Shiftlings

Shiftlings wastes too much effort on story elements, without first creating a lasting gameplay experience.

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

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews

gameplay13 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Fun and engaging gameplay with clever puzzles that encourage cooperation.
Visually appealing with colorful graphics and a quirky, humorous style.
Great for local co-op play, making it a perfect family game that can be enjoyed together.

Controls can be finnicky and frustrating, especially in solo mode, leading to a tedious experience.
Some mechanics and jokes may feel juvenile or repetitive, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
The co-op experience can be inconsistent, with some players finding it unplayable due to poor execution of core mechanics.

gameplay
24 mentions
54 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Shiftlings is characterized by its quirky co-op platforming mechanics and humorous puzzles, appealing primarily to younger players. While the innovative inflate/deflate mechanic and vibrant visuals are praised, some reviewers note that the humor can be juvenile and the core mechanics may become repetitive over time. Overall, the game offers a fun experience but is hindered by execution issues and a lack of depth in solo play.
- “Quirky co-op platforming puzzler with an original and fun mechanic.”
- “It is a very funny cooperative game, with good mechanics, witty puzzles, and a nice presentation.”
- “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.”
- “Worst execution of core gameplay mechanics ever.”
- “A repetitive central mechanic, controls that fight your instincts, and some truly annoying voice acting all stand in the way of a wholehearted recommendation.”
- “Shiftlings wastes too much effort on story elements, without first creating a lasting gameplay experience.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring witty puzzles and a humorous narration that enhances the cooperative experience. Players appreciate the beautiful graphics and the clever integration of comedic elements, including a unique flatulence mechanic that adds to the overall fun without feeling out of place.
- “It is a very funny cooperative game, with good mechanics, witty puzzles, and a nice presentation.”
- “Beautiful graphics, not so hard puzzles, and humorous narration.”
- “It’s rare when a game can nail fart humor and also have it be completely in context.”
story
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally seen as fun and amusing, featuring a creative setup with elements of satire and vibrant visuals that enhance the experience. However, some users feel that the focus on story detracts from the overall gameplay, suggesting a need for better balance between narrative and mechanics.
- “[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]”
- “Shiftlings wastes too much effort on story elements, without first creating a lasting gameplay experience.”
graphics
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics are consistently praised for their beauty and vibrancy, with colorful visuals that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the innovative design and varied stages, noting that the graphics effectively complement the humorous and satirical narrative. Overall, the visuals are described as eye-catching and integral to the game's appeal.
- “Beautiful graphics, not so hard puzzles, and humorous narration.”
- “Colorful and vibrant visuals, tons of levels, solid puzzle/level design.”
- “Innovative inflate/deflate mechanic, varied stages and worlds, vibrant colors and visuals, pretty amusing story.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the emotional impact of the game, particularly noting the immense pride and joy it brings to individuals with autism, as evidenced by a parent observing their son repeatedly completing the game with a sense of accomplishment.
- “My son has autism, and you should have seen how much pride swelled up in his heart when he completed the game... and again... and again.”
replayability
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users indicate that the game has low replayability value, suggesting that it lacks elements that encourage players to return for multiple playthroughs.
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % 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 'plot' feel forced.”
- “Solo mode gets frustrating on later levels due to the excessive grinding.”
- “The constant need to grind detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”