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. To find out what your True Sign is, take the test now.*DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS STORY SPOILERS FOR HIVESWAP ACTS 1 & 2* Your True Sign will include a much more specific and personal astrological profile than your birth sign alone conveys. You will then be identified by one of the 288 signs of the Extended Zodiac. Lunar Sway and Aspect are assigned based on character traits and tendencies, and in order to determine yours, you will need to take a couple of brief personality tests. Think of it as the source of your power, the way you move through the world. The second is your Aspect, the ruling force over your personal narrative. There are two possibilities for Lunar Sway. The first is your Lunar Sway, a designation which says things about your perspective on life. In order to discover your True Sign, you must identify two additional qualities about yourself, which are unique to the Extended Zodiac. The Extended Zodiac is broken down into 12 color categories called Sign Classes, and each of those contain 24 unique signs.

All hiveswap characters