Shift Happens (2017)

Shift Happens introduces players to the unique and entertaining dynamic between two gelatinous characters, Bismo and Plom, who, after an unusual and humorous accident, gain the extraordinary ability to swap their sizes and abilities at will. This cooperative puzzle-platformer emphasizes collaboration and strategy, as players must work together to navigate challenging environments and solve intricate puzzles, all while occasionally engaging in playful competition over valuable items.

Gameplay Overview

Players guide Bismo and Plom through four distinct worlds, each offering its own set of challenges and visual aesthetics. The adventure begins in a chaotic laboratory, the site of the characters’ initial mishap, where players must navigate complex machinery and experimental hazards. From there, the journey continues into lush, overgrown forests, revealing hidden pathways and secrets that demand careful planning and coordination.

After the forests, the characters face the arid canyons, where gusting winds and precarious terrain test the players’ timing and precision. The adventure culminates in frigid caves, introducing environmental hazards that require strategic size-shifting and teamwork to overcome. Each world is carefully designed to challenge the players’ ability to coordinate actions, think creatively, and utilize each character’s strengths effectively.

Cooperative Experience

Shift Happens is designed primarily as a cooperative experience, providing maximum enjoyment when played with another person. Coordination and communication are essential to progressing through the game’s puzzles and overcoming obstacles. Players can also engage in lighthearted competition, vying for coins and rewards within each level. While the game shines in multiplayer mode, it also offers a single-player experience featuring unique levels that maintain the same engaging mechanics and challenges.

Game Features

• Over 40 meticulously handcrafted levels offering a variety of platforming and puzzle challenges.
• Local and online co-op modes, allowing players to enjoy the game together in person or remotely.
• Additional challenges and rewards within levels for completionists and players seeking extra objectives.
• More than 30 exclusive levels tailored for the single-player experience.
• 8 unlockable bonus levels, evenly divided between single-player and multiplayer modes.
• Achievements and time-based challenges for each level, encouraging repeated play and mastery.

Recommended Setup

For optimal enjoyment, the game recommends using gamepads, enhancing control and responsiveness during cooperative gameplay. The combination of strategic teamwork, environmental navigation, and character ability swapping creates a dynamic and engaging platforming experience that is accessible to both solo players and pairs.

Conclusion

Shift Happens offers a distinctive blend of cooperative puzzle-solving and platforming action, supported by engaging level design and a flexible approach to multiplayer and single-player gameplay. Players can experience the joy of collaboration, the thrill of overcoming environmental challenges, and the satisfaction of mastering the mechanics of size-shifting and teamwork. With diverse worlds, varied challenges, and a strong emphasis on communication, the game delivers a comprehensive and entertaining experience for anyone seeking cooperative adventure.

Shift Happens is a fun, lighthearted game that works best with a friend. Playing together, you swap sizes and abilities, solve puzzles, and laugh at the silly moments. The levels are varied and creative, keeping the game interesting from start to finish.

If you enjoy couch co-op and playful challenges, this game delivers. The solo mode is different but still entertaining, though the magic happens when you team up. Grab a gamepad, a buddy, and some snacks for the best experience.

Overall, we recommend Shift Happens. It’s simple, cheerful, and full of clever ideas that make teamwork feel rewarding.