This spectrum does not only determine a troll’s social standing, but also determines their future professions and general lifespan. Each troll rests somewhere on a hemospectrum-a social hierarchy based on blood colour, with burgundy being the lowest class and fuchsia being the highest. The player will quickly learn from Xefros that this planet’s society is a rather brutal one. Products of SocietyĪs I said, Hiveswap’s cast is made up of some real unsavoury characters, but it’s important we understand why they might act the way they do. The majority of the second Act takes place on this train, moving from the caboose to the conductor’s car, completing tasks and getting to know different trolls along the way. After meeting up outside the young troll’s house (or ‘hive’), the two head out to catch a train in hopes of meeting someone who can help Joey get back home. Xefros also acts as a valuable exposition dump throughout the two Acts, introducing Joey to the ins-and-outs of Alternian culture and society. Within literal minutes of being stranded on this new world, she finds herself in contact with Xefros-our second playable character and the first of many aliens (the game’s official term is ‘trolls’), we’ll meet as the game goes on. After exploring the household, literally dancing some creatures to death, and taking part in some point-and-click shenanigans, Joey ends up being transported to the planet of Alternia. You play as Joey Claire, an average 14-year-old whose home suddenly gets invaded by monsters. I’m here to tell you why that’s a good thing. They lie, they deceive, and they go out of their way to hurt others. Not terrible as in badly written, but terrible as in none of them are good people. However, much like its divisive source material, Hiveswap’s most compelling aspect is its large cast of unusual characters and how all of them all terrible. The game is a pleasant experience from start to finish with gorgeous visuals, a fun, catchy soundtrack, and genre-typical puzzles that really get you thinking. So far only two ‘Acts’ of the game have been released, but it’s already looking promising. This is why I found Hiveswap (2020) to be particularly interesting.ĭeveloped by WhatPumpkin games, founded by Homestuck creator Andrew Hussie, Hiveswap is a point-and-click adventure set in the same universe as the aforementioned, equally loved and detested webcomic.
Archetypes like these are important as they help players not only get an idea of where the story is going, but also develop those precious player-character bonds. Like most things, these casts usually fit into a set of archetypes: the optimistic protagonist, the nerd, the morally ambivalent antihero and, of course, the villain. We grow attached to them, see ourselves in them, and may even aspire to be like them. If video games were a metaphorical cake, the characters would be the cherries on top.
With a small roll of the eyes they decided to join their friends back in the realm of sleep.*DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS STORY SPOILERS FOR HIVESWAP ACTS 1 & 2* They let out a small sigh of content, it didn't seem like the two trolls were going to wake up anytime soon. It was adorable but they would never tell him that, he has way too many guns for them to ever say something like that. Slight they turn their head to look over at their antlered companion, he was practically spooning them, his arms wrapped lightly around their waist while his head was beside beside their's, a small puddle of drool collecting on the plush pillow beneath him. They smiled over at their companions, their rust blooded friend’s face was snuggled into their shoulder, though it could not be observed due to the fact that it was buried in the fabric of their shirt. As their awareness began coming back to them, they noticed the limp limbs that held them closely to two other fleshy beings beside them, both with a different warmth to them. The human’s mind was still groggy from staying up so late the night before, the first thing they noticed was the mess they all had made they felt bad for their friend, who would most likely clean it all up. A quiet groan emitted for one of the three particularly the one cramped between the other two.
Three sleeping figures lay on the living room floor scattered food and bottles surrounded the group as they cuddle into the pile of blankets and pillows the three had accumulated the night before.
The morning started quietly, with only the chirping of the birds outside and the quiet mumer of the TV interrupted the silence.