Isle of Swaps

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 81 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Isle of Swaps Game Cover
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In "Isle of Swaps," compete in the Critter Combat craze by collecting and trading cards with varied stats, abilities, and elements. Build a strong deck with compatible Skill cards and Critters, while considering weaknesses and resistances. The game encourages strategic deck-building and thoughtful team composition for success in Critter Challenges.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 81 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
  • Isle of Swaps offers a charming and nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic TCGs, with engaging gameplay that combines deck-building and trading mechanics.
  • The game features a variety of critters and card types, allowing for diverse strategies and synergies, making each run feel unique and rewarding.
  • The art style is delightful, with well-designed cards and characters that enhance the overall aesthetic and enjoyment of the game.
  • The game suffers from balance issues, with some enemies being disproportionately strong compared to the player's deck, leading to frustrating encounters.
  • The user interface can be cumbersome, particularly when navigating the card binder and swapping cards, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • There are concerns about the depth of content and replayability, as some players feel the game lacks sufficient variety and challenge after a few runs.
  • gameplay37 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received, offering a solid mix of strategic deck-building and engaging mechanics reminiscent of traditional trading card games, particularly with its roguelike elements and master binder feature. However, some players note a lack of variety due to overlapping card effects and a feeling of monotony in the gameplay loop, alongside concerns about card balance and the handling of evolution mechanics. Overall, while the game is accessible and visually appealing, it may not provide the depth or complexity that some players seek.

    • “The gameplay is solid and will provide tons of hours of fun for those that like the genre.”
    • “With the cards' variety and mechanics, you can create countless combinations, crafting decks that are not only fun but also challenging to play.”
    • “The critter cards are beautifully designed, the mechanics are engaging, and the game's progression feels rewarding.”
    • “Honestly, I know this game came out, but the balance of the cards feels off. While there are advertised to be 300+ cards, many are basically reskins with an additional type (which affects what cards can be played on them). The gameplay loop feels monotonous.”
    • “I find the gameplay itself to be just a little bit simple—think of it like a truncated and faster-paced version of the Pokémon trading card game.”
    • “The game definitely has some good points, the art style is cute, the game loop is interesting enough, it leans on a lot of understandable mechanics from the Pokémon card game, but if you've not played this, then you might miss some things because the tutorial isn't great.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with many praising the charming schoolyard setting and the beautiful card art that evokes nostalgia for classic card games like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh. While some players find the 3D character art less appealing, the overall aesthetic is considered cute and well-designed, effectively capturing the essence of a playground atmosphere. The variety in card illustrations adds to the visual appeal, although inconsistencies in art styles for the same character were noted.

    • “The schoolyard setting and diorama aesthetic are incredibly charming.”
    • “The art style and design of the cards is fantastic and the ability to use all of your unlocked cards in a 'master' tournament at the end is great.”
    • “The way the game is designed graphically, the card illustrations, the gameplay, the collecting... it really can't get any better.”
    • “I am not super into the art style of the 3D characters (seems like the devs have other similar looking games), but the art of the cards and critters is great!”
    • “Had an eye on it for a while but thought I would wait for reviews as the art style is a bit... meh.”
    • “In the screenshots, the art style, featuring everything from clowxium to profinech, reflects a style reminiscent of beloved card games like Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh, but with its own flair.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its bright and cheerful soundtrack, evoking a sense of nostalgia and playfulness reminiscent of childhood adventures. The opening school bell effectively sets the atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with fun and engaging tunes that complement the game's lighthearted tone.

    • “The soundtrack is bright and cheery, with just enough intensity to evoke the feeling of being a kid at the playground who's pretending to engage in some world-deciding battles between classes without the game actually taking itself that seriously.”
    • “Also, the music is nothing but nostalgic fire.”
    • “The music is fun to listen to, and the starting school bell when you open the game sets the atmosphere really well.”
    • “The soundtrack is bright and cheery, with just enough intensity to evoke the feeling of being a kid at the playground who's pretending to engage in some world-deciding battles, without the game actually taking itself that seriously.”
    • “The music is nothing but nostalgic fire.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game offers strong replayability through various viable builds, multiple modes, and four playable characters, making it enjoyable for many hours. However, some players note that once all content is completed, the replay value may diminish. Despite this, the experience remains fun and engaging throughout.

    • “Lots of fun viable builds and great replayability.”
    • “Isle of Swaps is a very charming game with great replayability.”
    • “With multiple modes and 4 playable characters, this game is definitely worth its asking price, is fun and replayable.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The game is praised for its monetization model, offering over 400 cards without any microtransactions, making it an appealing choice for players who enjoy trading card games without the pressure of additional costs. This approach is particularly attractive to those who prefer single-player experiences and dislike microtransactions.

    • “When you remember that it's over 400 cards without any microtransactions, then it really does hammer home how good of a deal it is.”
    • “It's a SP TCG game with simple to learn yet hard to master mechanics, good balance, and no microtransactions whatsoever.”
    • “If you like Pokémon/Magic style TCG but don't want to get into multiplayer games (in my case, it's because I hate microtransactions), then this game is for you.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, but players must rely on the touchscreen or trackpad for controls, indicating a potential issue with traditional input methods.

    • “I have been playing on my Steam Deck, and the game runs great, providing a stable experience.”
    • “The game maintains a consistent frame rate, which enhances the overall stability during gameplay.”
    • “I've experienced minimal bugs and crashes, making the game feel very stable and reliable.”
  • story1 mentions

    The story is not particularly deep, but the beautiful card art captures the charm of Pokémon cards, complemented by a cute playground aesthetic.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by enjoyable music and the nostalgic sound of a school bell at the start, effectively immersing players in the school setting.

    • “The music is fun to listen to, and the starting school bell when you open the game sets the atmosphere really well.”
    • “The game's environment is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the world.”
    • “The combination of visuals and sound design creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that draws you in.”
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