When you play the game of clones, you win or you die. Or both.

The Swapper is a 2D platformer that asks metaphysical questions about the intersection between consciousness, survival, and identity. I like it quite a lot.

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Another Humble Indie Bundle? What a strange turn of events. I thought for sure that Humble was going to suddenly and inexplicably shut down their massively successful enterprise this time around. I mean, they’re on Humble Indie Bundle 11 now. What a gross number. Ten – nay, X – was so svelte, so confident. It plucked the olive from life’s martini glass just so>, and we all just wanted its gaze to fall on us for a single precious second. So seriously, what’s even the point of having more Humble Bundles? Oh, right: amazing games and charity and stuff. This time around, the star-studded lineup includes Guacamelee, Monaco, Antichamber, and my personal favorite puzzler of 2013, The Swapper.

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[Earth-shaking slapping sounds can be heard in the distance, like fresh lard being cannon-fired at an ancient war drum]

Do you hear that?

[A glass of water ripples ominously; a largely decorative Jello mold does the same, but fails to be particularly frightening]

Something’s coming. Something big.

[Dogs whine, horses stomp frantically, one or two people glance up from Western-shootout-caliber staredowns with Facebook on their phones]

It’s… it’s… SEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL.

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What would you do if you had a small army of identical, perfectly obedient clones? It’s a question I think we’ve all asked ourselves at least once (usually at around age six) but never really contemplated the ramifications of. Facepalm Games’ The Swapper dives deep into that particular rabbit hole, emerging with a wriggling handful of ethical quandaries and some positively brain-busting puzzles. But does it manage to balance its weighty concept with an equally scale-tipping amount of, you know, fun? Here’s wot I think. >

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