Swingo

🧶 Swingo: Pendulums, Elasticity, and Momentum

Swingo is a physics-platformer that disguises a rigorous pendulum simulation behind a cute, bouncy aesthetic. The player controls a character who cannot walk, but can only shoot a grappling hook. Movement is generated entirely through centripetal force and conservation of momentum. You hook a point, swing to build speed, and release to convert angular velocity into linear velocity.

In 2026, this game is a favorite for speedrunning due to its fluid physics engine. It teaches the concept of tangential release: releasing the hook at the exact bottom of the swing gives maximum horizontal speed, while releasing late gives height.

🧠 Cognitive & Physics Skills

Mastering the swing requires intuitive physics:

• Arc Visualization: Before hooking, the player must visualize the radius of the swing. "If I hook here, will my arc clear the spikes?" This requires rapid geometric estimation.
• Timing the Release: The release point determines the trajectory. It is a timing window of milliseconds. Early release = Up. Late release = Down/Back. Mastering this timing wheel is the core skill.
• Elasticity Management: The character is bouncy. Bouncing off a wall preserves kinetic energy. Players learn to chain bounces with swings to maintain flow.

🎮 Mechanics & Environment

The level design challenges your physics knowledge:

• The Hook Range: You can only hook surfaces within a certain radius. This limits your options and forces you to use intermediate anchor points to cross large gaps.
• Interactive Fruits: Collecting fruit is the goal. They are often placed in positions that require precise "stalls" (stopping mid-air) or complex multi-swing maneuvers to reach.
• Bouncy Surfaces: Some walls are trampolines. Combining a grapple-swing into a trampoline-bounce creates a massive velocity spike, useful for skipping sections.

🏆 Swinging Strategy

1. Shorten the Rope

In physics, a shorter pendulum swings faster (higher frequency). If you need to gain speed quickly, hook a point close to you. If you need to cover distance, hook a point far away.

2. The Floor Launch

You don't just swing from ceilings. You can hook the floor and pull yourself forward. This acts as a makeshift "run" on flat ground where gravity can't help you.

🛡️ Technical Specifications

Vibrant and responsive:

• Physics: Soft-body physics on the character gives a "jelly-like" feel, providing visual feedback on impact force.
• Input: Single-click control (Click to hook, Release to let go) makes it highly accessible.

❓ FAQ