It’s challenging for developers to take an established genre and add their own twist, but Soft Not Weak accomplished just that with Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match 3-To. They incorporated magic, romance, and customization into the basic components of a match-three game, resulting in a unique and enjoyable game.
As a witch, your job is to capture spirits by matching three of the same color. Matching three spirits of the same color clears that area and causes the rest of the spirits to fall. This game is narrative-driven, so you will encounter friends dealing with issues. You will have to play "against" them and win to progress. In the demo I played, I had to defeat my opponents three times before I could advance.
One of the advantages you have as a witch is magic. You can cast a spell by matching four spirits as a square, and in the demo, the spell cleared out the top few rows. This adds a bit of strategy to the play because I accidentally cleared the spirits a few times before I could match them into the box formation.
Spirit Swap has beautiful visuals. The bright colors and well-designed characters enhance the game's chill feeling. The music stood out to me as well. I could sit and listen to the music all day. And similar to the art style, the music sets the stage for a laid-back, chill experience.
The demo didn’t provide any romance options, but in conversation with the developer, they stated that you can romance any of the characters you meet. Additionally, you'll be able to decorate your room with items, although this feature was not seen in the demo.
I walked away from the experience, wanting more. I can’t wait to see where the story goes and how romance shapes the game. Additionally, the game offers local co-op, allowing you to continue enjoying it with your friends after completing the story. If this interests you, check out the available demo on Steam.