Shiftlings

Shiftlings feels like more than just a simple platformer with a gimmick. Instead of inserting a joke and then going about the level design like it never happened, here the joke is very integral part of the experience.

68%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

replayability, grinding

68% User Score Based on 69 reviews

Platforms

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About Shiftlings

Shiftlings is a single player and multiplayer platformer game with comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Rock Pocket Games and was released on March 3, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

The galaxy's biggest no-brainer! Control two adorably dim-witted alien space janitors on their quirky quest to repair the galaxy!

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Reviews

68%Audience ScoreBased on 69 reviews

gameplay10 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Shiftlings features clever and challenging puzzles that require cooperation and communication, making it a fun experience when played with a friend.
The game has vibrant graphics and a quirky sense of humor, providing a lighthearted atmosphere that appeals to players of all ages.
The unique mechanic of controlling two characters connected by a hose adds an interesting twist to traditional puzzle-platforming gameplay.

The controls can be clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustrating gameplay, especially in single-player mode where switching between characters can be cumbersome.
Many players have reported issues with the multiplayer functionality, including difficulties connecting with friends and inconsistent performance in co-op mode.
The gameplay can become repetitive over time, with some puzzles feeling similar and lacking variety, which may lead to a tedious experience.

gameplay
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 16% negative mentions
The gameplay of Shiftlings is characterized by its quirky co-op puzzle platforming mechanics, which involve unique inflate/deflate mechanics and a humorous, cartoonish style aimed at younger audiences. While the game features innovative puzzles and vibrant visuals, many players find the controls clunky and the core mechanics repetitive, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution and appeal to both children and adults. Despite its fun elements, the gameplay can be frustrating at times, particularly in solo play, and the reliance on juvenile humor may not resonate with all players.
- “The style is aimed for younger players, and some of the jokes are fairly juvenile, but the gameplay itself is pretty fun.”
- “Shiftlings is a fun little puzzle platformer with a novel mechanic that's pulled off pretty well.”
- “Shiftlings boasts some masterful level design for puzzle-platforming fanatics, and its intuitive, hands-off way of teaching mechanics will come as a pleasant surprise for those unimpressed with modern games' tendency to overuse tutorials.”
- “Unpleasant controls, and annoying gameplay.”
- “The control scheme is also a little clunky, unfortunately, which makes the gameplay feel very unintuitive, which might be part of the point.”
- “A repetitive central mechanic, controls that fight your instincts, and some truly annoying voice acting all stand in the way of a wholehearted recommendation.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45% positive mentions, 41% neutral mentions, 14% negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising their sharpness, vibrancy, and overall aesthetic appeal, contributing to a nostalgic feel. However, some players criticize the repetitiveness of the visual design across levels and the lack of a cohesive graphic language, which detracts from the overall experience. While the visuals are often described as beautiful and polished, they are not enough to compensate for gameplay shortcomings.
- “Sharp and colorful graphics and music provide a feel-good, almost nostalgic feel to them.”
- “Graphically it's crisp, bright, and rather colorful.”
- “Beautiful graphics, not so hard puzzles, and humorous narration.”
- “The real problem with the game is the graphics.”
- “But the thing is that every 10 levels has the same graphics.”
- “The fact is the lack of this graphic language and the similarity between levels is why I stopped playing after just 14 levels.”
humor
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The humor in this game is a standout feature, blending witty dialogue, quirky character interactions, and clever puzzles that enhance the cooperative experience. While some jokes may not resonate with all players, the overall comedic tone—ranging from cute and silly to cerebral and even absurd—adds a delightful layer to the gameplay. Players appreciate the humorous narration and unique mechanics, making it a fun choice for those who enjoy lighthearted co-op adventures.
- “There's a lot of good puzzle platformers on Steam, and you can be sure this game is among them, but what really sets it apart is the setting, humor, and crisp clean design of your two player characters and their unique mechanics which you'll use throughout the levels to navigate and solve whatever pressing issues need your special kind of ministrations.”
- “It is a very funny cooperative game, with good mechanics, witty puzzles, and a nice presentation.”
- “The good thing about Shiftlings is the dialogs, the funny comments of the narrator, and the humorous videos.”
story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24% positive mentions, 58% neutral mentions, 18% negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered decent but lacks originality, as it follows familiar tropes without significant expansion through DLCs. While some players appreciate the amusing setup and satirical elements, others find the narrative unengaging and reminiscent of better titles. Overall, the story does not leave a lasting impact, with mixed feelings about its execution and depth.
- “There's an interesting little meta story that goes along with your progression, allowing for an announcer to give commentary as you play through the levels. Overall, it's pleasant enough.”
- “[innovative inflate/deflate mechanic, varied stages and worlds, vibrant colors and visuals, pretty amusing story]”
- “[fun story setup, good bits of satire, graphics really pop out]”
- “Sadly, the developers did not add any more story-related DLCs to the game to flesh it out, like most developers do.”
- “The story is decent, but this type of story has been done before.”
- “There's some voice lines, but they didn't keep me invested in the story.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, -100% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its focus on time-attacks and item collection, with only a few semi-hidden collectibles per level that can be revisited. While players can return to collect missed items, the overall length of the game suggests that it is best enjoyed in a single playthrough, diminishing its replay value.
- “The game features limited replayability for time attacks or item collection, with three semi-hidden collectibles per level that you can revisit at any time. While all items are findable, some will require a bit of brainpower to snag, making it a reasonable length game for a single run-through.”
- “The replayability is enhanced by the option to go back and collect missed items, adding a layer of challenge and exploration to the experience.”
- “Even though the game is fairly short for a single playthrough, the ability to revisit levels for collectibles keeps the experience fresh and engaging.”
- “Limited replayability for time attacks or item collection. There are three semi-hidden collections per level that you can revisit at any time to try to grab if you miss them on the first run-through. They are all findable, but some will require some brain work to snag.”
- “The game offers a fairly reasonable length if you're only planning on a single run-through, which limits the incentive to replay.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there isn't much motivation to go back and play again, as the experience feels largely the same.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and tedious, with a forced plot that detracts from the experience. Additionally, solo mode becomes increasingly frustrating in later levels, further diminishing enjoyment.
- “The grinding becomes repetitive and tedious, making the experience feel more like a chore than fun.”
- “As I progressed, the plot felt forced and unengaging, which only added to the frustration of grinding.”
- “Solo mode becomes increasingly frustrating in the later levels, making the grind feel overwhelming.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its sharp, colorful quality that evokes a nostalgic feel, complementing the appealing visuals and enhancing the overall experience.
- “Sharp and colorful graphics and music provide a feel-good, almost nostalgic vibe.”
- “Alongside that, the visuals and music are appealing and fit very well.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions
The game is generally enjoyable for cooperative play, though users report occasional bugs and functionality issues. Despite these stability concerns, players find it to be a fun experience that provides entertainment.
- “Great game for co-op, but sometimes a little buggy and didn't work properly. Overall, it wasn't that bad; it passed the time and had a laugh. What more could you want in a game?”