The Swindle

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 396 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
The Swindle Game Cover
The Swindle is an excellent combination of platformer and stealth game, with a gorgeous steampunk aesthetic that absorbs you completely into the game.
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The Swindle is a steampunk-themed game where you play as a master burglar, tasked with pulling off a heist before Scotland Yard's advanced AI technology is activated. Each level is randomly generated, and you can upgrade your thief's skills and tools between missions. Your goal is to steal as much cash as possible while avoiding detection by the police. Can you outsmart the authorities and pull off the ultimate swindle?

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 396 reviews
gameplay38 positive mentions
stability32 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and engaging art style that complements its steampunk theme.
  • The upgrades and progression system are well-designed, providing a sense of accomplishment as players improve their skills.
  • The tension of planning heists and the risk-reward mechanics create a compelling gameplay loop.
  • The controls are often unresponsive and can lead to frustrating deaths, detracting from the overall experience.
  • Randomly generated levels can result in impossible situations, making it difficult to progress and enjoy the game.
  • The steep difficulty curve and punishing mechanics may deter casual players from fully enjoying the game.
  • gameplay152 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Swindle" is characterized by a mix of engaging stealth mechanics and roguelike elements, but it suffers from significant control issues and unclear mechanics that can lead to frustrating experiences. While the core concept and art style are praised, many players find the execution lacking due to clunky movement, inconsistent enemy behavior, and a steep learning curve without adequate tutorials. Overall, the game offers a challenging and addictive experience, but its unpolished mechanics and frustrating controls detract from its potential.

    • “Gameplay is simple, but keeps getting more challenging and complex.”
    • “The gameplay is satisfying and tense, and the music is phenomenal.”
    • “The art style is amazing, the atmosphere and vibe is brilliantly quirky and dark and humorous, and the gameplay is tight, fun, challenging, and always entertaining.”
    • “But gameplay-wise, the game can't deliver on its promises.”
    • “The game is incredibly sloppy and amateurish, with wonky physics, bad level design, and unclear mechanics.”
    • “The controls are frustrating and some mechanics in the game are not explained, and I tried looking up a FAQ, wiki, or community but there's not much to find.”
  • graphics83 mentions

    The graphics of the game are frequently praised for their unique and charming art style, which effectively captures a steampunk aesthetic and enhances the overall atmosphere. However, many players report significant bugs and control issues that detract from the visual experience, leading to frustration despite the appealing visuals and soundtrack. Overall, while the art design is a standout feature, technical shortcomings hinder the gameplay experience.

    • “The art style is unique and looks quite good with the randomly generated characters and buildings each run.”
    • “The graphics, the music, the whole ambiance of the game are just fantastic, and add up to the great feeling of immersion the game has.”
    • “The art style is enjoyable, and the atmosphere and vibe are brilliantly quirky, dark, humorous, and wonderful.”
    • “While this game is very well designed, from the music, environments, and enemies, to the traps, tech, and steampunk aesthetic, the experience is so buggy it borders on infuriating, and recently has gotten so much worse it's hard to think of a reason, outside of getting 100% completion, why anyone would want to sit down, relax, and turn on the game, which by all accounts is an unplayable mess.”
    • “The graphic design is very in your face, but not very good or original.”
    • “My only complaint in the graphics department is the visual arc that's represented in the animation of your melee swing.”
  • music71 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting its immersive nature and how it intensifies during critical moments, such as when players are detected. The soundtrack is described as superb, memorable, and thematically appropriate, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and tension. Despite some technical issues, the art and music are consistently noted as standout features that elevate the gameplay.

    • “The game's premise is nothing short of exhilarating, complemented by a stellar soundtrack that impeccably captures the essence of each distinct area.”
    • “The art style and music are unique and gorgeous, and contribute greatly to keeping you playing this title.”
    • “The way the music kicks up a notch when you are spotted is delicious, as is the music in general.”
    • “Static jump physics, buggy collision, and even some sound tracking issues make the game very frustrating to actually play.”
    • “Soundtrack: turn it off or turn it down or you won't be getting anywhere, it has so much obnoxious percussion you can't tell the difference between the noises and music.”
    • “If I go to the menu screen, the music fades into the background (presumably as intended), but when I adjust the sound settings, it brings the music to the foreground and eliminates the fade effect entirely while in the menu.”
  • story38 mentions

    The game's story revolves around a unique premise where players have 100 days to gather enough money for a final mission, with a challenging progression system that requires strategic planning and skill upgrades. While the narrative is intriguing, many players find the execution flawed due to clunky mechanics, inconsistent level generation, and a steep difficulty curve that can hinder enjoyment. Despite these issues, the sense of accomplishment from completing missions and the overarching goal of thwarting a powerful AI adds depth to the gameplay experience.

    • “The stakes have never been higher than the final mission, fittingly titled 'The Swindle,' and may never be as high again.”
    • “If you can get over that hump -- the ever-looming knowledge that you may have to start completely from scratch even after completing/failing 100 missions -- there's an extremely rewarding experience here.”
    • “The game is challenging, and in this particular case that adds to the enjoyment as it feels like an accomplishment when you complete a mission and it's a real delight when you can get the ghost accomplishment (getting all money in level undetected).”
    • “The game lacks some basic tutorials; I'm not saying it needs to explain what the bots can do, but for example: I tried 8 times in the last mission, I died 7 times, and in the last I hacked all security stations. Nice, then I got into my ship and left, then I thought I completed the game and tried another heist in the banks and some cutscene played: 'The Devil's Basilisk is complete, game over.' I mean, what the heck?”
    • “The game will tell you 'you have 100 levels to gather enough resources for the final mission', then feed you a steady stream of levels where all the resources are locked in sealed, inaccessible rooms, above jumps requiring upgrades you couldn't possibly have bought yet, and rooms so filled with enemies that you literally can't enter without being detected.”
    • “The start of the game is very rough, where if you don't do the first area for at least 10 days and buy hacking for electrical doors, as well as double jump, you'll face many warehouse missions (I wasted six days in a row, on three different new games) where you simply cannot enter the facilities at all, or if you can, it's begging for immediate death.”
  • stability32 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of frustrating bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Players frequently encounter issues such as character clipping, unresponsive controls, and erratic physics, leading to a sense of inconsistency and frustration. While some users note that the Nintendo Switch version may be less problematic, the overall experience is marred by these persistent technical issues, making it difficult for many to enjoy the game fully.

    • “While this game is very well designed, from the music, environments, and enemies to the traps, tech, and steampunk aesthetic, the experience is so buggy it borders on infuriating. Recently, it has gotten so much worse that it's hard to think of a reason, outside of getting 100% completion, why anyone would want to sit down, relax, and turn on the game, which by all accounts is an unplayable mess.”
    • “If I were failing every level due to my own mistakes, that would be a good challenge, but most of my failures in this game stem from it being a buggy mess with no consistency as to how your character will react to the environment.”
    • “When it plays well and how it's supposed to, it's really enjoyable, but when you die several times from glitches and terrain weirdness beyond your control, the gameplay feels cheap and unsatisfying.”
  • grinding17 mentions

    The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, describing it as frustrating, repetitive, and tedious, leading to player burnout. Many users express dissatisfaction with the slow progression and the excessive time required to unlock abilities, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a major flaw, overshadowing the game's potential and making it less appealing compared to other titles.

    • “I quickly got burned out by how frustrating, repetitive, and grindy the game was.”
    • “This game has a good concept, but at the moment is stupidly grindy.”
    • “The amount of grinding time before you unlock enough abilities to make the game fun is agonizing, especially because you will have to do it over and over again (since it's a roguelike).”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending quirky art and dark comedic elements with gameplay that often leads to hilariously frustrating deaths. Players find themselves laughing at their own failures and the absurdity of the mechanics, making the experience both entertaining and engaging. The mix of funny achievements and the chaotic nature of the stealth platforming adds to the overall enjoyment, appealing to a wide range of players.

    • “Oh gods, I suck so bad at this game... and yet I cannot stop laughing...”
    • “Remotely activating a generator to overcharge nearby bots and also confusing them to fight each other is very funny!”
    • “The Swindle is a steampunk accidental death simulator in which you guide a motley crew of thieves to their inevitable demise, and each death is more hilarious or frustrating than the last.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, with random levels and various upgrade paths enhancing the experience. While some players note potential frustrations with specific gameplay mechanics, many appreciate the challenge and satisfaction of completing levels to 100%. The combination of a time limit and diverse strategies keeps players engaged, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking replay value.

    • “There's a lot of replayability here, especially with the 100-day limit (that you can bypass in the late game, just FYI), but this means you can end up in a situation where you can't clear a three-pane high window, and the interior of the level doesn't lead to the side of the level you can exit on.”
    • “It's a really fun game and it's got a lot of replay value, especially from choosing different upgrades and priorities as you upgrade your thieves' skills.”
    • “The only weak point of the game is replayability.”
    • “I'm probably just spoiled by the extreme replayability of Spelunky, the game's obvious inspiration.”
    • “However, the random levels give it some replay value, and completing a level to 100% gives a nice feeling, partly because of the game's proper difficulty, and partly because of the bad controls.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive details, such as the sound of footsteps changing with the environment and the rain effects that enhance the experience. The distinctive art style, combined with quirky and dark humor, creates a captivating steampunk London vibe that complements the music beautifully. Overall, the atmosphere is described as cool, pretty, and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's charm.

    • “The atmosphere is great - footsteps change as you go from rooftop to floor, and the rain pattering on rooftops dulls as you go inside.”
    • “Lastly, the art and atmosphere are really pretty, with each area having a distinctive style. Not to mention all the little touches like the grime and moisture effects on the screen (that thankfully don't go too far and obstruct your vision).”
    • “The game's art looks great; artist Michael Firman has done a fantastic job creating a sense of atmosphere that really complements the music, making for a wonderful take on a steampunk London.”
    • “Lastly, the art and atmosphere are really pretty, with each area having a distinctive style. Not to mention all the little touches, like the grime and moisture effects on the screen, which thankfully don't go too far and obstruct your vision.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally commendable, with only infrequent performance issues reported. However, some users have experienced poor performance and unpleasant controls, particularly on mid-range hardware configurations.

    • “However, these instances are infrequent, and the game's overall performance remains commendable.”
    • “The game looks very interesting, but the controls are just unpleasant, and the performance is bad.”
    • “The performance: I have an i7 6700, 32GB of RAM, and a GTX 970.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game evokes strong emotions, making players feel a mix of risk and greed, while also delivering a heartbreaking yet poetic experience. However, some users express that technical issues detract from its overall emotional impact, suggesting that improvements are needed for a more fulfilling experience.

    • “It's heartbreaking yet beautifully poetic.”
    • “No other game has made me feel as risky and greedy as this one.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game features a mix of impressive and disappointing designs due to the random generation system, leading to a varied visual experience. While the art style and character design are praised, the inconsistency can be frustrating for players. Overall, the unique aesthetic and engaging music contribute positively to the character experience.

    • “The character designs range from amazing to frustratingly ugly—understandable, as they're randomly generated.”
    • “Pros: neat art style, cool character design, quality music, and an engaging 'hacking' process.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect is viewed positively, with users feeling that the content offered is worth the price, especially for those interested in the advertised features.

    • “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I feel like the game is designed to push players towards microtransactions, which ruins the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, forcing players to spend more to fully enjoy the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

40hMedian play time
80hAverage play time
12-188hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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