Spelunky

Dirty_Harry_PotterDirty_Harry_Potter Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9500Members
edited July 2009 in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Calling Dr. Chibi Jones</div>So yeah... Derek Yu (one of the people behind Aquaria) has made a small freeware game: Spelunky.
Download: <a href="http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=4017.0" target="_blank">Here</a>

You play a small spelunker/archelogist very similar to Indiana Jones (also, quite a few references to Indiana Jones, for instance gold idols with stone traps that activate when you pick up the idol). The caves are full out treasure, monsters, traps, and for some strange reason damsels in distress and shops to serve your spelunking needs!

<img src="http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8282/spelunkyscreen.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

As indicated by pictar... it's somewhat oldschool. It also has a quite charming tune as its background music, and expect to get to learn the game through trial and error. Okay, it does have a small tutorial to teach you the basics. However, this does not teach you some of the more advanced things.... things that went wrong with my brave adventurer.... (Que storytime)...

First spectacular death: I go into a shop. I pick up and item and play around with it (you buy items by them up, then pressing space, before pressing space you can use it inside the shop).. Well, I picked up a machete, and I swing it around like a madman... until I accidently hit the storekeeper... he takes out a shotgun.. and shoots me in the face. I die.

Second spectacular death: I pick up a dart that a trap left behind. I decide to fling it at a bat, however, I hit a block just above the bat... the dart bounces off the wall and hits me in the face. I die.

Third spectacular death: I go into another shop. This is a clothings shop - no dangers here you think? Lies. I end up (accidently) flinging some sunglasses into the storekeepers face.. I notice blood drops.. OH SHI-! I instinctly run out the shop as I see this. I get shot in the back as the storekeeper chases me out his store.

SHOPS ARE ###### DANGEROUS.

Comments

  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    I remember trying this a few weeks ago. Do you have to start over from the first level every single time you die, or are there checkpoints along the way somewhere?
  • Dirty_Harry_PotterDirty_Harry_Potter Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9500Members
    From what I've seen so far, you have to start all over. But erh.. this isn't that much of a problem concerning the inital learning curve (at least I died a lot on level1 or 2).. farthest I've gotten is lvl4. It just makes the Damsels that more important! (Kisses heal you)
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    shotgunning the store keeper works rather well....
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited August 2009
    There are checkpoints (tunnels from starting screen), unlike NetHack, but you have to reach them multiple times to afford to open them up. Plus you don't keep your gold or other stuff when you use the checkpoint, just progress through the cave. This makes it rather easier to beat the game, but you won't get an impressive score.
  • Dirty_Harry_PotterDirty_Harry_Potter Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9500Members
    Yeah, I just got the tunnel to lvl5, kinda nice - though, this new area is all the more lethal :O
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    edited August 2009
    heh, killing a shop keeper turns you into KoS to them :D

    That is all of them.

    Side note:

    Finally managed to sacrifice a damsel:
    So not worth the effort (got sticky bombs out of it)
  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    I want to like it... but I've now died 50 times and only once gotten to the green level, which I think it said level 5, but I got no new door. The randomness doesn't help when there are so many different things to learn. I still don't know why or when the ghost shows up, or what you can do about it. One time I ran into <a href="http://files.getdropbox.com/u/98931/pics/what.png" target="_blank">this...</a> sorry lady, but I can't help you.

    p.s. is it bad that I use the lady like a weapon? >_>
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    edited August 2009
    In Hellgate London I once ran into <a href="http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6637/randomftwyc9.jpg" target="_blank">this</a> entertaining section of tunnel.
  • Dirty_Harry_PotterDirty_Harry_Potter Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9500Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1720313:date=Aug 1 2009, 08:30 PM:name=A_Boojum_Snark)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (A_Boojum_Snark @ Aug 1 2009, 08:30 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1720313"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I want to like it... but I've now died 50 times and only once gotten to the green level, which I think it said level 5, but I got no new door. The randomness doesn't help when there are so many different things to learn. I still don't know why or when the ghost shows up, or what you can do about it. One time I ran into <a href="http://files.getdropbox.com/u/98931/pics/what.png" target="_blank">this...</a> sorry lady, but I can't help you.

    p.s. is it bad that I use the lady like a weapon? >_><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Well, about shortcuts to level5 - you need to pay a tunnelmaker (which you'll stumble upon as you finish level 4, though I'm not quite sure what makes him appear.. it might be that you need a certain amount of gold... which isn't much of an issue since you need to pay him a lot of gold to make a tunnel anyway..)

    Also, about the ghost. it comes if you spend to much time in the level. There'll be a caption at the bottom saying "you feel a chill, lets get out of here!" or something to that effect. It will also come if you try and steal a diamond skull.

    Also, you might be able to help her with sticky bombs - but yeah, not exactly easy.. Though, it seems the system to ensure that the level is completeable is very solid.
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    yah, trapped and 'inaccessible' things are common, bombs are the answer.

    The ghost only shows up if you take to long, the golden skull doesn't trigger it.
  • Dirty_Harry_PotterDirty_Harry_Potter Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9500Members
    edited August 2009
    Yeah it doesn't, but it does on a <b>diamond</b> skull.
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1720350:date=Aug 2 2009, 05:07 AM:name=Dirty_Harry_Potter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dirty_Harry_Potter @ Aug 2 2009, 05:07 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1720350"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Yeah it doesn't, but it does on a <b>diamond</b> skull.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    oh, nifty. Never seen one :P
  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    Up to 100 deaths... reached the green once more. Actually met the tunnel guy but I didn't have enough... how the heck do you get $100k in four levels? :(
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1720374:date=Aug 2 2009, 10:52 AM:name=A_Boojum_Snark)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (A_Boojum_Snark @ Aug 2 2009, 10:52 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1720374"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Up to 100 deaths... reached the green once more. Actually met the tunnel guy but I didn't have enough... how the heck do you get $100k in four levels? :(<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    you don't. Give it to him in increments, should only take around 3 times if you give him all your $$
  • steppin'razorsteppin'razor Join Date: 2008-09-18 Member: 65033Members, Constellation
    Played this game awhile back, it actually inspired me to take up Game Maker due to my love of platformers and hate of programming.
  • Dirty_Harry_PotterDirty_Harry_Potter Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9500Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1720368:date=Aug 2 2009, 03:25 PM:name=Thansal)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thansal @ Aug 2 2009, 03:25 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1720368"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->oh, nifty. Never seen one :P<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Yeah, I've seen one once, it was in a jungle/mayan level, with an 'undead event' or whatever you'd call it.
  • steppin'razorsteppin'razor Join Date: 2008-09-18 Member: 65033Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1720317:date=Aug 2 2009, 04:51 AM:name=Dirty_Harry_Potter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dirty_Harry_Potter @ Aug 2 2009, 04:51 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1720317"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Well, about shortcuts to level5 - you need to pay a tunnelmaker (which you'll stumble upon as you finish level 4, though I'm not quite sure what makes him appear..<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    my understanding is that he doesn't show up on your first time entering a new area, but will appear every time after
  • GWARGWAR Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2297Members, Contributor
    I'm playing right now as a criminal, killing the shop owners and taking stuff. It takes a pretty incredible amount of luck to kill the shop keeps, especially when they have a wanted poster of you and a shotgun out.
  • Dirty_Harry_PotterDirty_Harry_Potter Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9500Members
    edited August 2009
    Once I killed a shopowner with a shotgun from his shop, I stumble upon another one... as I descend down towards him with my cape. he misses me, I shot him in the face... I assume him dead, but 1-2 seconds later he gets up. Jumps at me. Wrestles my shotgun from me. Shoots me in the face. I die.

    Edit: Status: I got a tunnel to lvl 9, atm I'm trying to get a tunnel to lvl13. Which is so, so expensive (I've made it to lvl13 twice)
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    Fun fact:

    Stealing stuff is fun, but will get you killed in the long run.

    I came across my first jetpack and decided I must have it. The shop was RIGHT by the exit, so I nabbed the jetpack and bolted down the door. It was cool, flying around and everything. Only problem? He was waiting for me at the end of the next level :D
  • steppin'razorsteppin'razor Join Date: 2008-09-18 Member: 65033Members, Constellation
    Just got the shortcut to 13 and man, its hard from here

    mummys are brutal
  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    edited August 2009
    <img src="http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/98931/pics/finally.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

    Victory at last. I think the jungle stage was the hardest and it only got easier from there on. The third stage was so open it was real easy to get around, and then the last stage basically gave you an auto-win weapon. :)

    now if I could just figure out how to open those locked doors with it...
  • GWARGWAR Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2297Members, Contributor
    I finally beat it, once you get to the ice caves you can sacrifice tons of yeti to get the blood talisman. After that you need to get the "Psychic presence" event and blow the jetpack out of the wall behind the giant alien and your set for the rest of the game. Having a shotgun or a scepter makes it even more brutal.
  • ZeroByteZeroByte Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 3057Members
    edited August 2009
    Woo! I've also finally just beaten it in level 1-16 playthrough. I've managed to beat it using the shortcut tunnels before but I don't think that counts as a total victory. Shirtgun + jetpack is a winning combination, for NS and spelunky! I did get lucky though, I didn't experience any irate shopkeepers after killing one for their jetpack. I must say though that I've managed to clock 2000+ games on it :/ I've recently reset my scores, here's my new scores screen with the fresh victory:

    <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/chemikhazi/zb_spelunky_score.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

    I've been trying to unlock some of those frikkin' rooms for the longest time now, somehow I got really lucky with the game after resetting the scores.

    Oh, and the <a href="http://spelunky.wikia.com/" target="_blank">Spelunky Wiki</a> is pretty useful for learning about the enemies and the sacrifice levels.
  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    So about a year ago I emailed Mr. Yu, telling him about how I enjoyed the everloving hell out of Spelunky and that I would like to send some dollars his way by way of thanks. He politely declined, but mentioned that he was working on a version for XBLA and that I should buy it when it came out. I don't have a xbox, but I figure some of you lads might.

    Basically it's an incredibly unforgiving oldschool platformer, with oodles of charm and some very solid mechanics. I cannot recommend it strongly enough to any fan of early-90s platformers.

    <a href="http://spelunkyworld.com/xbla.html" target="_blank">http://spelunkyworld.com/xbla.html</a>

    Geddit. Or just download the free version for PC. It's awesome either way.

    --Scythe--
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    I remember this. I think the best explanation I've heard is "roguelike platformer." The game is unforgiving but (iirc) never unfair. You'll know why you died, it'll always be something YOU did wrong (even if you didn't know that yet), and next time you'll be a little better and make it a little further.
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