Shift Happens

Ever since I played LittleBigPlanet on my dad’s PS3 around 2008, I’ve loved platforming games that encourage you to rely on friends to make it through each level.

Starting at €14.99Buy now

Get on Steam

In Shift Happens, players control Bismo and Plom, two connected jello creatures who aren't afraid to change size and abilities to navigate through four diverse worlds. From a freaked-out laboratory to the bitingly cold caves, each level introduces new puzzles and challenges for players to tackle. While it's enjoyable for solo players, the game's full potential is experienced in multiplayer mode, encouraging teamwork and friendly competition.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 521 reviews

gameplay18 positive mentions

stability31 negative mentions

The game features interesting mechanics that revolve around shifting sizes, making for engaging puzzle-solving experiences.
Playing with a friend can lead to hilarious moments and a lot of fun, especially with the ability to throw each other around.
The level design is generally well thought out, providing a mix of challenges that require teamwork and communication.

The game suffers from frequent bugs and connection issues, particularly in online co-op, which can disrupt gameplay.
Physics can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating moments where puzzles become unpassable due to glitches.
The life system is seen as unnecessary and punishing, as it forces players to restart levels after dying, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

gameplay
77 mentions
23 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this puzzle game is characterized by innovative mechanics such as size swapping and cooperative challenges, which can be both fun and engaging, especially in multiplayer mode. However, players have noted issues with bugs, clunky controls, and a lack of variety in level design, leading to repetitive experiences. While the game offers creative puzzles and a rewarding challenge, the execution can feel inconsistent, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
- “The gameplay is creative and the design is cute, so it's definitely a game to check out.”
- “The game offers many unique mechanics that lift the puzzle challenges to a genuinely impressive level from a design perspective.”
- “The gradual introduction of new and increasingly complex mechanics is done right, and you'll feel on top of the world as you grow more adept at utilizing them.”
- “Core mechanics like size swapping, catching each other, and even moving blocks just feel off.”
- “Gameplay is not that great due to boring levels with difficulty fluctuations, unfun game mechanics (size changing, throwing), and a needlessly unclear points system.”
- “Even with the 90% discount price, you get a game that breaks quite frequently, having left me and my friend forced to restart a level multiple times, and the gameplay will get tedious very fast.”
humor
37 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players reporting that it elicits genuine laughter, often to the point of tears. Many reviews highlight the comedic moments that arise from co-op gameplay, including funny glitches and playful sabotage between friends, making it a fun experience despite some frustrating elements. Overall, the game is described as a hilarious and entertaining co-op puzzle experience that is enjoyable both with friends and solo.
- “Overall it was really fun for me and I really enjoyed playing it... some levels I laughed so hard at what happened, that I cried... my partner first wanted to kill me, but then couldn't stop laughing either... laughter cures.”
- “This game is pure hilarious, nothing like sabotaging your mate to steal his coins.”
- “From the first stage to the fourth, I believe it took my friend and I about an hour because I couldn't breathe I was laughing so hard.”
stability
32 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting significant bugs, glitches, and connection issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable despite these problems, others describe it as unplayable, particularly in multiplayer modes where desynchronization and physics inconsistencies are common. Overall, the game's stability issues are a major concern, overshadowing its positive aspects.
- “So far, I've only played it with a buddy online, and it runs great with only minor hiccups.”
- “Really wish this game wasn't so buggy and connection issues weren't so constant.”
- “This game is so buggy it's unplayable.”
- “The glitches are really bad and it ruins the game experience as well as friendships/relationships.”
graphics
31 mentions
48 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players finding them basic or outdated, while others appreciate their colorful and charming aesthetic. Although the visuals may not be top-notch, they are often described as fitting well with the gameplay, which is considered innovative and enjoyable. Overall, while the graphics may not be the standout feature, they contribute positively to the overall experience.
- “The graphics are good and the gameplay is innovative.”
- “Unique levels with challenging puzzles, nice low-poly graphics, and great music, a perfect combination to play with my buddy.”
- “No doubt the graphics are not top-notch, but they are still very colorful and adorable; after all, a platformer should focus more on gameplay mechanics than visuals.”
- “The graphics here can't compare to those games and there's no story, but the game is charming enough to sell itself and keep you having fun.”
- “The weakest link for this game was the graphic design which was kind of meh and tended to put me to sleep.”
- “The only thing which confused me a bit was the graphics which really look a bit outdated, 2012 feel.”
music
18 mentions
39 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the soundtrack as engaging and fitting the game's atmosphere, while others find it bland and repetitive. Notably, certain tracks are highlighted as memorable and enjoyable, contributing positively to the overall experience, but there are also criticisms regarding a lack of variety and some instances of unbearable audio. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect that can enhance or detract from the gameplay, depending on individual preferences.
- “The soundtrack is a certified banger and instantly puts you in the right mindset from the moment you hit the menu screen.”
- “This game is well thought out, the soundtrack adds to the anxiety of the situation and you're having so much fun you don't even care whose fault it was that you died - because you will die.”
- “Unique levels with challenging puzzles, nice low-poly graphics, and great music, a perfect combination to play with my buddy.”
- “Graphically, the game is quite simple and lacks a varied soundtrack, with a specific song playing in the background of each level.”
- “The characters are not cute, the music is bland, the art style is basic, and the puzzle design is not that unique or clever.”
- “Game lacks audio, music is unbearable, and the game in general is too simplistic and the controls are terrible.”
story
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely absent, with players noting a lack of plot, character development, and meaningful choices. While there is a vague implication of blobs escaping a factory, this minimal narrative fails to engage or excite, leaving many feeling unsatisfied with the overall experience. Some appreciate the absence of a forced narrative, but the overwhelming consensus is that the game would benefit from a more developed story.
- “Small or sometimes longer passages with story or a beautifully hand-drawn background.”
- “Two blobs escaping a factory would have so much potential for fun story, loads of humor and engaging gameplay possibilities.”
- “The game communicates no plot or story whatsoever, but I got the impression from somewhere that the blobs are escaping the factory.”
- “No plot to speak of, just back to back puzzles and they’re all so similar.”
- “The lack of story arc created no anticipation of future events; there was no excitement of how the characters will evolve, what skills or abilities to unlock, or what will happen next.”
- “Tl;dr: no story, no relatable characters, no choices, no world interaction, no fun.”
grinding
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, often requiring multiple playthroughs to achieve completion. Many reviews highlight that the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially in single-player mode, where technical issues and finicky controls exacerbate the experience.
- “Grindy.”
- “A tad bit grindy.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The achievements are crappy, grindy as hell, and they require at least two playthroughs.”
- “Even with the 90% discount price, you get a game that breaks quite frequently, having left me and my friend forced to restart a level multiple times, and the gameplay will get tedious very fast.”
replayability
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mix of replayability; while some users find it fun but lacking in replay value, others appreciate the high quality and cooperative elements that encourage multiple playthroughs. The engaging music and environments also contribute to the game's potential for replayability, particularly in cooperative modes.
- “But the game is certainly high enough in quality to warrant some replay value.”
- “Great cooperative fun that rewards patience and your ability to work together, lovely music and environments, each stage has a lot of replay value.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be a highly emotional experience, often eliciting laughter to the point of tears. The humor is so impactful that it creates memorable moments of joy, even leading to physical reactions like nearly losing control due to laughter. Overall, the game fosters a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere that resonates deeply with players.
- “Overall, it was really fun for me, and I really enjoyed playing it. Some levels made me laugh so hard that I cried. My partner initially wanted to kill me, but then couldn't stop laughing either. Laughter cures.”
- “I was laughing so hard I cried and almost peed my pants, because getting to the bathroom when your eyes are full of tears is nearly impossible.”
optimization
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game received a score of 3 out of 5, indicating that while there were no significant issues, players experienced minor hiccups or bugs during nearly every playthrough.
- “The pricing and performance balance is impressive, making it accessible for a wide range of players.”
- “I experienced a few minor hiccups during my playthroughs, but overall, the optimization is solid.”
- “A 3 on performance, because while there were no major problems, there was a minor hiccup or bug almost every playthrough.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development initially seems unappealing due to the art style and design, but players quickly become immersed in the game, suggesting that the gameplay experience outweighs initial reservations.