spelunky review game

Available for free on PC since 2008, the excellent Spelunky finally arrives on PS Vita in a version largely revised for the occasion. Hopefully this will be enough to justify the € 15 requested.

Whether it is this PS Vita version or the original on PC, Spelunky is greatly inspired by a certain Spelunker, platform game released in 1983. Thus, we will first notice an old aspect - very pronounced school highlighted by an extreme difficulty, but especially by graphics which should certainly enchant fans of oldies. Indeed, if the PC version had pleased us, we must admit that this remake simply amazed us. The decorations are colorful and varied, the characters endearing and the whole particularly successful. Then know that the purpose of these two titles is almost identical: explore and find the exit of steep cellars filled with treasures. However, there will be slight differences, starting with some nice references. Spelunky thus largely pays tribute to Indiana Jones, the hero being for example frightened by snakes while being decked out in a characteristic hat. It also has a whip that will help you defeat the many enemies who will block your path.

The least we can say is that this weapon will be of great use to you. Indeed, and despite a simplistic gameplay where your tasks will mainly be to run, jump and hit, Spelunky will reserve a big challenge for you. The different levels available to you are thus crammed with formidable creatures ranging from a toad to a bat through skeletons and ghosts. In addition, many traps (sharp peaks, killer statues, etc.) will seriously complicate your task knowing that contact with an enemy will deprive you of one, or even two, of your four hearts of life when the peaks will kill you instantly. In the end, the title applies the principle of Die and Retry without any backup being possible (it is however possible to unlock access to a given world). You will start over and over again at the beginning, but don't worry, no weariness can settle in since the levels are generated randomly on each attempt. You will thus systematically be entitled to an original experience but this will further complicate the game since you will in no case be able to learn from your failures.

To help you in your task, you will have at first two objects: bombs and ropes. The first will allow you to access inaccessible treasures or mine in order to recover gold and precious stones when the second will have to be used to extricate oneself from crevasses or to reach objects in height. As your adventure progresses, you can find or buy new items. These are extremely varied and will give you various bonuses. We can for example quote the pickaxe which will allow you to dig, the pistol or the rifle, the boomerang, climbing gloves, a jetpack, shoes with spring to jump higher or even a compass which will indicate the direction of the exit. Some chests contain more interesting items but must be opened using a key well hidden in the table. This could for example be a magic eye capable of revealing the location of certain objects and even hidden doors. We are not going to tell you too much, however, since Spelunky's interest lies in finding these little subtleties.

Your mission will not stop there, however. Thus, some cellars contain young ladies in distress who, once rescued (you can also choose to sacrifice them), will give you an extra heart of life. This will require transporting them to the end of the current level knowing that great caution will be required since you will in this case be unable to use your weapon. In addition, a shock with an enemy, an imbalance or a fall could cause the premature death of your protege. In addition, other objects will have to be transported in this way, including the gold statuettes. These will boost your score considerably but present a no less significant risk. Indeed, obtaining these treasures will release a gigantic stone which will crush everything in its path (note the new wink to Indiana Jones). You will therefore have to think carefully before taking hold of these statuettes and provide a high place where you can shelter. You will therefore understand, your tasks and possibilities will be much more numerous than it seems at first glance and the game is ultimately of unsuspected depth.

If on PC, Spelunky had seemed a bit stingy in content, we must admit that this remake has been significantly expanded. Many additional levels and worlds have appeared, including what includes enemies, challenges and new secrets. Cooperation and deathmatch (with or without bots) have also been implemented and the result is extremely pleasant with friends. Add to that online leaderboards as well as hundreds of failed attempts and you have plenty of hours to spend there. Obviously, the less tenacious can get bored quickly, and be frustrated by some almost inevitable deaths, but the others will find there a real gem. The developers have thus erased almost all the faults of the basic title and have implemented new innovations. In the end, even for 15 €, we are very far from the scam and this Spelunky presents itself as a real must-have for lovers of old-school titles.

The notes
Graphics 16/20
While retaining its old-school appearance, this remake displays graphics that are much more pleasing to the eye than its predecessor. The whole is thus very colorful, rather detailed and very endearing.

Gameplay 17/20
Spelunky offers very simple to use gameplay where your main missions will be to jump, run and hit your enemies. However, the experience will turn out to be much deeper than it seems at first glance, in particular thanks to the presence of many objects which will have to be used conscientiously. Everyone can then grasp the game in their own way and choose to earn as much money as possible, and therefore to heal their score or to offer themselves simply enjoyable items.

Lifespan 16/20
This PS Vita version is clearly more complete than its PC counterpart, in particular thanks to the addition of many levels, very successful multi modes and online leaderboards. Add to that a Die and Retry side and randomly generated levels and in the end, Spelunky offers a fairly substantial lifespan.

Soundtrack 14/20
The diversity is not frankly at the rendezvous, but the sound environment of the game remains pleasant and rather sympathetic.

Scenario/
For its passage on PS Vita, Spelunky offers a multitude of new innovations and improvements of all kinds. The content has also been significantly expanded and in the end, the 15 € requested seem amply justified. The result is thus quite simply enjoyable, in particular thanks to a much deeper gameplay than it seems. Let's just hope that the extreme difficulty will not put off the less tenacious of you. Note that this game is available in cross-buy: you buy it on PS3, you unlock it on PS Vita, and vice-versa.

Games apps reviews