Shiftlings

Shiftlings is a 2.5D puzzle platformer. The game is presented as the Shiftlings TV show, a reality TV show about the antics of two alien space janitors presented by Zookod Neutrino. The two aliens, Purple Plop and Green Goop, are tethered through an air supply hose. After one of them drinks a bottle of Black Hola Cola, he ends up with a lot of gas with no way of getting it out of the suit. The main puzzle mechanic is about transferring the gas/air from one alien to another to end up with an inflated and a tiny one. Size swapping can be done at any time using a button. The game supports cooperative multiplayer, both local and online, with two players each controlling an alien and both have access to the ability to shift sizes.

Each level consists of reaching the exit where there is a repair spot the duo has been commissioned to fix. Shifting sizes is needed to get past obstacles, but the mechanics gradually become more complex. The smaller shiftling is more agile; he can jump higher and fits through narrow passages. The weight of the larger one is used to activate switches, drag the other alien or act as a trampoline for the small one using his head. Physics also play an important role. The aliens can launch each other through cannons and can wield anti-gravity beams. Next to size swapping it is possible to control/move both characters at once. They have the same abilities, it is the shifting that makes the difference.

Other hazards include traps, crushing platforms, dangerous robots, electric barriers and laser beams. The aliens also always have to watch out the hose between them is not cut or they both die right away. Levels are split up with checkpoints, so only smaller sections need to be replayed. There are 50 levels divided over five planets with different themes. At the end of each world there is a boss stage with a large character in the background who attempts to interfere with the aliens' progress. Levels also have hidden Black Hole Cola collectibles to pick up.