Spelunky is a game that requires a lot of deaths to learn how to play it. All you really need to progress is just find the exit, which isn't hidden. Many times it can be done in under 30 seconds. However, there is a lot that can go wrong, and luck is needed a bit more than it probably should be. You can choose from a variety of characters of various design and color, but sadly not extra backstory.


Graphics: This is the enhanced version of a (originally) PC game. Comparing the new graphics to the old is like looking at different generations of consoles. That being said, they are not going to wow anyone. There is charm and whimsy in the cartoony character and monster design. The lighting effects are also well used when in darkened stages. A bit too basic, the snakes in particular look flat and rather boring, but it does look fairly cute.
6 out of 10.

Sound: The music is fine, and each of the worlds in game have a few tracks to play. Nothing amazing. The best part of the sound is how you can find yourself relying on it to help you.  The rush of running water, a distant cry for help, even the flutter of bat wings offscreen, all are useful to tell you whats going on around you when your senses or way might be impeded.  This game tries very hard to kill you, I found the auditory clues more vital than in most games.
7 out of 10.

Addictiveness: Despite being a challenging game, its very easy to jump right back in once your out of life. The simple interface to get you right back in the action as fast as possible makes dealing with the dozens/hundreds of deaths you will get to learn the game more bearable. There are many random elements that can undermine, or reward you, making each game feel fresh. Once one has a grasp on how to play the game well, there are multiple hidden areas and challenges one can undertake.
8 out of 10, the hidden items and levels are fun easter eggs.


Story: The game suffers from a quite generic quest. You area  cave explorer, explore all the cave and get $$$$. It doesn't explain all the trapped damsels you find, or why it mixes Incan and Egyptian themes when they were an ocean apart from each other. its just there for fun, like the freewheeling Yeti's you'll find in the game. That being said, I had hoped for a little more to the game's story, since you are given a LOT of player models to choose from. Some are clearly explorers, and others are not.  There are two seperate endings, so there is some hope.
3 out of 10.


Depth: While the stages are short (and the game is not that long either), they are generated randomly each time, making exploring always new.  After a series of stages, you will be taken to a new 'world', the mines lead to the jungles, for instance. Once in a new setting, there will be traps and enemies unique to that, requiring you to relean your surroundings and foes.  There is a moderate assortment of items and weapons to use. In what might be the best combination, the shotgun and jetpack will take you quite far (if you can find them).  Some weapons have a risk/reward setup, so just because the rarest gun is the alien piece, doesn't make it the best.
7 out of 10. While the variety of stage layous and random gear is good, reuse of some of the traps later (the most dangerous ones of course) hurts this a bit, but every world has new enemies.

Difficulty: This is a tough game with a steep learning curve. How to handle fall distance; running out of bombs or ropes (or both), the ghost (you'll see), what to do when shops don't appear for you (random), how to tackle tricky situations that can kill you if you get it wrong, this game demands a lot of patience and practice.  And the icing on the cake, you only get one life. You die, you start all the way back. Luck is also very much an issue, as it dictates what prizes you can get, shop wares (and if a shop is even present), or if the stage is going to be easy or a nightmare (Temple darkness stage, yikes). To ease the pain, there is a way to have shortcuts to each of the different worlds, but those are not easy to get. And if you do use them, its almost guaranteed to lock you out of one of the endings.  You can play this with up to 3 more pals, local multiplayer (no online), and it is a easier as you can revive each other (but not share items).
8 out of 10.

Spelunky is good for those wanting a retro-look platformer that pushes you to outthink and outmove the multitude of challenges the caverns have for your player. Beating this game does feel like an achievement. as its you vs. the unpredictable RNG and the game. Remember, its trying its best to make you lose.

By reading your review, it almost evoked Diablo for some reason. Is the comparison correct?

Anyway, that was a good review. You gave plenty of information to show that the game is not the game of the year. I might just try it out of curiosity but my expectations will be low.

janus : no, its quite different from diablo. its like a side-view mario game if it wanted to kill you with bad luck every 10 minutes.