02/19/2015
-Introduction-
Swarm simulator is a Text-Based Idle game that was released to Kongregate on February 16th 2015. In the very short period of time, it has yielded a rather high player count and rating, most likely based on it's characteristics and simplicity. If you are seeking high graphic gameplay this game might not be for you in the slightest, but it is far more than the basic thrown together idle game. The values are honest and it stimulates your interest in the game from the beginning and as your progress.
-Physical Qualities-
Swarm simulator contains little to no audio and the games interface is that of a simplistic text style game. Though the game lacks exploding cars and near fatal collisions most people strive for, it was well thought out and cleanly designed to attract people to sit and stay awhile. The colors are not painfully clashing and the scheme is well maintained. Clicking through this game is very smooth as menus glide and are not blotchy or uncomfortable. Progress Bars and notifications are clean and informative.
-Gameplay-
Tutorial of the game is tied into the catagories itself, and not in a controlling and annoying fashion. Swarm Simulator is just as any Idle game goes.. Buy Producers, Gain Production, Rinse, Repeat. As most of the genre, your gameplay is infinite as items still cost more or the option to buy items matches or exceeds what you have. Unlike most games, purchases do not neccesarily increase greatly/if at all over time, with each purchase. Instead you are prompted to purchase the amount that you can afford, which in turn, shows that production of items are even faster. Bigger purchases develop over time but the waiting aspect is not very overwhelming. Offline gameplay will produce high quantities as you are away and does not hinder your online production, though you will eventually cap on items in which you will have to purchase more items again.
-Replayability-
Replayability of this game ranges from person to person. As Swarm Simulator and most other Idle Games don't end, one would have to seek out the genre to want to come back. Standalone, I don't neccesarily feel that this game causes an overwhelming urge to break in and play it again. It lacks in places to make up for the non-idle gamers to stick around. From time to time, I could see people checking back now and again and maybe play it for a little while before putting it on the shelf.
-Hacking Power-
The hacking power of Swarm Simulator presents a rather strong wall at the moment. Values are not as easy to search for unless you know what you are doing. Many people are going to have to wait this one out for people to produce values in order to make any progress in this department. For those with Cheat Engine, it really depends on the skill and what effort you put into it, as it is not particularly easy, like most games. Was this for a reason? Or just coincidental.. Who knows.
-The Verdict-
Swarm Simulator is fun and entertaining for a good few hours, but it's nothing I'd really call home about. With it's strikingly high popularity I could see that being due to a Domino Effect, but I could be wrong. If you're pretty casual on your gameplay, you just might stick around for the further development of this game, though I doubt you'll find an end to it.