Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To is a vibrant, inclusive puzzle game that shines with its colourful art, calming beats and positive energy. The match-3 mechanics are simple, making it easy to pick up and play whenever you need a timeout from real life.
The developers at Soft Not Weak LLC have created a game that celebrates diversity and body inclusivity, and it’s so refreshing to see. It’s the kind of game that instantly makes you feel comfy and cosy.
Although the story is a bit short, there is more to unlock and enjoy post-credits. This includes the ability to romance diverse and queer characters, decorate your room, and replay puzzles to lofi beats to your heart’s content.
Gameplay
Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To is a match-3 style game, which means you’ll need to match coloured gems to clear columns without it reaching the top and overflowing. If you have played Bejeweled, it’s very similar.
You want to aim for combos, matching as many colours as possible as this is where the witch element comes in. Certain combos and groups of gems can create a spell for you to cast — think of this as a special move. You can use spells to clear entire sections, add frozen blocks to your opponents columns, or clear specific coloured gems.
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When you win against an NPC, they’ll reward you with new spells to try out or special items that can be used to decorate your room. Each friend comes with their own set of challenges and special abilities, requiring different strategies to defeat.
While the story is single-player, once you’ve finished that, the game features a competitive local versus mode that can be played with friends.
Story
The story of Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To feels a bit surface level, however it radiates positivity and the importance of being a good friend. You follow the story of Samar, a witch who works the nightshift, spirit-swapping in the colourful world of Demashq.
Samar works night shifts so she can spend her days hanging out with her friends, a vibrant group of trendy witches and demons. You’ll meet Mo, a stunning demon and Samar’s best friend, the poly trio of Cleo, Dio, and Theo, and the cool yet sensitive Pookie.
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As you spend time with this quirky crew, you’ll start to notice an unsettling increase in spirits crossing into your world — definitely not ideal, especially with a big-time band touring and the watch party Samar is hosting that must go to plan. It’s all about teamwork, as you join forces with your friends to handle the pesky spirits, ensuring both the concert and the party go on uninterrupted.
While the match-3 spirit-swapping gameplay might seem like the main goal in Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To, the true heart of the game lies within its wholesome conversations and watching Samar nurture her friendships.
Graphics and Soundtrack
The game is beautifully vibrant, with its colourful — almost psychedelic — backdrops and uniquely designed characters. The character art is anime-inspired, with each NPC bringing their own palettes and styles. With its array of pinks, purples and witchy elements, the cosy vibes are strong with this one!
During the puzzle gameplay, each match of gems comes with a cute burst of particle effects, like sparkles and butterflies, making it super satisfying to hit those combos.
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With LoFi right in the title, the soundtrack is packed with laid-back beats, and I’m definitely not complaining. The music creates a calming atmosphere, making it easy to get lost in the puzzles while enjoying the beautiful tunes.
Should I buy Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match 3 To?
With its friendship building elements, romance options, and plenty of items to collect, Spirit Swap stands out against other match-3 games. It gives you plenty of reasons to keep coming back.
Soft Not Weak LLC has excelled in creating an inclusive and engaging game that everyone can enjoy. Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To scratches that cosy itch and is just an all-around lovable experience. It’s impressive how such a simple concept can be executed so vibrantly. My only downside? I wish the story was longer!
Quest Daily scores Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match 3 To:
8/10
Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To is out now on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
Quest Daily was suppled with an early review copy of Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To thanks to the publisher.
