A Trip Through the Caves of Spelunky
Spelunky is a platforming game, created by Derek Yu and released as PC freeware in 2009. But, there is also a brand new, shiny, XBLA version that was released on the 4th of July. While the XBLA version has new graphics and music, the core gameplay experience is the same between the two versions.
What it boils down to is this: you play an intrepid cave explorer, complete with fedora and whip, who has set off into some underground mines to gather treasure, rescue damsels, squish spiders, and just, in general, go spelunking. And although that may sound fairly easy, don’t let that fool you into thinking this game is going to be easy; the level layout is randomized each time you play, so that every level is unique, and you won’t be able to just remember your last run-through after you die.
And you will die.
Very, very often.
But that’s ok! The current best time to beat Spelunky (survive all the levels, kill the final boss), is 2:53. That’s two minutes, and fifty three seconds. So, your setbacks, although common, won’t actually set you back that far.
To aid you in your quest through the underground vistas you’ll be exploring, you have: some rope, and some bombs.
However, scattered throughout the levels are shops, where you can buy more rope or bombs, or a jetpack for flying, or a pickaxe for digging through the floors and walls, or even a teleporter to blink you over there instantaneously. The sheer variety of items is staggering, and there are even more in the XBLA version.
While some may find the touchy controls, steep difficulty curve, and other odd features too much, if you’re a fan of hardcore platformers like Super Meat Boy, Mighty Jill Off, or I Wanna Be The Guy, or even if you just like platform games in general, give Spelunky a try.
