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About Hiveswap Friendsim
Hiveswap Friendsim is a darkly comedic episodic visual novel set in the Homestuck/Hiveswap universe. You play an unnamed protagonist who crash‑lands on the alien world of Alternia, seeking friendship to survive. The game spans 18 volumes released together, blending adventure, indie, RPG, and simulation elements. It targets fans of the original series who want a darker, loosely‑canonical journey across underground clubs and mansions.
01 / THE GUIDE
Narrative Setting
The story places you on Alternia after a crash landing, with no food, medicine, or prospects. Your primary goal is to forge friendships with trolls across the hemospectrum.
The tone is darkly comedic, and the adventure moves through grimy underground clubs to stately mansions, reflecting the series’ time frame of Hiveswap: Act 1 and characters from Act 2.
- Observe how each location’s description hints at the protagonist’s desperation.
- Compare the tone to earlier Homestuck entries to gauge the shift toward darker humor.
02 / THE GUIDE
Volume Structure
Purchasing the game unlocks all 18 volumes at once, presenting the story as a continuous visual novel adventure rather than staggered releases.
Each volume continues the protagonist’s quest, maintaining the episodic format while allowing players to progress without waiting for new content.
- Treat each volume as a chapter to track narrative development.
- Note recurring characters to see how they evolve across volumes.
03 / THE GUIDE
Input Options
The game supports full controller use, a keyboard‑only option, and a mouse‑only option, giving players flexibility in how they navigate menus and dialogue.
These options are listed as separate features, meaning each input method can be selected without reliance on the others.
- Try the keyboard‑only mode if you prefer precise text navigation.
- Switch to controller support for a more relaxed, hands‑off experience.
04 / THE GUIDE
Save System
Players may save at any point, allowing them to pause the narrative whenever desired. The game is also listed as playable without timed input, which can ease pressure during decisions.
Saved progress can be accessed later, supporting a casual play style that fits the visual‑novel format.
- Create frequent saves before major dialogue choices.
- Use the save feature to experiment with different narrative paths.
05 / THE GUIDE
Platform Availability
Hiveswap Friendsim runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, covering the major desktop operating systems supported by the store.
The game is single‑player and includes family sharing, meaning a purchased copy can be shared within a household.
- Check your OS version for compatibility before installing.
- Utilize family sharing to let multiple users experience the story.
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