Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To review: Tetris Chillax

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As a kid gamer, Tetris Attack and its sibling, Panel de Pon, were among my all-time favorites. The Yoshi motif was undeniably captivating, but it was the core gameplay that truly reeled me in, offering an accessible charm that set it apart from other puzzle games. Fast forward a few years, Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 Puzzle, a game inspired by Panel de Pon with visual novel elements, popped up on Kickstarter. Developed by a cooperative studio striving to make a difference in the gaming industry, this title caught my eye and held my attention.

The title is also the thing you do!

Title Character: Samar, the witch of Demashq

Plot Summary: In a charmingly casual narrative, we follow Samar, a witch who governs over the friendly demon city of Demashq. Her role involves managing wayward Spirits that inadvertently intrude upon the city’s domain, and lately, they seem to be everywhere. As she navigates her day-to-day tasks, Samar drops by her local friends, resolving Spirit-related issues for them, while attempting to unravel the mystery behind this surge. The upcoming grand concert offers a glimmer of hope that things will return to normal before then.

To tidy up the Spirits, Samar needs to exchange them. This is where the fun of playing Panel de Pon comes in, simple and clear. If you’ve ever played games like Tetris Attack, Panel de Pon, or Puzzle League, you’ll understand what I mean. The pieces have amusing faces that become even more comical when a match is made and they “explode,” and there are numerous chances to create combos and fill your opponent’s area with clutter. There’s a competitive edge suggesting everyone here knows how to exchange Spirits, but it seems Samar is the best at it, which explains why it’s his job. This justifies the two-player mode, so we shouldn’t overthink it too much.

Can you relax too much?

In the game Spirit Swap, one key feature is the ability to cast spells. As you interact with characters and resolve their issues, you’ll acquire their unique spell. You can have as many as three equipped at a time. To use a spell, you need to fill a meter first, then arrange game pieces in a particular pattern, such as a 2×2 grid or a diamond shape. These patterns are interesting, but their impact isn’t overwhelming, especially if you’re good at setting up combos.

Despite the title suggesting a more high-energy experience, Spirit Swap is actually designed for a more laid-back and enjoyable playthrough. This competitive puzzle game encourages relaxation over intensity, offering various difficulty settings and storyless play for those seeking a challenge. However, even in challenging modes, there seems to be a lack of excitement or urgency in the gameplay itself. There’s not much emphasis on achieving combos, casting spells, or clearing debris, with minimal visual or auditory feedback to celebrate these actions. While there are UI elements and a time freeze for strategy, it doesn’t offer the usual thrills associated with puzzle games, such as screen-shaking effects or dramatic sound effects that typically build anticipation during gameplay.

Romance on the side

Spirit Swap may not initially appear to have a lack of flavor or style; quite the contrary, it is abundant! The characters, in particular, are vibrant, lively, and engaging to engage with. The narrative, however, is breezy and light, serving primarily as an introduction to the characters, their world, and concluding with a humorous finale before rolling credits. An unusual aspect of the game is that it allows you to re-enter after the story has concluded, continuing interactions with the characters and fostering relationships with them. This post-story engagement feels disjointed from the main narrative, making the romantic elements seem somewhat shallow and without purpose. This is particularly true when one can progressively romance each character, complete the game, and then find it in a suspended state, teasing future content through updates.

In the end, I found my time with Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To quite enjoyable, largely thanks to its vibrant graphics, soothing music from Meltycanon, and familiar puzzle mechanics. However, despite these positive aspects, the overall experience seems a bit too casual to leave a lasting impression. The writing is adorable yet lacks depth, and the puzzle action feels somewhat half-hearted. Although the atmosphere is pleasing, I can’t help but feel that something more substantial is missing. A touch of excitement in the gameplay or layers in the storyline could transform this into something truly exceptional.

On February 3, 2025, you can get your hands on “Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3” for your personal computer. The publisher has kindly provided a review code for us.

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2025-02-03 18:28