The Swindle - indie action/rogue-like game

[Jorlen]

Hey guys. I don't see any discussion on this game yet, it just came out last week I believe and I picked it up seeing as it was cross-play / cross-buy (PS4/Vita) and of course, one of my favorite genres - rogue-like.

What makes it rogue-like? Randomly generated levels and permadeath, although you do keep your upgrades (at least for the 100 days you get to do the final heist).

Here's a video review.

Here's the metacritic link.

I've played it a few hours now and while the game is quite difficult, I find it very entertaining. I like the way the procedural levels are done as well.

You have different areas that have progressively more difficult levels. You have to unlock those areas along with a bunch of upgrades. Since the game gives you 100 days overall to finish it, you have to be smart and can't linger too long in one area. So really, you have to think about which upgrades to get and get them and move on since future areas give WAY more cash. For example, just picking up money at first is under $100 but as soon as you unlock hacking, you start to make thousands, etc.

It has a very nice visual design and the sound/music are excellent as well.

 

[Andy]

I've never really understood what "rogue-like" meant. I suppose I could look it up, but I'm too lazy-like.

Looks like it's well made. I'm not a fan of stealthy 2-D side-scrollers, but it looks like a quality effort. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

 

[TDbank24]

So many random indie games. Looks cool though. I might have to give The Swindle a try.

 

[Jorlen]

I've never really understood what "rogue-like" meant. I suppose I could look it up, but I'm too lazy-like.

Looks like it's well made. I'm not a fan of stealthy 2-D side-scrollers, but it looks like a quality effort. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Rogue-like usually means a game with dire consequences for death (usually re-starting) and also heavily randomized elements, such as randomly generated levels, items, etc.

Diablo borrowed heavily from the rogue-like genre but made permadeath optional and expanded on the item generation (i.e. prefix + suffix rolls on items, uniques, etc). The game rogue (which is where the term rogue-like originates) is basically like a 2D version of Diablo with some differences. Released in the 80s I believe. I played Nethack as a kid, which is similar.

The term is a bit overused but I like seeing it because rogue-likes in general appeal to me, specially with regards to perma-death and randomization. Just makes the games fun and challenging, but equally as rewarding. Think of the games of old - you had X amount of lives, when you failed, you restarted.

Another recent rogue-like is Galak-Z and I've also been enjoying this title, moreso than the Swindle. It feels more polished and fair. It's also a 2D space shooter, and while I generally dislike space games, Galak-Z is different BECAUSE it's a rogue-like and has heavy randomization and as you guessed it, dying sets you back quite a bit.

 

[Andy]

Rogue-like usually means a game with dire consequences for death (usually re-starting) and also heavily randomized elements, such as randomly generated levels, items, etc.

Diablo borrowed heavily from the rogue-like genre but made permadeath optional and expanded on the item generation (i.e. prefix + suffix rolls on items, uniques, etc). The game rogue (which is where the term rogue-like originates) is basically like a 2D version of Diablo with some differences. Released in the 80s I believe. I played Nethack as a kid, which is similar.

The term is a bit overused but I like seeing it because rogue-likes in general appeal to me, specially with regards to perma-death and randomization. Just makes the games fun and challenging, but equally as rewarding. Think of the games of old - you had X amount of lives, when you failed, you restarted.

Another recent rogue-like is Galak-Z and I've also been enjoying this title, moreso than the Swindle. It feels more polished and fair. It's also a 2D space shooter, and while I generally dislike space games, Galak-Z is different BECAUSE it's a rogue-like and has heavy randomization and as you guessed it, dying sets you back quite a bit.

Interesting. Thanks for the clarification. So, "rouge-like" means serious consequences for death, plus randomized levels/loot.

 

[Jorlen]

Interesting. Thanks for the clarification. So, "rouge-like" means serious consequences for death, plus randomized levels/loot.

More or less, yeah. There's some heated debate on the use (and lately, over-use) of the tag "rogue-like" but I don't nerd-rage over such trivial matters . So, yes, that sums it up but you'll have scores of people saying "NO! Rogue-likes need to be turned-based! Can't be action games! FCK YOUUUUUU!" . That and other minor stipulations. So uh. Your results may vary according to how anal people are.

Speaking of inducing rage from neckbeards, you're innocent typo of "rouge-like" drives people crazy. Like those in the roguelike subreddit. They in turn, drive ME crazy, so I'm almost tempted to write it on purpose to get a reaction So, I for one giggled like a schoolgirl when I saw it.

Edit: I came back to this post to include this. And that's just the TIP of the nerdy iceberg, man. Seriously. Just skim through that and see some of the vitriol that's posted about something so stupidly trivial.

 

[Andy]

More or less, yeah. There's some heated debate on the use (and lately, over-use) of the tag "rogue-like" but I don't nerd-rage over such trivial matters . So, yes, that sums it up but you'll have scores of people saying "NO! Rogue-likes need to be turned-based! Can't be action games! FCK YOUUUUUU!" . That and other minor stipulations. So uh. Your results may vary according to how anal people are.

Speaking of inducing rage from neckbeards, you're innocent typo of "rouge-like" drives people crazy. Like those in the roguelike subreddit. They in turn, drive ME crazy, so I'm almost tempted to write it on purpose to get a reaction So, I for one giggled like a schoolgirl when I saw it.

Edit: I came back to this post to include this. And that's just the TIP of the nerdy iceberg, man. Seriously. Just skim through that and see some of the vitriol that's posted about something so stupidly trivial.

ha, looks like the same type of compulsive nutjobs who get involved in long-winded discussions of what the definition of an RPG is. Which reminds me, I did an long-winded analysis of that question myself. I've got the copy of my final conclusions around here somewhere...

"Rouge"-like, yeah, I slipped, lol. "Rouge-lite" is a game that features characters with light make-up...

 

[Dno69]

Not that it matters at all, the doesn't seem to be getting much attention anyway, but the game is also on X1.

 

[Andy]

Not that it matters at all, the doesn't seem to be getting much attention anyway, but the game is also on X1.

I'll move it. Maybe it'll get more attention.