PAX East once again proved to be filled with numerous hidden gems, many coming entirely out of left field. One particularly meaty gem happened to be Swapmeat by One More Game, delighting fans of action-adventure titles with its unique roguelike body-swapping gameplay.
Roguelike games are no longer relegated to just deck builders and shoot’em-ups. We’ve seen countless unique titles taking the subgenre into some strange and innovative directions, but few have gone as far (or as weird) as One More Game has with Swapmeat. As I stepped into their booth, it quickly became clear I was in for something special. As the developers periodically chanted “Meat!” as players spun the prize wheel, I acoured the rows of PCs, delighted to find them occupied by smiling players engrossed in gameplay.
At its core, Swapmeat is an action-adventure game featuring a mild, unassuming protagonist thrust into a bizarre but delightful scenario. Players have the ability to rip apart enemies and then attach the meaty body parts to themselves, gaining new abilities and becoming increasingly grotesque and powerful as they progress. As you journey onward, you’ll level up and earn roguelike upgrades, eventually allowing you to carry forward some enhancements as you tackle quests and explore new planets.
During my 20-minute demo, I spent ample time charging through various objectives, collecting new body parts whenever necessary. Losing pieces of your newly formed body became commonplace, particularly when battling stronger enemies. Rather than losing health in the traditional sense, you lose appendages; once all your collected limbs are stripped away, you’re left vulnerable, and the next hit spells certain death and the end of your run.
Gameplay in Swapmeat heavily depends on the types of parts you find and choose to equip. For example, after defeating ninja-like enemies, I collected parts granting sword-like melee attacks or long-range weapon skills. Swapping out my head for a gigantic eyeball allowed me to unleash devastating laser beams strong enough to vaporize even the largest foes. When I began feeling sluggish and needed to boost my mobility, I grabbed the legs of a roller-bot enemy, and before I knew it, I had transformed myself into something resembling a lethal battle segway.
If you successfully overcome the challenges on one world, you’ll journey onward to the next, complete with a host of new enemies, objectives, and quirky events. One of Swapmeat’s standout features is its cooperative gameplay, supporting up to four players. Playing alongside friends significantly enhances the experience, as you all collaboratively create monstrous “meatmen,” traverse treacherous terrains, and face off against even more bizarre adversaries and scenarios.
Along your journey, you’ll also gather supplies. While Swapmeat doesn’t feature crafting in the traditional sense, you can use these resources back on your ship to unlock various upgrades and enhancements. But perhaps the most endearing part of my time with the game was witnessing just how joyfully the developers embraced Swapmeat’s inherent absurdity. Clearly, the idea of assembling a makeshift meat puppet out of enemy body parts possesses comedic charm in itself. However, the developers went even further, packing the game with plenty of surreal humor. At one point, I found a strange weapon—a baby that fired miniature baby heads named Jeff, each one shouting, “My name is Jeff!” upon launch. This hilarious and bizarre weapon was just one of the numerous comedic highlights of my demo.
Swapmeat jumped out from the shadows and instantly hooked me with its creative gameplay, humor, and the overall uniqueness of its body-swapping mechanics, which is why I’ve marked it as my best hidden gem of PAX East. Fortunately, you don’t have to take my word alone. While Swapmeat isn’t officially releasing until later in 2025, playtests have been ongoing, and interested players can jump in early by requesting access to the current playtest available on Steam, running through May 22nd.
If you’re seeking a fresh, entertaining action-adventure roguelike with a strong dash of weird humor, Swapmeat is absolutely a title to watch. Follow the trail of deliciously grotesque body parts and gather your three closest friends, because Swapmeat promises to be an unforgettable, delightfully bizarre adventure.
