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The original Shift was an interesting platform game that used negative space as an entertaining hook, but it came with a few problems that ultimately made it feel unfinished and experimental. Now, Tony of Armor Games has released Shift 2, which is basically the game the first one should have been. It's not enough of a leap forward to warrant the "2" in its name, really, but it refines and expands upon the original concepts to deliver a smoother, more drinkable dose of run/jump/puzzle distraction.
Once again, you take control of a hapless research subject in a monochromatic laboratory filled with spikes and blocky architecture. Move left and right with the arrow keys, jump with [space], and shift between the worlds of black and white with—well, I won't spoil that for you. That's your first puzzle. Shifting flips your hero through the floor beneath her feet, reverses her color, and turns the entire world over. Solid black blocks become empty space, mountains become valleys, pits become towering walls. Your goal in most levels is to untangle the M.C. Escher-esque landscape into a coherent pathway and escape through the inconveniently-placed door.
This time around, you'll have to contend with a few new collectible objects. The keys that rotate large platforms are back, but now you'll encounter lightbulb icons that make otherwise impassable checkerboard bricks disappear from your path. The most impressive new feature is the arrows that alter the direction of gravity, upside-down and 90 degrees. These mean that many levels are actually eight different mazes, if you count both black and white in each of the different cardinal directions. It can get quite complicated, although there are so few levels, it never feels like Shift 2 really explores all the possibilities. But the level design is much more intricate this time around, so even though Shift 2 is a short journey, it works quite a few of your brain muscles during the trip.
The sting of brevity is made much softer by the brilliant inclusion of a fully-operational level editor. You can cobble together any sadistic, trap-filled conglomeration you like, copy the code for your creation in text form, and trade it with your friends—that is to say, us. Unlike the original, Shift 2 operates on a grid-based tile system, so levels are both easy to assemble and reliable.
Moreover, Tony has rounded out the game with achievement medals and the usual sprinkling of elbow-to-the-ribs humor. It's comforting to have the voice of a cruel mastermind accompany you while you play. It makes what would otherwise be a clever but dry adventure ring with personality. Strangely, the cosmopolitan background music of the first game has been dropped in favor of generic ambient techno, but even the author acknowledges that the new score might be annoying enough to turn off. Play your own jazz, I guess.
The glitches that plagued Shift 1 have been mostly ironed out, so all that's left is high-quality platforming fun with hopefully a wave of diabolical levels to come, once fans break open the level editor. Here's hoping another sequel comes along before too long to really shake things up. One can imagine moving platforms, enemies, tubes that work as crawl-spaces in one realm and as climbable poles in the other, all sorts of things. This is a great foundation to build upon. Play Shift 2.
Shift 2 walkthrough now available!
Comments (may contain spoilers)
I've been lurking on jayisgames for quite a while (thanks for introducing me to the Grow games amongst many other favorites), but this is my first post. This was a really fun game and one of the first I was able to complete without any spoilers or help along the way.
For anyone struggling along, just keep on trying and you'll get it figured out soon.
Dang, when I saw the title, I thought what's-his-name from WhiteKiwi had made the rest of the other Shift, the one in the garden...
Ah well, this one is fun too.
Complete walkthrough




























The cc is the biggest lie that I have ever heard of.
unfortunately to everyone who is asking, the first rule about the cc is a lie is you do not talk about the cc is a lie.
In all seriousness though, once you find out the cc is a lie, your asked not to reveal what it refers to, and that's all I have to say about that, although I am actually surprised no one has revealed it. I guess that what the developer gets for asking nicely.

To load any of the levels posted here:
- Click the spoiler to reveal the long line of characters.
- NOTE: the line is longer than will display on the page, but rest assured they are all there.
- Position your mouse on the left edge of the line, click and DRAG DOWN TO SELECT THE ENTIRE LINE.
- Copy the text to the clipboard in the usual way you're used to doing for your OS/browser.
- In the game, click "Extras->Shift-Ed->Load Level Code, then Right-click and Paste the text into the text input field. Make sure there is no blank line at the top.
- Click "Load Code" and then "View code and preview level" and then "Preview level"
- Voilà!
- (whew!—isn't there a simpler way?!)
Wow. I mean, just WOW. I've been seeing all these comments about how the cc is a lie, and you just don't realize what their talking about. And then you realize you have to think outside the box, give the lie to the lie, and you GET IT: the cc is quite possibly the most incredible lie ever.
BTW, jay, I got type key before you brought out the casual login, so I signed up with the name 'Mtheminja' (because I couldn't use 'mtheminja'), but I can't remember the password, the 'forgot your password' thing isn't helping, and I don't want to use a different name. Could I email you or something to get the password fixed? I know which email I signed up with, so I can prove it's mine.
[Edit: Yes, of course. Until I can get the 'forgot your password' thing working better than it is now, I'll take care of any password resets manually. Just send me an email! -Jay]
Heh heh, that was a lot of fun, just as good as Shift 1!
Hey, that rhymed, whaddya know? Now go play Shift, and don't be slow!
Ok, I have got to stop talking like that and be done...but then again, it is rather fun!
In short, the game is great, give it a try!
Oh by the way...
THE CC IS A LIE.
The cc is a lie
So now I know what the whole cc business refers to, and I realize why nobody would tell me. I played through the game four times to find out. I feel like I should be upset, but the game is fun enough and short enough that I'm okay with it. It helps that is has a great sense of humor (though I actually am a little upset with the Portal 2 tease).
they were right.
the CC is a lie. lol
never would have guessed.
I agree with Neddo, I suppose I should be upset about the lie, but I'm not. I actually chuckled when I found out.
In case anyone wants to lengthen their Shift 2 experience here's a really hard level (even though I can solve it, I still often die on it myself):

For a slightly easier one, here's a copy of an earlier post of mine:

hahaha, this ones cruel. took me about 3 hours to create and perfect. can you finish it?

ok...the CC is a lie.
....what? im sorry, seriously, but ive played this game quite a few times and i still dont know what this means. im really confused...i dont even know what CC means to begin with, nevertheless why its a frickin LIE.
can someone at least give me a hint?! i will love you forever.
Emma:

Julian2: nice level, got me stuck a few times when I grabbed a key I shouldn't have taken. Also a good re-use of some of the space.
Yay, I can log in again. Thanks, Jay!
and i was thinking CC was a camcorder! well, that would also be true.
made another one, whipped it up in half an hour. sorry if its not much of a challenge, i made while being sick and tired >_<

Arrgh, Crouch, on your really hard level,

You were right, the cc is a lie. If only I had believed you all in the frst place I wouldn't be in the situation I am today. I am so disappointed, mainly with myself though.
mtheminja: it's a bit hard to give a hint, but I just made a quick video with the solution. So if you only want a hint, just look at the first few seconds of the video.
Julian2, are you sure it can be solved? I can get to the exit, but since it's on a black background, I end up upside down and am not able to finish.
Crouch: your hard level is the best so far (better than any of the levels in the actual game). Great use of all the features.
I don't think Julian2's can be solved either.
i forgot to check it, i dont know if it works. sorry
i see what i did wrong, i put the door in upside down!
heres the fixed code

[Edit: I've copied this code to your previous comment, too, just so no one gets a dead end by trying it. -Jay]
Mmh... I'm not terribly fond of this game's "cruel" sense of humor, but the gameplay itself isn't half bad. Shift! Shift! And shift again!
...I don't know what "CC" is either.
gar:
touche. touche.
still. sucks for me, i spose.
It's kind of hilarious how when you hit spikes, your 'corpse' can trigger locks and bulbs, hehe.
Crouch,

You should mail that to armour games, after all, they said they might make a user level pack... and it's SO clever!
I hope you enjoy this one...let me know if you found it too hard, too easy, or just right ;)

How to make this under 5 minutes = 300 seconds?????
Julian's first level worked fine. Really. I solved it eventually.
You know, the the cake is not a lie, so the cc probibly isn't either.
THE CC IS A LIE! I am /so/ sorry for saying that, people that haven't figured it out yet.
Hint that won't make any sense now, but after you figure it out it will:



Many people are having trouble with the trophies so here we go:
Beat the game

Joke's on me

Title trasher

Speed Runner

Appreciation and Support the developers

Teh trophy! (MAJOR SPOILER!!)


Also, the CC is a lie!
Rofl! xD
The cc is a lie!
Obviously, this is crazy... xD
The “5 minutes” for the Speed Runner trophy actually seems to be 500 seconds. Knowing that should make it less frustrating if you’re trying to get it down from 600.
Good luck getting all the medals and unlocking the guy from Shift 1.
i clicked the frowny face and i made the mouse go crazy but then what do i do?i already clicked settings but then what?
by the way the cc is a lie!!!
i still don't know what it means but everybody says it
the game is sweet too bad about thecc being a lie hope another one is coming out
Saviour-V teleports in...
Rats, I've been had. The

Saviour-V narrowly avoids a few chaingun bullets aimed at him....
A-hem, I mean, the cc is a lie.
Can't even speak Japanese without the game knowing. Must be the game's internal ESP.
Saviour-V teleports out hurriedly...
Just finished the game.
The cc is a lie!!!
THE CC IS A LIE!!!!!!!!!!
I made my Own map, and it's my first one too. Despite that, It's sort of fun and easy.


Tell me what you think.
All that time spent only to find out that the cc was a lie...
Button, Button, whos got the button?

Anyone wanna try my first map?

(It's solvable, I tried =))
TomL: Thanks for the kind words.
mtheminja: I'll think about submitting it to armorgames, but I'm a bit hesitant. When you think about all the lies in the game, I wouldn't be surprised if the level-pack was another one. By the way, I'm glad you enjoyed my level.
reshirt_year: Nice level, took me some time to figure out what keys to pick up. About difficulty: for me they can't be hard enough, I like difficult levels on this game.
Learner: It's indeed easy, but the spiral at the end is funny.
sadsad: That's quite a bright room with all those lights ;)
Test: I tried it and I could indeed solve it. Don't really know if I solved it in the way you expected, because there's quite a big part of the level I didn't visit.
For anyone who's still sane after my last level, here's another one (I call it: "Order is key"):

I tested it and I guarantee it can be solved, but the order in which you do things is important.
The CC is a lie!

the cc is a lie
My leve, for testing reflexes. hard, no shifts tho. easy? dont try it! timeyourselves...


and no, ther are no "stuck" loops. only one way. youwill die, one way or anothr.
THE CC IS A LIE!!!
Oh my god. >=O The CC IS a lie, but it really makes sense cause of the ending to the first one but still, all that wasted effort, I love the SHift games but they annoy the heck out of me. ;_;
hey in title thrasher

Like the "test reflx level? it's hard isnt it? and sadsa, ther's a ...glitch in your leve. i can complete it only using about half your map
easy way to get the 3 medals in the game

yup the CC is a lie, i was sad that i couldn't find out how to get the trophy by myself. it was like "duh" and then blarg.
most of the home made lvls are good, just make sure that they can't be beat just by going to the next check point. loops are the best, but make sure to kill us ok. lol.
the cc is a lie...
the cc is a lie...
the cc is a lie...
the cc is a lie...
You'll figure it out if you beat the game..
An eaisier way to get Speed Runner:

Heres 2 levels I made, Try em out, And yea, They both work.
I'm fallingg......

OMG! WHATS THE RIGHT KEY!?

HAHA!!! wanna another level? it' the upgraded version of the test-reflex level. i gave it to my friends. they al said "I hate you, Will".


be ready to be screwed! the all new, ultimate version of THINK FAST.
and, yes, you are soon to be screwed.
Guys, sry for double posting...
whippped up this level in about 1 hour...




The Full Trpohy Guide...All at once, so decide caefully before hand

Title Trasher:
at th main menu, there's a diagonal line at the top-rite and left corners. the top-left one has a frowny face. click it. move your mouse BACKWARDS FROM WHERE YOU ARE AIMIN TO GO, and click "settings". then click ay random button. Try and reach the "settings" key at the top (kind of like King Tantalius and the fruit tree...). kep clicking for a wile, thn click it for 40 times after it finally allows you to. when u get to 31, it'll fuly fade. ow, click any random button about 10 times, and then click the frowny face again (when directed), o earn the trophy.
Appreiation: (easy-medal)
at he main menu, click "Credits".
Support the Developers: (easy-medal)
at the main menu, click "More Games"
Beat the Game:
either take the normal snake-pit ending, or the special trophy ending. Either way, you'll get this medal, although it wont announce it if you got it beating the game "secal trophy" way.
Speed Runner:
contray to common belefs, you dont have to do this under 5 minutes (300 seconds). you have to do it under 500 second, which is roughly 8 minutes. (whoever herd of a metric minute?)
Teh Trophy:
take the special trophy "hidden" way. at the stge after the hidden passage way, he trophy is there, all for u.
Joke's on me:
beat the croses level, which says "if you dont beat this level under 75 (-1/second) seconds, you will be automatically taken back to the title screen"
So, you can get all trophys with one run:
at th main menu, click both easy-medal [suprt the developers+appreciation](1+2) links.then gt tortured with the frowny face [title trasher](3). quickly complete as many levels as posible, including the crosses level [joke's on me] (4), then when you reach the final room, get thesecret passageway. Snatch the trophy (5) [teh trophy]at the next room, and continue to beat the game [beat the game](6) with the altrnate exit as fast as possible [speed runer] (7)
for tose of u more interested in keeeping normal integrity, a common message:
please comment on my leel. wuld be appreciated...
//Will
Crouch: Hey, thank you for trying my level and commenting. I played your level, and I have to say I enjoyed the insane acrobatic maneuvers. Nice rotating doors hehe.
Yup, the CC is a lie
Just found out a while ago. Got all medals and...Well, I won't ruin it. That was hilarious when I found out. I would never have guessed.
Keep up the great work, and make a Shift 3, Tony!!
Those are some great levels, Will. I don't really like the upgraded level though. I liked it better the way it was before you upgraded it, but I won't say "I hate you".The "Watch Where You Jump!" would make a good way to get peoples' momement skills to a decent level.The only thing I'm missing a bit is the shifting, the game is called shift after all. How about a nice level with that next?
redshirt_year: thanks for the nice words.
Crouch: yea, thx. the next level is a "bonus level". shifting ahoy
also an insanely hard level that makes u throw up...wbut i will post that later.
and the upgraed issolvable, but not easy.(duh). the upgraded was actually for my friend, since he wanted the challenge.






once agai, please comment :P
I was getting really mad at this "the cc is a lie" thing, trying to understand it, almost feeling dumb, but now I know!! And I have to say it too
THE CC IS A LIE!!!
okkk..it's kinda easy when ur reading this spoilerz...
Guys, by the way, the CC is a lie! If you couldn't find the comment before posted revealing the cc thing, well here it is. But you don't have to look. it will spoil your fun. But I will still not tell what the whole thing is! you will still have to a little work.




hope they helped
Guys! leave and make easier levels. please. i am only a begennier and i can't solve most of the levels posted!
To those who are actually reading the comments and having fun, post some of your own! I want to see some more.
I also have a question for someone to answer. In the real game, they have text guiding you. As you get farther, some text reads ITS TELLING THE TRUTH! Does anyone know what the heck that means? In shift 1, there is also text in the same writing that reads THE TIMER IS A LIE! I think I might already know, but I just guessed. Does anyone know for sure?
Will: Once you get the hang of it, "Frustrated" isn't actually that hard. The thing that got me frustrated though was some slight lag I had when taking key4, with a rather unfortunate death scene as a consequence. I did get revenge though :D (some rounds later).
You mentioned that you need to glitch through some spikes for your level, which inspired me to create the following level, for which you need to glitch in order to finish:




Matt: You're right, we've been designing some slightly insane levels. So here is an easier one for you:


Here is a level that I made

THE CC IS A LIE!
cc is a lie.
try this one

Try out this GLITCHED level that i made!






Stop posting Glitched Levels!!!!
That level you made, nobody, is so cool! Post some more! don't listen to the guy that said to stop posting Glitched levels.
By the way, how did you set the locks to zero?
This was such a great game when i finallly found out what the cc is a lie meant i was just like wow!
i cant believe i tried so hard to complete the game under 5mins and then it was for that i was like oh okay
Great Game im looking forword to a third one if there ever is one
I have absolutly NO clue as to how i got the locks to be set at zero.


Hey here are twoof my levels! They aren't easy, but they aren't hard. Yes, they are definetly solveble.




please comment on them.
Beat this and yes it is possible

Guys, I posted the wrong level before. I had made a new and better version of the level FLIPPIN. Plus, the first version was unsolveble. Anyway, here is the new and better version:


Here's a few that I've made:
Level 1:

Level2:

Level 3:

I guess they play on the idea that first impressions, assumptions and instinct are often wrong and punishable, in the form of spikes and inescapable rooms.
Quite cruel really.
As for others:
Matt - I was able to solve your first version, although your second was still good.
The level posted by 'me' made me laugh very much.
Levels constructed on the idea of reflexes and speed rather than creative, ingenious thinking don't deserve posting.
The best levels, overall, are the unique ones that present new challenges instead of recycling other's creative work.
Overall, Shift 2 was a great game, and the level editor made it even more fantastic.
Have fun with my attempts, and keep churning out yours.
And of course, the CC is a lie.
I have two things to say. First of all, How did you solve my first version? Next, Level 3 is unsolveble.
By the way, those are crued glitches. But level 1 and 2 are really creative and cool. I now realize that i need to add not just the things to get to the door, but traps and obstacles on the way. Another thing I realized was how bad I really am at making levels and how easy my levels are. I guess all i have to do is keep trying!
Matt,
To solve yours:

To solve Level 3:










Walkthrough Guide
Complete walkthrough
The cc is the biggest lie that I have ever heard of.
Posted by: newbie | March 11, 2008 12:00 AM