Shifty's signature ability is 'shifting', which teleports him a few meters and lets him pass through thin walls or dodge bullets. He must either defeat all the enemies in a room to unlock the door to the next, or travel to its exit while avoiding all its hazards. Shifty advances through a linear series of rooms to reach the end of the stage, which is an elevator on all but the last stage. Shifty, who is attempting to steal a plutonium core from a building secured by many enemy guards. The player assumes the role of a thief, Mr. Shifty is experienced from a top-down perspective. Shifty is a 2.5D beat 'em up video game developed by Team Shifty and published by tinyBuild.