Hiveswap: Friendsim

Hiveswap: Friendsim is a visual novel set in the Homestuck universe, focusing on the interactions between humans and the troll species of Alternia. The game allows players to engage in a comedic narrative, exploring relationships and adventures through a fixed, flip-screen perspective. Players navigate through menu structures to uncover the story, making choices that influence the outcome of their interactions with various characters.

Hiveswap: Friendsim – A Love Letter to Alternia’s Oddballs

Introduction

In the sprawling, labyrinthine universe of Homestuck, few spin-offs have captured the essence of Andrew Hussie’s absurdist charm quite like Hiveswap: Friendsim (2018). A visual novel companion to the episodic adventure Hiveswap, Friendsim is a microcosm of Alternia’s violent whimsy, blending dark humor, eccentric character studies, and sporadic existential dread. This review argues that while Friendsim is a niche addition to the Homestuck canon, its unapologetic celebration of Alternia’s weirdness makes it indispensable for fans—and an oddity for outsiders.

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Development History & Context

Studio Turbulence & Episodic Ambitions

Developed by What Pumpkin Games, Friendsim emerged amid a rocky period for the Hiveswap project. Following a record-breaking $2.4 million Kickstarter campaign in 2012, Hiveswap’s development was plagued by delays, studio changes (initially with The Odd Gentlemen, later in-house), and a shift from 3D to 2D art. By 2018, Friendsim was released as a low-cost, episodic stopgap to appease fans during Hiveswap: Act 2’s production. Built on Ren’Py, a visual novel engine, it prioritized rapid iteration over complexity, with 18 “volumes” released biweekly.

A Fractured Landscape

At the time of its release, Friendsim entered a visual novel market dominated by narrative-heavy titles like Doki Doki Literature Club and Phoenix Wright. However, its episodic structure and reliance on Homestuck lore set it apart—for better or worse.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

“You Are Desperate for Friendship”

Players assume the role of an unnamed human (the “MSPA Reader”) stranded on Alternia, tasked with befriending 38 trolls across disparate vignettes. Each volume introduces two trolls, ranging from lowly rustbloods to violet-blooded aristocrats, with dialogue choices determining whether you survive the encounter or meet a grisly end.

Themes: Survival, Satire, & Social Hierarchy

Friendsim revels in Alternia’s brutal caste system (the hemospectrum), using humor to critique systemic oppression. For instance, the teal-blooded Tagora Gorjek weaponizes bureaucratic jargon to gaslight the player, while the gold-blooded Zebruh Codakk embodies predatory elitism. Yet beneath the absurdity lies pathos: many trolls, like the disabled Folykl Darane or the anxious Tyzias Entykk, grapple with isolation and societal neglect.

Writing: Hit-or-Miss Absurdism

Co-written by Andrew Hussie and a team including Aysha U. Farah and Cee L. Kyle, the dialogue oscillates between Homestuck’s signature rapid-fire jokes (“#LOLSHRIMP” becomes a recurring meme) and abrupt tonal whiplash. One moment, you’re debating dream philosophy with Marxist trolls; the next, you’re impaled for mispronouncing a name. While uneven, the writing shines in character études like Volume 12’s Mallek Adalov, a drone mechanic whose stoicism masks profound loneliness.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Binary Choices, Limited Agency

Friendsim opts for simplicity: each chapter offers 3–5 dialogue choices, culminating in “success” (friendship), “failure” (death or humiliation), or neutral endpoints. While this approach avoids bloated decision trees, it often reduces interactions to trial-and-error, with illogical outcomes (e.g., offering a shrimp cocktail may save you or get you stabbed).

Structure: Episodic Fractures

The non-linear, anthology-style format allows players to tackle volumes in any order, but this undermines narrative cohesion. Characters reappear inconsistently, and choices rarely carry over, making Friendsim feel like a series of inside jokes rather than a unified story.

UI & Accessibility

The minimalist UI—static character sprites, text bubbles, and a glossary for Homestuck jargon—serves its purpose, though the lack of voice acting or meaningful animation may deter newcomers.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Alternia in Pastels

Friendsim’s art team, including Danny Cragg and Adrienne Garcia, leans into Homestuck’s iconic aesthetic: jagged horns, wild hairstyles, and blood-color-coded outfits. Each troll’s design reflects their personality, from Marvus Xoloto’s clownish flamboyance to Bronya Ursama’s militaristic severity. Backgrounds, however, are hit-or-miss, with claustrophobic interiors contrasting with lush alien landscapes.

Soundtrack: Synths & Shenanigans

Composers like Toby Fox and James Roach deliver a synth-heavy score that oscillates between eerie ambiance (“Crusted Samurai”) and chaotic bangers (“TASTY”). While lacking Homestuck’s leitmotif density, the music enhances Alternia’s otherworldly vibe.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Divide

Critics praised Friendsim’s humor and character diversity (PSX Brasil: 65/100; Revolution Arena: 7.2/10) but panned its repetitive gameplay and opaque lore. Steam reviews, however, skew overwhelmingly positive (93% approval), highlighting its appeal to Homestuck diehards.

Influence & Canon

Friendsim’s legacy lies in its expansion of Alternia’s lore. Trolls like Tyzias Entykk and Zebruh Codakk later appeared in Hiveswap: Act 2 (2020) and Pesterquest (2019), cementing their place in the canon. Additionally, its experimental format influenced indie visual novels like Paradise Killer, which similarly blend surrealism and social satire.

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Conclusion

Hiveswap: Friendsim is a flawed yet fascinating artifact of the Homestuck universe. Its episodic structure and shallow mechanics limit its mainstream appeal, but its vibrant character writing and dark humor offer a tantalizing glimpse into Alternia’s twisted society. For Homestuck fans, it’s a must-play curio; for others, an eccentric footnote in visual novel history.

Final Verdict:
A witty, chaotic tribute to friendship in a world that wants you dead—best enjoyed with prior knowledge of Hussie’s universe.

Score: 7.5/10 (For Fans) | 5/10 (General Audience)

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Hiveswap: Friendsim is available on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.