Mini Review: Spelunky: an indie icon and a rogueous royalty, finally in switch

These days, it seems that all other independent games launched are a version of the genus Roguelite, but it was not always like that. In a moment, it was even considered a relatively new version of the game design, and one of the games that opened the way in this regard was Spelunky. After receiving an initial release in 2008 for PC, the version that we now have on Switch was first seen at Xbox Live Arcade in 2012 and marked the beginning of a new era of game design and successful stories of independent studies at the process. Now, almost a decade later, is it so good? Yes, enough.

The Spelunky premise is simple: You are an adventurer in the Indiana Jones / Rick O'Connell vein that is exploring an ancient ruin that has a touch of magic. This magic can apparently resurrect your explorer every time he dies to any of the innumerable traps and creatures that await him inside, while the design and structure of the ruins change completely every time he returns to deepen more.

For the player, this means that the main task of him will be improved in learning and the application of the rules of the game, instead of memorizing designs or strict patterns. Spelunky is divided into four main 'worlds (although there are quite an additional levels to discover) and each of them is based on certain scenario tricks, types of enemies and traps. There are many things here that can kill you completely, and the constantly changed level designs ensure that you keep alert, which makes survival more a matter of reflections and knowledge, instead of a learned level muscle memory.

Each level is cleared simply by finding the exit that takes you to the next floor, but running through is usually not the best strategy. There are a lot of treasures for finding and spending on items and enhancers in stores later, in addition, each level has a 'damsel' so you can keep, you can return a beautiful point of health if you can escort it successfully until the end. Then, there is a lot of potential at each level, but you see you forced to prioritize things because of the threat that a ghost appears after having been at a level for more than a couple of minutes. It crosses the walls and never disappears: an extremely mortal Boo. If he touches you, you die instantly. Chilling.

Part of the charm of Spelunk is finding how much depth (Eyyy!) There is what initially seems to be a very simple action platform game. Many levels, characters and hidden elements have quite esoteric unlocking conditions, which means that you are almost constantly learning something new about how everything fits. More importantly, there are many 'soft rules' with which you stumble while you play and make it progress a bit easier. For example, it is a change of game when you learn that you can use the aforementioned Damisela as a meat shield to block arrows for you and activate traps, although you usually do it at the expense of poor girl's life.

If yours is the multiplayer mode, there are also cooperative modes and fighting to death to explore. Cooperative mode allows you to play with up to three more friends, and although it is good to have some 'help' to overcome the challenges, it is much more likely than accidentally (or not ...) exploited each other. There is also a small mode of fighting to death, if you just want to leave aside the pretensions of working together and see who is the best player.

Spelunky is still quite simple with his presentation, although this strictly removes the enjoyment of one. The sprites of the characters are well drawn and are legible, while environment designs do enough to transmit the feeling of being lost in an ancient and cavernous labyrinth. Its visual design will not surprise you, nor your soundtrack mostly discreet and atmospheric. Music feels a little too cold given high-risk gameplay; On the other hand, something more appropriately frantic could have been too stressful.

Almost a decade later, Spelunky still has all the basics instead and remains a great entrance in the genre Roguelike. A solid game, many secrets and an addictive game loop make it an easy-to-recommend game, although we would say you must enter this preparation to die a lot before you really understand. Whatever its tolerance to the difficulty, Spelunky demonstrates being a good option for switch; It is certainly worth dedicating your time if you have never tried it before.