As part of the OTK Game Expo, Mad Mushroom has revealed Splodey, a die-and-retry game in the vein of Celeste and Super Meat Boy. Developed by Send It Studios, the twist here is that there is no jump button. Also, you can buy and play it right now for PC.
This sounds like a sidescrolling die-and-retry game based around Quake-like rocket jumping. As I mentioned, there’s no jump button, but you use potion-based explosives to destroy the environment around you and propel yourself through the air. In the trailer, it shows off the system of using a directional arrow to aim your potion and positioning it in a way that will send the protagonist in the direction you want. It’s hard to fully glean the feel from just video, but it seems like something that would get better with practice.
There isn’t much information provided about the plot, but Splodey features 100 stages split across four worlds. There’s also a 25-level bonus world and a further 16 secret levels. I suppose the secret is their location (found through exploration) and not the fact that they exist. Because I just told you.
There’s also a speedrun challenge for Splodey starting today and running until June 18th. It requires you to upload or stream footage of your feats using the tag #SplodeyChallenge.
I have to tell you; as much as the trailer makes Splodey look like a capable and well-executed take on the genre, I just don’t enjoy die-and-retry games. And that even goes for beloved titles like Celeste and VVVVVV. There are a few, such as Hotline Miami, that appeal to me despite their sub-genre, but for the most part, they don’t do much for me.
If it does something for you, maybe check it out. Splodey is available today for PC at the price of $12.99 ($9.75 after a launch-week discount.)
