering the fanbase is dying to fill that void, it all goes down the drain as the second installment, Pesterquest, confirms that none of the friends here will own up to much because they are all long gone.”
    • “The dark humor and twisted world only make it worse, since they make the story and choices illogical in most cases.”
    • “The two characters are completely one-dimensional, and the storytelling is unsubtle and forced.”
  • music71 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. While some users noted occasional technical issues, such as delays or repetitive tracks, the majority highlighted the soundtrack's exceptional composition and its fitting accompaniment to character themes and storylines. Overall, the music is described as phenomenal, with many expressing a desire to purchase the soundtrack.

    • “The music is absolutely amazing.”
    • “The writing, music, and art are all amazing.”
    • “The music is really good and fits the themes of each troll; it doesn't get annoying.”
    • “The music also fails to load, or tears at some places, even though it wasn't played on a toaster.”
    • “The art and music feel rushed, the pacing is bad, and all of the endings are, in fact, bad endings.”
    • “Short, unpolished, and outright lazy music.”
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the art style as cute and enjoyable, particularly in later character designs, while others criticize the early visuals as amateurish and inconsistent. Many players appreciate the unique flair and expression in the artwork, but some find it lacking polish and refinement. Overall, the visuals are seen as a blend of charming and budget-friendly, contributing to the game's character-driven storytelling.

    • “As always with Homestuck games, the music and artwork go above and beyond.”
    • “I love the feel of the game and how cute the artwork is!”
    • “Absolutely stellar artwork, and certainly worth it for the price.”
    • “At first glance, I could already see mistakes and laziness in the artwork itself.”
    • “Unfortunately, the unpolished sprites with weird, inconsistent artwork just didn't charm me.”
    • “The graphics look like they were drawn by a four-year-old with the talent of Pablo Picasso in his prime.”
  • emotional24 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players expressing deep attachments to characters and experiencing a wide range of feelings, from laughter to tears. Many reviews highlight the impactful storytelling, character growth, and the balance between humor and serious themes, making the emotional moments resonate strongly. Overall, the game is recommended for its ability to evoke genuine emotional responses and create memorable connections with its characters.

    • “I cried when I reached the ending because I didn't want to leave this world and these trolls that I've come to love and care for so much as if they were actually my friends.”
    • “I laughed, I cried, I allowed the inescapable void of the epilogue to consume me.”
    • “I've lost count of how many times I cried actual tears while playing this.”
  • gameplay16 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as extremely simple and minimal, primarily focusing on character interactions rather than complex mechanics or a deep storyline. Players can expect short chapters and limited gameplay time, with each DLC adding only a small amount of content. While it may not satisfy those seeking extensive gameplay, it offers enjoyable character development and humor within its visual novel format.

    • “Whether it's a route about a silly boy that likes hot dogs too much or a deep cosmological message about the nature of time and the impact we make, the core gameplay loop reveals deep characters, funny jokes, and bouts of some of the best emotional intimacy a game in this genre has communicated.”
    • “Gameplay is simple enough, assuring everyone will have access to the full story of both Ardata and Diemen.”
    • “I've never expected a game like that especially from Homestuck merch, but to be honest I've been enjoying the gameplay in the base and all the volumes that came up.”
    • “It's a very simple game in all honesty, so I would not recommend it for someone looking for a storyline or much gameplay in general.”
    • “I get it's a visual novel and it's not supposed to have a huge amount of gameplay, but at the same time there's so little you get to do.”
    • “The only downside for me is that each chapter is pretty short, so in raw gameplay time the value for money isn't great unless you get it on sale.”
  • character development5 mentions

    The game excels in character development through engaging storytelling and unique character designs, with each character featuring their own background music that enhances their individuality. Players appreciate the depth added by befriending characters, which reveals their backstories and fosters a sense of connection, reminiscent of beloved narratives like Homestuck. Overall, the combination of character development and thematic elements contributes to a rich and immersive experience.

    • “The game has great character design, storytelling, and soundtrack (especially Cirava's vaporwave track). Playing it reminded me very much of the fond memories when reading Homestuck; it shared the same feelings of fondness while playing through it, and I really wish it still had more volumes coming.”
    • “Character designs are tons of fun, and each character (of the two I've befriended so far) seemed to have their own background music or theme.”
    • “I like how becoming friends with each of the characters provides some form of backstory or character development.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it lacks substantial content and resembles a free advertisement rather than a fully developed product. While it may not be priced excessively, the short length and perceived laziness in execution have left fans disappointed.

    • “Instead, we don’t get Hiveswap Act 2 and we get a lazy cash grab that just continues to be a symptom of Homestuck hitting mainstream and going big.”
    • “If it was a cash grab, it would have cost more, but if it was truly fan service, it should have had a bit more content to boot.”
    • “But I won't lie to you - this 'game' is incredibly short, and might as well have been a free advertisement flash game.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players appreciate that the grinding in the game is manageable, with typical routes taking about half an hour, making it feel less tedious compared to other visual novels. This balance allows for a more enjoyable experience without the need for excessive time investment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with players reporting frequent lag, visual glitches, and various bugs within a short playtime.

    • “The game runs very poorly; within 30 minutes of playing, I encountered significant lag and visual glitches.”
    • “There are numerous bugs and glitches that severely impact gameplay.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    While some users note that the presence of multiple failure states and character interactions offers a degree of replayability, others feel that the overall experience lacks sufficient depth to encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “The game offers multiple paths and endings, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “With various character choices and story outcomes, I find myself coming back for more.”
    • “I ran through it a few times, but there isn't much replayability.”
    • “Each character has a number of failure states and a true befriending, so there's a bit of replayability here.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is characterized by a blend of bizarre humor and a sense of cold-blooded violence, typical of Hussie's style, which some players find appealing.

  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of Hiveswap's first episode has been criticized for underperforming financially, especially given its significant impact on platforms like Newgrounds and its potential for merchandise sales.

    • “For a property that brought Newgrounds to its knees and supposedly generated millions of dollars in merchandise sales, Hiveswap's first episode was quite the financial underperformance.”
    • “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frustrating lag and crashes that ruin the overall experience.”
    • “Despite its potential, the lack of proper optimization makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
3-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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