Shift Happens

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The two jello jelly creatures Bismo and Plom got connected in a tragic yet funny accident and thus can exchange their size and abilities at will. Welcome to the world of Shift Happens - the only game out there which doesn't take a closer look at the body mass index and where players are actually forced to work togehter (and occasionally stab each other in the back). Experience thrilling adventure…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 749 reviews

gameplay37 positive mentions

stability52 negative mentions

Shift Happens is a fun and enjoyable co-op puzzle platformer that encourages teamwork and communication.
The game features clever puzzles and mechanics that allow for humorous interactions, such as throwing your partner into danger.
It's a great game for casual play with friends, providing plenty of laughs and memorable moments.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly in online multiplayer, which can disrupt gameplay.
The controls can feel unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating moments during critical jumps or actions.
The life system forces players to restart levels upon dying, which can be tedious and detracts from the overall experience.

gameplay
122 mentions
30 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of innovative mechanics and frustrating inconsistencies, with many players noting issues such as clunky controls, bugs, and repetitive puzzles. While the core mechanics, particularly the cooperative elements and unique size-shifting abilities, are praised for their potential fun, the overall execution often leads to a frustrating experience, especially in multiplayer. Despite these drawbacks, some players find enjoyment in the game's charm and cooperative challenges, making it a mixed bag of engaging and tedious moments.
- “This hidden gem's unique mechanics, focus on teamwork, and charming presentation make it a must-play for anyone looking for a fun and engaging gaming experience.”
- “Puzzles are inventive, the concept is solid, and pulling off the co-op mechanics with a partner feels very satisfying.”
- “The gameplay is simple, yet very effective as just pure, unadulterated fun.”
- “The controls are clunky, and the gameplay is boring and just not enjoyable.”
- “The game's mechanics, crucial to its core gameplay, are plagued by inconsistency, making it a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable challenge.”
- “It's incredibly frustrating when basic actions like grabbing objects or each other fail due to clunky controls or unreliable mechanics.”
stability
53 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent glitches, bugs, and desynchronization issues that significantly hinder gameplay, especially in multiplayer modes. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these problems, many express frustration, stating that the bugs make it nearly unplayable at times. Overall, the consensus is that the game's fun mechanics are overshadowed by its instability.
- “So far, I've only played it with a buddy online, and it runs great with only minor hiccups.”
- “So many glitches, I could not have fun playing this game; I wish I didn't buy it.”
- “The glitches are really bad and it ruins the game experience as well as friendships/relationships.”
- “This game is so buggy it's unplayable.”
humor
50 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players highlighting its ability to generate laughter through chaotic co-op gameplay and amusing glitches. Many reviews note that the experience is particularly enjoyable when playing with friends, leading to moments of both hilarity and friendly sabotage. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with challenging puzzles, making it a fun and entertaining choice for multiplayer sessions.
- “Imagine if you and a friend were two wobbly blobs that could only solve puzzles by swapping places—sounds like a recipe for hilarious chaos, right?”
- “Overall a funny platformer with interesting puzzles, slightly challenging but not impossible.”
- “The combination of cooperation and some backstabbing when playing with a friend (or significant other) is just hilarious.”
graphics
42 mentions
45 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the colorful and simplistic aesthetic reminiscent of titles like Gang Beasts and Fall Guys, while others criticize the low-polygon, minimalist style as outdated and lacking depth. Despite the varied opinions, many agree that the visuals are adequate for the gameplay experience, with some finding them charming and entertaining, while others feel they detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the graphics are seen as a secondary concern to the game's mechanics and fun factor.
- “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 lack of textures is a method that lazy devs often use to disguise their lack of talent or interest in doing the graphics properly, trying to disguise it under the name of 'art' or 'we made it look bad on purpose', which really isn't something gamers should have to put up with.”
- “The weakest link for this game was the graphic design, which was kind of meh and tended to put me to sleep.”
- “Was so much fun and a lot of laughs, but the only thing that confused me a bit was the graphics, which really look a bit outdated, giving a 2012 feel.”
story
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, with many reviewers noting that there is no meaningful plot or character development. While some appreciate the lack of a forced narrative, the overall consensus is that the minimal implied story about blobs escaping a factory fails to engage players, leaving them unsatisfied and yearning for a more compelling narrative experience.
- “Small or sometimes longer passages with story or a beautifully hand-drawn background.”
- “The main story levels can be challenging, but it's an enjoyable challenge.”
- “Two blobs escaping a factory would have so much potential for fun story, loads of humor and engaging gameplay possibilities.”
- “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 about how the characters will evolve, what skills or abilities to unlock, or what will happen next.”
- “This game has absolutely no story.”
music
19 mentions
42 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it either bland or frustrating, while others praise it as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience. Many appreciate the soundtrack for its ability to set the mood and complement the game's aesthetics, though a few noted that it can be repetitive or overwhelming at times. Overall, while the sound design varies in quality, the music is often described as enjoyable and fitting for the game's atmosphere.
- “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.”
- “Things I didn't like at all: the soundtracks gave me a headache, and those noisy sounds characters were making made me want to leave ASAP.”
replayability
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, "Shift Happens" offers a mix of replayability, with some players finding it high due to its cooperative and solo experiences, while others feel it lacks depth for multiple playthroughs. The game is praised for its quality, which contributes to its replay value, but opinions vary on how much content encourages repeated play.
- “This greatly increases the replayability of what can be a short game if you're not focused on achievements and intend to play just the co-op experience or just solo.”
- “Shift Happens is a cooperative puzzle-solving game that offers a lot of content and replay value.”
- “The game isn't replayable for me.”
- “But the game is certainly high enough in quality to warrant some replay value.”
grinding
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % 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, with some even describing it as a significant drawback, especially when compounded by technical issues.
- “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.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and humorous moments, eliciting strong laughter that can lead to tears. Players report a joyful experience that fosters connection, with shared laughter enhancing the overall enjoyment.
- “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 first wanted to kill me, but then couldn't stop laughing either. Laughter cures.”
- “I was laughing so hard I cried and had to pee, so I almost peed my pants, because getting to the bathroom when your eyes are full of tears is near impossible.”
- “It's just wholesome.”
optimization
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while some users report minor hiccups or bugs during gameplay, others praise "Shift Happens" for its smooth performance and lack of issues typical of early access titles.
- “Shift Happens doesn't feel at all like any other early access game: it runs smoothly, bug-free, and without any problems.”
- “[td]Pricing & performance[/td]”
- “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.