Enemies are stronger, as you’d expect, meaning some enemies require a more tactical approach to take down. It also changes up the dynamics of play fairly significantly. Getting the hang of this can all feel a little overwhelming at first, but any confusion quickly slips away as the game’s rhythm settles in, and it doesn’t take long to feel comfortable with what’s expected of you.Ĭo-op play is local only, but the drop-in, drop-out system makes it very easy to have another player come and go at any moment. If you succeed, Ditto lives in peace for 100 years until Mormo returns, and it all happens all over again. If you die before then, Mormo wins and Ditto lives under her rule for another 100 years before the new Sword of Ditto is awakened, and the cycle continues.

The main loop of each playthrough is simple: Wake up, gather a sword from its resting place in the town of Ditto-either from statue or in the graveyard-to become the hero, then seek out the Toys of Legend to destroy the Anchors that the villain Mormo uses to strengthen her grasp on the world, making her easier to defeat in the final confrontation. And while it doesn’t offer anything particularly groundbreaking to seasoned RPG or roguelite fans and backs you into a wall in some confusing ways, the intuitive nature of its systems, along with the inclusion of local two player co-op, makes The Swords of Ditto a fun leap down the rabbit hole into saving a strange and ever-changing cursed town. It mixes childlike cartoon visuals and a delightful soundtrack with light puzzles and simple-yet-challenging combat. As games continue to grow in scope and complexity, there is something to be said about the light-hearted, compact RPG stylings of The Swords of Ditto.

The swords of ditto