The Indie Informer

Match-3 games, when done right, excel at lulling players into a zen-like state of puzzle-swapping bliss. Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To captures nirvana and layers on a lofi soundtrack, charming visuals, and a comforting vibe to its action. Though the package is sparse with a narrative element that doesn’t grab me, the core gameplay should attract anyone who uses puzzle games to decompress and zone out.

Fans of the SNES cult classic Panel de Pon, perhaps better known in the West as Tetris Attack, should feel right at home in Spirit Swap. Unlike traditional Tetris, players can only swap two tiles horizontally to line up three matching symbols to clear them from the ever-rising board. Hanging tiles can also strategically plummet into open spaces below. Thanks to Panel de Pon’s arrival to Nintendo Switch Online, I became a big (and late) fan, so I was eager to try Spirit Swap’s modernized spin on the formula.  

Spirit Swap plays identically to Panel De Pon but adds fun wrinkles in the form of board-clearing spells. These special powers activate depending on how tiles are arranged. A matching 2×2 square-shaped pattern can clear several topmost rows. A cross shape can clear all tiles within each of its cardinal directions. Equipping up to three spells at a time from a growing pool of them adds a thoughtful preamble to starting a round, and they’re obtained by completing the game’s story campaign.

I don’t need a narrative hook to enjoy a good Match-3 game, and Spirit Swap’s charming but flat tale doesn’t change my mind. As the witch Samar, you’ll stop invading spirits by playing competitive best-of-three puzzle battles against her fantastical (and beautifully illustrated) friend circle while lending an ear to their personal plights. Whether it’s comforting Samar’s BFF after a breakup or cultivating a romance with a cool skater boi, spending time with folks raises Samar’s bond with them. Deepend relationships reward new spells and a small selection of new decor, such as plushies or a froggy rug, to jazz up her customizable bedroom.

It’s the lightest take on systems like Persona’s Social Links and Animal Crossing’s Happy Home Designer. Combined with a thin narrative, the campaign feels more like a garnish to the core gameplay than a meaningful destination. I’m not the biggest home decor guy, and Samar and Co. seem lovely, but I wanted to skip through their dialogue to jump quickly to the next round of puzzle swapping. Perhaps that’s a testament to the strength of the versus matches, where players swap furiously while sabotaging each other by sending obstructing trash blocks. 

As such, most of my time with Spriit Swap has been spent testing my skills in its Endless Mode. I swapped my heart’s content under various settings, such as adjusting the tile speed and overall difficulty. I appreciate how these options allow Spriit Swap to be as relaxed or intense as players prefer.

Spirit Swap nails its relaxing vibe as effectively as its match-3 gameplay. The vibrant art direction makes it easy on the eyes while its enjoyable lofi soundtrack calms the nerves. Perhaps the best compliment I can give is I’ve already burned through a couple of podcasts while lining up its whimsical tiles. When I’m looking to ease my nerves with a good puzzler, I’m happy that Spirit Swap will have my back.