Imagine a re-imagined Lemmings in which you control the Lemmings directly instead of simply guide them, and you have an inkling of an idea about Swarm, a sidescrolling platformer which tasks you with controlling 50 characters at once instead of one.
Swarm
For: PS3 (via PlayStation Network) and Xbox 360 (via Xbox Live Arcade)
From: Hothead Games/Ignition Entertainment
Rating: Teen (animated blood, cartoon violence)
Price: $US15
The goal in Swarm is to get as many swarmites to the exit as possible, and rack up an impressive score by keeping your score multiplier high while also keeping swarmite casualties to a minimum.
But that's easier said than done.
The adorable swarmites - bug-eyed blue aliens who demonstrate no free will - are as stupid as they look, and magnets for danger.
Occasionally, when you need a few to sacrifice themselves to protect the rest, their stupidity is beneficial.
Mostly, though, it's just trouble, and when Swarm's trickier levels ask you to perform manoeuvres that would require finesse with one character, never mind 50, don't be surprised to limp to the exit after witnessing the deaths of 500 swarmites in just a few minutes.
Level checkpoints frequently resupply your swarmite army, but you'll want to keep as many of your original 50 alive as possible in order to access certain level secrets and score high enough to unlock the next level.
Swarm's odd controls take some practice, but mostly the challenge it presents is the good kind.
If you love your sidescrolling platformers and like being challenged, don't skip this.
