Swim Out

Cool ideas are abound in this puzzle game but a slow pace drags it down.

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Dive into the relaxing and refreshing atmosphere of Swim Out, a strategic, turn-based puzzle game, that will transport you into a sunny day by the swimming pool, the river or the sea.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

52%

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Swim Out features a charming and relaxing atmosphere with beautiful graphics and immersive sound design that enhances the gameplay experience.
The game offers a solid variety of puzzles with increasing difficulty, providing a satisfying challenge for players who enjoy brain teasers.
The non-linear level design allows players to tackle challenges at their own pace, making it accessible for both casual and dedicated puzzle enthusiasts.

The lack of an undo button can lead to frustration, especially in longer levels where mistakes require players to restart from the beginning.
Some players find the pacing slow and the mechanics awkward, particularly when controlling larger items or navigating complex levels.
The game can become overly challenging after the initial chapters, potentially alienating casual players who may not have the patience for more difficult puzzles.

gameplay
13 mentions
38 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of familiar mechanics and challenging puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty, providing hours of engaging content. While the introduction of game mechanics is well-executed, some controls, particularly for wider vehicles, can feel awkward. Overall, the game combines enjoyable puzzle-solving with a relaxing summer atmosphere, making it a satisfying experience for players.
- “The puzzles are solid and get really tough down the road if you go for the bonus goals, providing many hours of challenging gameplay.”
- “The game does a very good job introducing the mechanics (without one written word), then it ramps up the difficulty gradually.”
- “It might look a bit simple and easy at the start, and all mechanics are very familiar to a puzzle fan, but as you progress, the difficulty increases pretty seriously.”
- “Same gameplay, but instead of avoiding guards and dogs and the occasional assassination, you're dodging obnoxious swimmers and doing other fun summer activities, I assume people do. But the main goal is to get out of the pool, you fool!”
- “While most of the game mechanics work well, guiding a two-wide vehicle feels really awkward and unintuitive. Luckily, there's only one level that is fully built around such a device.”
- “The gameplay is visibly less polished, and that's a problem. Even more so as these rough edges could have been fixed in a reasonable amount of time with some friendly user testing.”
graphics
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a clean and stylish 50s-inspired aesthetic, complemented by brief yet well-executed cutscenes and a soothing pastel color palette. While the visuals may not be particularly eye-catching compared to other games, they effectively enhance the overall atmosphere alongside a rich soundscape of swimming pool and seaside sounds. Overall, the graphics contribute to a fun and immersive experience, though they may struggle to stand out in a crowded market.
- “Clean, great-looking 50s-style graphics with very brief but nicely done cutscenes between levels, some soft background music, and a variety of sound effects for ambience.”
- “The pool/swim theme, from the ambient sounds and the graphics even between levels, all contribute to making this such a fun, well-made game.”
- “The visuals are simple but stylish, all drawn in a relaxing pastel - but the really important part is the sound, which is an amazing multilayered mix of all kinds of swimming pool and seaside sounds.”
- “And then, selling it becomes much more difficult - especially as its visuals are not eye-catching, and when one is browsing among many games, an atmospheric soundscape doesn't have any chance to make itself heard.”
music
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game is minimal, featuring only soft background music in the menu and lacking any during gameplay, which many players find disappointing. While the sound effects contribute to the ambiance, the absence of adjustable volume settings and the simplistic sound options leave room for improvement. Overall, players suggest enhancing the musical experience to enrich the gaming atmosphere.
- “Clean, great-looking 50s-style graphics with very brief but nicely done cutscenes between levels, some soft background music and a variety of sound effects for ambience.”
- “So I would recommend to play it listening to some chill-out music in the background.”
- “Also, there is no music during gameplay, only in the menu.”
- “The sounds of the people in the background become annoying very fast, and there is no music (we all love music in games, especially in the background).”
- “Windowed mode only has a fixed-size window, with sound and music options but no volume settings, so there's room for improvement here.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Swim Out" for Nintendo Switch is highly praised for its relaxing, summer vibe, which enhances the overall gaming experience. While the visuals may not stand out, the atmospheric soundscape effectively complements the engaging puzzle gameplay, making it a satisfying choice for players seeking enjoyable entertainment.
- “The excellent atmosphere is just a plus - and a big plus, at that.”
- “Swim Out for Nintendo Switch certainly won't rock the world in terms of its originality; however, it is definitely good at doing what it does, which is to combine great, pick-up-and-play puzzle gameplay, along with a very relaxing, summer atmosphere that will keep gamers looking for some pleasing entertainment more than satisfied.”
- “The atmosphere in Swim Out for Nintendo Switch feels bland and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to truly immerse players in the experience.”
- “While the gameplay mechanics are solid, the overall atmosphere fails to evoke any real sense of adventure or excitement.”
- “The visuals and sound design do little to enhance the atmosphere, leaving it feeling flat and unengaging.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the tension and urgency players feel as they navigate through obstacles and other swimmers, creating a sense of anxiety and determination to reach the exit. The use of various items adds an element of strategy, enhancing the emotional stakes of each decision made during gameplay.