Game Review #345: Verlet Swing (Nintendo Switch)

Reviewer: Chad M.

Developer: Flamebait Games

Publisher: Digerati

Category: Action, Party, Simulation

Release Date: 6.14.2019

Price (at time of review): $14.99

Buy Verlet Swing from the Nintendo Switch eShop here.

When You Can’t Run, Then You Swing!

When looking over the cluttered eShop, you really have to dive deep to find games that stand out on their own, but when you find those diamonds in the rough, it always makes it that much better! Publisher, Digerati, has a nice collection of games on the Switch, with some being just okay and some that are rather fun games that should be in your collection.

Digerati has brought us another game, Verlet Swing, from the Sweden-based studio, Flamebait Games, who also developed a game I played and reviewed earlier, titled Passpartout: The Starving Artist. I have to say, I didn’t see a game like Passpartout coming, as it’s a very niche genre with the painting, and once I figured out that it worked with the Switch’s touchscreen, it was very enjoyable. Today, we’re looking at Verlet Swing, which is a speed-run/time-trial-type game that looks to be rather interesting, so let’s jump in!

Swingers Gotta Swing Even Faster

Verlet Swing is a platformer that uses physics-based mechanics that allow you to swing through the air. It’s also a speed-runner with a clock you’re running to beat, and when you do, you’ll be ranked depending on how fast you complete the course. The controls are beyond simple, with the right bumper being used to activate your hook-shot—which acts like Spider-Man’s web shooters—and the left stick is used to guide you while swinging, and to move your character once you let go.

So, as I said, the controls are very simple, and they lull you in with a false sense of security, because Verlet Swing falls into the “simple to learn, but hard as hell to master” category. It doesn’t take long for the game to take the turn from easy to challenging either. I was only ten stages in before I was really bunkering down and focusing to get through with a decent ranking. As you go into the later levels, stretching over the 5 worlds with 100 levels overall, I gave up trying to get high scores or high rankings, and was just happy to get to the end point.

So, as the levels start, you’ll not only be able to hook onto objects, but there are also glowing yellow orbs that are just floating about the area that you can hook onto. Not only are you hooking onto these yellow orbs like Spider-Man, but you’ll find other cool items, like rockets, that will have you soaring through the sky like Superman. As you blast through hoops, just barley smashing into the ground—or a wall or an object—you’ll know it’s the end when you see the large blue glowing orb that seems to be coursing with energy, and all you have to do is land on or touch this blue ball to end the level.

Spider-Man on LSD Is Such a TRIP

From the start, the first thing that I noticed was the look of the game—and let me say, it’s gorgeous! The colors are vibrant, with blues, pinks, and purples, with a neon glow that can have you swinging through a world of dolphins jumping all around, to a world of old-school arcades, to large floating pizza slices, to darker levels with gears and chains that look ominous.

The beauty of the game had me immediately worried this would be a style or substance issue; but luckily, I was wrong, as the game may lack in multiple game modes and different bells and whistles, but the core game is more than enough of a challenge, as you will have to be an ultimate swinging master to finish all 100 levels; and to finish them all on the highest ranking would mean you’re some sort of god. In saying that, there are challenges that you can tackle once you think you’re ready, and online leaderboards, both of which add a lot of replay value.

As I said, the game’s not easy, and definitely will take some time to get the feel for how to move within the levels, like throwing your body forward or free-falling before latching onto an object to give you the needed momentum to go higher and further. So, putting your peepers on the game is the only way to give it justice, but I’ll say this: just picture that you’re Batman with his grappling hooks or Batclaw Gun, you’ve been captured by the Scarecrow, and he’s locked you inside a fever dream that’s been drenched in the 80s neon glow.

It is extremely aesthetically pleasing to the eye with its retro-wave look. The game is also very pleasing to the ear, as the soundtrack is a beautifully-done synth-wave soundtrack that I wish we could purchase on its own. It really pulls you into the gorgeous and crazy environments while swinging along.

It’s A Wrap!

Verlet Swing was way more than I bargained for, with a parkour-platforming, swinging speed-runner. I was first pulled in by the beautiful level designs, gorgeous views, and very well-done soundtrack, but then really began to love the game once I started playing it and getting deeper into the later worlds and levels, seeing the true depth of the gameplay. I highly recommend picking up Verlet Swing and adding it to your collection.