Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition

not worth it.

Could be a nice simple game if it's simple mechanics such as jump would at least work flawlessly...
No wonder why I found so much bugs in their next game like Shantae series. They can't even programm such basic things in the first place

Half of a time game won't register jumps when you're doing anything else. There's literally 5 types of keypresses that game have to register - Jump, moving to sides, shoot and switch blocks (there's also posibility to move your camera in VERY limited space, I just don't count it since it's totally useless), and game really struggles to register jump in particular whenever you sent more than 1 command... I have no words... It's especially noticable on auto-switching levels. In addition, auto-switches also causing unregistered keypresses. Nice.

Other really dumb, in my opinion, thing is how they designed few bonus levels.
You have to KNOW what's gonna be further ahead beforehand or otherwise, if you do your best to react to changes right when they appear on your screen, you still won't make it in time. Without looking at walkthrough on web, you have to spend your lifes dying on every new part of the level, since camera movement there is absolutely useless, 'cause it doesn't go far enough to see what's coming. Basically it's designed to purely waste your time. To add more to already horrible problems, cue sounds your hat does when it's about to auto-switch blocks are so quiet that almost every single sound in game overlaps it, so only way for you so counting on your visuals without blinking or manually blinking in-between... wow. My eyes looked like I had the hardest wheat I could ever find.

What's annoys me the most, is how "block priviledges" as I call them, working across all levels:

If you're out of block you're targeting by literally 1% of your total hitbox - you'll be showed to the side side instead (but mostly you'll get squashed since jump-block quite often are accompanied with basic block).

BUT!

If enemy is overlapping from it's general block it's in by 1% - game decided for some reason to teleport enemy to tiles next to what it was in (I often encounter this frustrating piece of crap when you have to utilize jump blocks to move enemies somewhere else. They literally getting sucked into jump-blocks next to them in the middle of jumping animation!).

...why?


It's really a shame to see devs not learning or polishing their games and keep making them with similar fundamental bugs (refering to newer Shantae installement).

I've been playing this game for almost 10 years on my 3ds and I'm still not bored of it. Its a fun puzzle platformer which is simple enough to grasp the mechanics of but quite challenging to master. Levels have tons of replay value due to how fun it is trying to beat your best times and the music is god tier. Do yourself a favour and pick this gem up! It still holds up

Pros:
Mighty Switch Force is a cool puzzle platformer with a well realized gimmick and great music. It starts out pretty easy but once you make it to the hyper stages it becomes quite and enjoyable challenge.

Cons:
Hooligan sisters did nothing wrong

WARNING: Do NOT buy this version of Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition!

Instead, check out the Mighty Switch Force Collection, which is available here on Steam. The collection includes:

- Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition (i.e. this game)

- The original Mighty Switch Force in pixel-art style

- Mighty Switch Force 2 (also in pixel-art style)

- And Mighty Switch Force Academy

You can get the collection here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/832320/Mighty_Switch_Force_Collection/

- - -

Now, in regards to MSF:HDE as a stand-alone product, I think it's a great puzzle-platformer! To me the switching mechanic feels really good, and results in pretty entertaining gameplay. It also has good music, and I like this game's remastered art more than the original's pixel-art style.

If you enjoy puzzle-platformers then I totally recommend you try MSF:HDE… but as I mentioned before, it's a much better deal to get the game as part of the Mighty Switch Force Collection, than buying this stand-alone version of the game (that's why this version gets a thumbs down from me).

From the creative minds responsible for the Shantae series comes this wonderfully confusing action-puzzle game.

The artwork, world, and character designs are iconically Way Forward; everything is adorable and dances along with the background music in their idle pose. Mighty Switch Force takes place in an almost cyber-punk setting reminescient of Robocop crossed with Rockman.
Somehow, the backdrop of city lights and towering buildings does little to detract from the overall charm of the cartoon-like character designs, which I personally love.

Mighty Switch Force's gameplay is outwardly kind of like a scrolling action-platform game. Deep in its core, however, there's much more puzzle solving than action. The unique gimmick is based around the main character's ability to toggle specific background objects into the foreground or to do the reverse, hence the name, "Switch Force."
The game manages to sqeeze just about all it can out of this core gameplay concept, introducing a variety of different blocks that behave in unique ways. It isn't a particularly long game, even counting the optional stages, but it's very satisfying while it lasts.

The first of my only two complaints I have is in regards to the game's hit detection; it's pixel-perfect in all the wrong ways. Patricia is actually a few pixels larger than her art on a few sides, especially in her jumping animation. The result is the game has a very bad habit of deciding that the edge of one of the aglets on Patricia's shoelaces was slightly overlapping part of the shading on a nearby block that is entering the foreground, sending her smashing headlong into the screen and sending the player back to the previous checkpoint.
This is funny, charitably speaking, maybe twice. After that I started to get the impression that the game was out to get me.

The other annoyance, for me at least, was the game's health system. Being hit by some obstacles and enemies causes Patricia to lose a heart and flicker for a few seconds, while taking damage from other hazards causes her to fall off the screen and return to the previous checkpoint. The inconsistency gave the game an unpolished feel.

Nothing in those two drawbacks would ever stop me from recommending this, though. Mighty Switch Force is vibrant and fun, never losing its characteristic sense of humor, while still providing a good, meaty challenge,

Very awesome to see these puzzle platformers come to PC. This is the best looking/ playing switch force game so far. Wayforward tends to do a great job of porting to PC, Ducktales and the new Shantae are other great examples of the quality ports/games they do.

A short and sweet play from the geniuses at WayForward blessed by the stupefying musical mastery of Jake Kaufman/virt.

Go for all the achievements if you dare take a real challenge. Sharper graphics and additional incidents makes this a steal.

This is the best puzzle-platformer I've played in years!

In this game, WayForward, best known for the outstanding Shantae series, showcases their mastery of level design with a whopping 42 stages of hectic block-switching action. By my standards, puzzle-platformers fail if they're too plodding, or if their signature mechanics are too one-dimensional. Mighty Switch Force!, though, hits all the right notes with smoothly flowing stages that are meant to be played fast, and with the continual "switching up" of its simple-seeming handful of tricks into endlessly inventive combinations. The dressing is great too: the cartoon sprites are gorgeously animated and the candy-sweet electronica rocks. I'm going to buy the soundtrack as soon as I finish writing this!

One more thing: I actually completed all achievements in this game! I don't hundred-percent games very often, because so many of them require you to suffer the agonies of hell in order to do it, and I think that takes all the fun out of playing. This game, however, let's you grab all the achievements in the ordinary course of skillful, (sanely) passionate play. You might drop a few beads of sweat or let flee a few F-bombs in finishing the "hyper bonus" stages under par, but you'll never lose the sense of obsessive platforming fun that Mighty Switch Force! engenders from the start!

I'm only 12 levels through the game at this point, but already I'm enjoying it immensely. This is what a platformer should feel like!

The graphics are awesome, and the controls are super responsive. There's no music, other than the loading screens, but the sound effects in-game are, for the most part, absolutely appropriate. I do feel like the use of the word, "yummy" is overdone and somewhat awkward, but that feels a bit nit-picky at this point.

There are quick-switch mechanics in this game, just like with Giana Sisters Twisted Dreams, Contrast, and Chronology, and this developer, like those who made the other outstanding games I mentioned, did it right.

This is a game for anyone looking for a platformer or even a mild puzzle-platformer. There is a little bit of puzzling and thinking to some of the levels, but the mix of pure, unthinking platforming enjoyment along with the challenge related to the quick-switch mechanics just feels right.

This is a game that can be played in short intervals, as there are checkpoints and brief levels referred to as, "incidents." Gamers looking for a casual experience or one that won't deprive them of daylight for the foreseeable future, should definitely give this one a try.

Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition also has replaybility, because of the addition of personal best scores for timed levels and a speedrunning option, as well as the normal story mode, and even a harder difficulty level for hardcore gamers.

Most gamers will be able to find something to enjoy here. I definitely recommend it!

Mighty Switch Force is a 2-D puzzle-platformer with stage-based gameplay and a unique mechanic: blocks are either solid or transparent, and the player can switch them back and forth at any time. Puzzles often require precisely-timed switches, even while midair, to progress. The game contains 21 different stages, along with “hyper” versions of those stages that add a more difficult twist.

APPROXIMATE LENGTH
5 hours to clear all stages. Getting “star” times on all stages will take about another 5 (Warning: this is a puzzle game! Skill levels change times drastically!)

PROS
(+) Puzzle mechanics are easy to learn, hard to master
(+) No hand-holding; the game forces the player to learn organically
(+) Finely-tuned difficulty curve with challenges for everyone
(+) High quality cartoony character sprites
(+) Diverse and fun techno soundtrack

CONS
(-) Only one very boring boss
(-) Large character hitboxes make precise positioning difficult
(-) Vocal sound effects can get annoying after a while
(-) Doesn’t make the most of the switch mechanic overall

OVERALL
If a skilled artist were forced to paint a picture with only three colors, they would still do a great job, but a viewer would probably be left wondering what the picture could have looked like if only the artist had used more colors. That’s what Mighty Switch Force feels like.

This game saved me from shitty "normie" MOBAs and competitive Chernobyl

A fun puzzle/platformer with nice aesthetics and music. MSF has 16 regular and 5 bonus stages, plus unlockable remixed versions of levels after you clear all the regular and bonus stages. Game handles well and the controls are simple. You can jump, shoot, switch and that's it. You're always at max speed so there's no need to hold a button to run, which is always a plus. Art is nice and clean and the soundtrack by Jake Kaufman is up-tempo and catchy.

Gameplay-wise, there's no fat. No cut-scenes, no dialogue, no tutorials. It feels very acadey in this sense, as most levels are designed to be beaten in a couple of minutes and are fairly compact. There are a few variations to block-switching, but nothing too hard to grasp outside of initially figuring out how red/blue lock blocks work. I hate red/blue lock blocks.

Each level's goal is to solve puzzles to find the five hooligan sisters scattered about. You're not likely to find yourself annoyed at finding a missing sister since the game has a handy "pointer" system that directs you in the location of the nearest sister. It's a simple thing but it helps keep the pace up.

The only two negatives I can see for this game are length and the last level. Clearing the 16 normal and 5 bonus stages probably won't take more than 3-4 hours for most people. The replayability comes from trying to "low-score"/speedrun the levels in the fastest amount of time. If you're into that, you just added a lot of extra gameplay. You also unlock a sort of easy mode gun by beating the game that lets you play through a number of levels in a different manner.

I'm much more about quality of gameplay over quantity, so I'd definitely rather play a 3-5 hour game that's really fun like MSF than a 12-25 hour game that's kind of okay. If you have a "I need x amount of gameplay for every dollar spent" mentality, you'll probably find yourself cringing at the idea of paying 10 bucks for a short game like MSF, but if you don't think like that, you'll probably be happy with a full price purchase if you like puzzle/platformers.

Onto to the second negative, the last level of both the regular stages and bonus stages are pretty bad and do the terrible video game thing of taking the primary gameplay mechanic of a game and flipping it out its head. Throughout the game, you have complete control of block switching and playing mostly compact, short stages. For whatever reason, WayForward thought it was good idea to make the finales really long and with an automated switch mechanic. There's also much more a focus on fast-twitch platforming and I could see people who are more interested in the puzzle part of puzzle/platformer giving up in frustration. It also doesn't help that MSF has an archaic life system that really rears its head during the finales. It's very annoying to get near the end of the level only to suffer a cheap death, and there are truly cheap deaths near the end of the finales, and have to start over from the beginning. Then again, WayForward had a dumb life system in DuckTales, too.

In short,
+ a fun, nice-looking puzzle/platformer with a good soundtrack and replayability if you're into speedrunning levels.
- the last levels of both the regular and bonus modes are difficult in way the rest of the game isn't, and a short overall play time if you just one-and-done each level.

Mighty Switch Force? More like Mighty THIGH Force! Juicy thick thighs aside, very solid game with only 16 levels of platforming and puzzling, it may be only 16, but those 16 levels will keep you busy for a while if you are one of them compeltionst types, trying to get those last tedious achievements.

Graphics are also very pleasing to look at, like VERY pleasing with many colors, different backgrounds, enemies and characters with fluid animations. Speaking of the characters, Practica Wagon and the Hooligans are most pleasing to look at. All this topped with a great soundtrack, whats not to like?

Buy it, love it, gift it to friends, do whatever to get WayForward's attention to get the sequel ported as well. I am very pleased and surprised that this game made it to Steam, pleased of this port, and pleased of rule 34 of Patricia Wagon and the Hooligan girls.

10 mighty thighs out of 10

Mighty Switch Force! stands alongside the Shantae series as one of WayForward's greatest accomplishments.

• The gameplay of MSF is a mix of puzzler and action platformer, and the two blend very well; some levels require critical thought, others require split-second reaction, and beating the developer par times will require both. Controls are tight and responsive, and you never feel cheated when you die.
  
• The visuals have been drastically overhauled from the 3DS version, with hand-drawn animation and high-resolution backgrounds replacing the pixelated sprite art. The jump to HD was handled very well, something Wii U owners are already well-aware of.
  
• MSF's music was written by skilled composer Jake Kaufman, and the soundtrack to this game may very well be his magnum opus. If you've ever played a Shantae game, Shovel Knight, Double Dragon Neon, or Ducktales Remastered, you know to expect lots of earworms.
  
[*]This port is near-flawless. Expect uninterrupted 60FPS at all times. Controls can be rebound, arbitrary resolutions are supported, and xinput controlers are a plug-and-play affair. There are a few new features exclusive to the Steam release of Hyper Drive Edition as well, such as Steamworks-enabled leaderboards and achievements.

Personal rating: 9/10

What to expect from Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition

Jump, shoot and switch it up!

For both people looking for a casual experience to people looking for challenges

Hyper Drive exclusive levels

Graphics and music

All in all

Target Audience: Puzzle Platformer Fans

Summary:

Wayforward is one of those companies that impress me with pretty much everything they put out lately, and this is no exception. The solid gameplay and fantastic level design and progression is the star here, as the reuse of elements and mix of them up makes every level feel new and interesting. The HD upgrade is definitely appreciated for this 3DS port, and the game runs fantastically on pretty much all levels, and I love the animation quality and the characters designs. Honestly, when it comes down to it, there's not a lot I can really say that really doesn't work for the game as a whole: everything works together to make a solid experience. It's not a GOTY candidate by any means, but it's definitely a game that puts enjoyment as one of its core experiences, and I can't argue against a game for less then 10 dollars that delivered on almost every level. Definitely worth a pickup for the puzzle-platform lover, and even for those who may not like the genre regardless.

Gameplay Footage and Video First Impressions: http://youtu.be/fy22p7S-Fh4

Lists:

+:

• Gameplay is fantastic all around. Great implementation of controls on top of simple yet solid gameplay makes for an enjoyable experience.
  
• Level design and progression is done fabulously. Even with using the same mechanics, it changes things up and mixes them around so well that you don't even notice, and the progression curve on that is exactly what you want: not to steep, but not to shallow. The strength off the game.
  
• The upgraded visuals and animations make the game come to life. I love the designs of characters, and in particular the animations stand out in just me having the character sit there and just enjoy watching them.
  
• The music is a highlight, complimenting the levels in high energy, and it's clear that the composer knew the game inside and out.
  
• Game runs rather well overall with no hiccups in performance, and at a high frame rate. What little options that are there is what you need for a game like this.
  
• Replayability is high with ways to improve your runs time wise.
  
• Love the inclusion of the old pixel sprite as a playable character.
  
• All of the above is combined well together, and nothing distracts from any other element. Not only was the design done well, it was executed well.
  

• In the end, there is only so much you can get out of the simple gameplay, and won't be for people who prefer in depth mechanics.
  
• Do have concerns about the depth of content, given the number of levels that are seemingly there. Can't confirm that however, and so that's a possibility.
  
[*] Wish the game didn't take me back to the level select menu every time I complete a level. Let me just go to the next one in succession or give me a menu like that before taking me back.

I'm not going to lie, Mighty Switch Force and its sequel were the reason I purchased a Nintendo 3DS and it's a decision I am glad I went with.

You play as Patricia Wagon who is on the pursuit to repromand the Hooligan Sisters in a 2D puzzle platformer.

MSF gameplay involves switiching blocks from transparency to be used as platforms, defeat enemies and traverse the stages to re-arrest the Hooligans. It's a simple mechanic that is all done with the press of a button but as you progress the stages and blocks become more varied and difficult. When switching blocks the others that are already physical will disapear, some blocks are needed to be used as cannons and some can be altered by stepping on them. The puzzles won't leave you stumped but do excpect some challange. The game is more about it's arcade like time attack then it's puzzle solving and nothing illustrates this point more than the superb soundtrack created by Jake Kauffamn (Virt) who creates a highly intense, hyperactive 16 bit score a kin to the Megaman series. (seriously go get his album it's even free on his website but give him something you won't regret it).

The PC version throws away the pixel art from clean animatied sprites and a much higher resolution that makes the stages pop with colour and vibrance in a techno city. If you miss the sprites you have the option to turn them on.

I'm a big fan of Wayforwards work and if you enjoy your classic platofrming mixed with varied puzzles, orgasmic music and colourful worlds you owe yourself to give Mighty switch Force the attention it so rightfully deserves.

Serve and protect by swithcing it up!

Mighty Switch Force is hybrid platformer between puzzle and action side scrolling. You play as Patricia Wagon who has to capture 5 escaped Hooligan Sisters and reunite with Corporal Gendarmor (one eyed robot) to clear the stage.

+Really good port from 3ds with HD graphic
+Puzzle part is really fun and creative
+Plantformer part is not as hard as Super Meat Boy or They Bleed Pixel but still challenging. Therefore you don't need to have hardcore platforming skill to enjoy this game.
+Good music, especially the one that Parricia rode Corporal Gendarmor out after clearing the stage.
+Trading Card and Achievement
+ Hooligan Sisters are cute.
+ Like Megaman with boobs


The amount of stages aren't that much but still enough to keep you busy and enjoying for a while which worth even for the full price.

Upon hearing about this game's port to Steam on Wayforward's website, I was ecstatic. Checking the Steam store everyday in hopes to see it. And the day has finally arrived! I'm a fan of Wayforward's Shantae series so I was eager to jump into their other games.

Story
In Mighty Switch force, you play as the aptly named Patricia Wagon after what appears to be a prison transport vehicle crashes and releases all of these blonde female prisoners in short shorts, miniskirts, and low cut dresses. And taken from both the background and the stages itself, the game appears to take place in a dystopian like universe or more like the Chemical Plant zone from Sonic 2

Gameplay
The game is in short, is a puzzle platformer. As you progress through levels, you use Patricia's ability to alter reality, bringing blocks and other items in existance and taking others out. All the while, capturing the escaped prisoners and taking out the occasional baddie with your laser pistol. You aren't actually given a tutorial and your just thrown right into the game after starting the first level and getting a quick cutscene that stages the story. Patricia can only take three hits, so if those three hearts get depleted, it's back to the stage selection screen for you. Fortunately, you can restore her health by eating...floppy discs? She says yum so she must be eating them for whatever reason.

Levels
All the levels are rather unique, introducing a new mtheod to solving puzzles with each stage, along with an amazing soundtrack that are unique to each individual stage. And each stage having a bit of replayability due to their being a par time to see how fast you can complete it. And after playing a few levels, it seems rather difficult to accomplish, at least from my perspective.

Artstyle
I felt like I needed to mention this. I can't get over Wayforward's artstyle and feeling the need to praise it whenever given the chance. It's phenomenal.

Negatives
There are a few bad things to say about this title, as I mentioned before there's no tutorial. Whether you see this as a good thing or a bad thing, it's entirely opinion. But I honestly prefer some sort of introduction to Patricia's ability to bend reality. Granted there are few controls so not much to get upset over. And there really isn't much of a story which I think is rather unfortunate considering that their Shantae series is brimming with life and a story with witty dialogue that's sure to be remembered. While the only dialogue you'll be getting here is "Justice is Served" or "Checkpoint"!

Verdict
It's a honestly a rather fun enjoyable game that's easy to jump right into. And for the price of ten dollars, it's not bad especially if your a Wayforward fan

Mighty Switch Force! is a great little title, first appearing on the 3DS. It's a fun little puzzle platformer. You play as a 'sexy cop' to stop all the 'sexy criminals' in a timely matter!

The music was made by Jake "VIRT" Kaufman. Who is amazing. He did the OST to Shovel Knight.

Gameplay is a lot of fun, and the music is great. It makes you use your brain if you really want to get the 'par' times on all the stages.

10/10 would buy again. Hopefully the sequel will come to steam too!