I will be reviewing an indie game that I recently found, called Spelunky. I found it to be a neat little game. Be warned, don't play it unless you're planning on spending hours on it! This game can be played for free here. It has gone through two phases: original, and HD remake. The free version is the original 8-bit game, and the HD remake has flashy graphics and can be purchased on Steam for $14.99. I will be reviewing the free original version. (Because everyone loves free stuff!)
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| The title screen of the original version. |
Enough of this preface junk! On with the review! But first, I will go into a long and boring explanation as to how I review games. Basically, I have multiple categories that I will grade with letter ratings (ie. A+, C- etc.). See? That wasn't so long and boring? For real now, on with the review!!!
Gameplay
Spelunky has a very addictive approach to 2-D side-scrolling platformer games. It plays very similarly to a game about a certain mustached plumber. Now, it isn't just a knock-off Mario game, it has it's own elements of brilliance. This game is a randomly generated dungeon crawler game. You go level to level through caves and tunnels hunting for treasure, saving damsels in distress, and outsmarting traps. Every time you fail a level, you come back with new knowledge on how to outsmart a certain game mechanic. I would describe it as one of the most horribly amazing games ever. You can employ a variety of tactics to work your way around the caves, including bombs and ropes. The bombs (as you probably expected) blow things up. In this case, enemies, or walls into another passage. Ropes can be used to reach ledges and platforms that are otherwise unreachable. The game gives you a lot of slack in how you want to approach it. Do you want to go through the level snatching every piece of treasure in sight? Do you want to get through as quick as possible? Do you go through Chuck Norris style and blow everything up? It's up to you. The game also has many items you can purchase from shops. These items range from jet packs to shotguns. You have total freedom.
With the good points, come the bad points. You will most likely find yourself becoming quickly frustrated at the frequent deaths. You'll be one step away from getting to the exit, only to be shot down by a dart trap you didn't see before. You'll look down a pit, thinking it's safe, only to be impaled by a row of deadly spikes. The main downside is how there is no save feature (at least I haven't found one). You'll get quite a ways into the game, only to face an untimely demise.
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| A prime example of the play style. |
Overall, the gameplay utilizes many different strategies to make you want to come back for more! I give the gameplay an A-.
Story
The game itself (at least the classic version) doesn't have much of a story. When you launch the game, a few lines of randomly generated back-story appear, such as, "I put the faded photo back in my pocket, as I drained the last of my canteen, and thought of her one last time." I have yet to beat the game, but so far that appears to be the only story. This is an issue that maybe has been resolved in the remake, but as for this, no such luck. I give the story a D-.
Graphics
This section has a bit of leeway. Keep in mind I'm reviewing the classic 8-bit version. This game was remade with new textures and HD graphics. For the sake of consistency, I'll be reviewing the free version.
You can probably tell from pictures and the fact that I've already told you, this is an 8-bit game. If you can stomach 8-bit games, then this is your cup of tea. If you wretch at the sight of them, you will most likely not enjoy the graphics. Despite the primitive visuals, Spelunky is a very impressive 8-bit game. It has very fluid movements and physics. You can easily tell what most objects are in the game. So you won't find yourself straining your eyes to see if you're about to step on a trap, or treasure. My only quarrel with the graphics is that the background seems to have some motion error at points. But this can be easily overlooked.
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| Spelunky original, and HD remake graphics comparison. |
Music
As you can imagine, with an 8-bit game comes 8-bit-esque music. The music mainly plays in the background, and can be easily overlooked by someone who isn't listening. Overall, I think the music is mediocre, but still fitting to the game. It has an air of mystery and discovery. The music picks up as the game becomes more tense.
Overall, the music may leave a little bit to be desired, but I think it's pretty fitting for the game. I give the music a C+.
Controls
Normally, I wouldn't include an entire section for controls of a game, but for this I had to. When you first start the game, you'll find the controls to be clunky and hard to remember. After playing a few times through, you'll gradually get the feel for them. I still accidentally crack my whip instead of jumping sometimes, and I've logged a few hours into the game. So newbies be warned, the controls have a steep learning curve. I give the controls a D.
Easter Eggs
Just like controls, I wouldn't normally include a selection for Easter Eggs, but there are so many in this game, you can't just ignore them in a review! Throughout the levels you'll find a satirical idol that resembles the one in Raiders of the Lost Ark. At the beginning of a level, your character will mumble how he hates snakes. This game is chock full of em'. When you find a shop, the (old man) shop owner sits feebly in a corner watching as you look at his goods. If you try to steal from the shop, he'll spring at you and chase you with his shotgun! If you throw a bomb into the shop, he'll blow you away while exclaiming, "Terrorist!"
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| One of the many shops you may find throughout the game. |
Other Easter Eggs include the damsels in distress. Throughout the levels you may find a lady standing in a dangerous situation while yelling for help. You can either help her, (and in turn get a kiss at the end of the level gaining health) or you can simply use her as a human shield against the many different dangers of the caves. :P
I give the Easter Eggs an A++.
Overall
I think that Spelunky is a treasure (pun intended) in 8-bit platforming that only comes around every so often. It will sink its teeth into you and will continue to do so until you finally conquer the game (which I have yet to do). What it lacks in story and graphics, it makes up for in its various references, Easter Eggs, and gameplay. You'll want to continue to delve deep into the Earth to experiment with new things, and try your hand at wielding a whip. Overall, I give Spelunky an A-. You should really check out the original if you haven't already. I hope this review was helpful, and leave a comment letting me know what you think!
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