While traditional platformers aren’t all that common anymore, many games have taken elements of their gameplay and spun them off into other genres, like rogue-likes. I should back up for a second, because even though Spelunky has randomly generated levels, it is technically not a rogue-like in the strict definition as it doesn’t not have most of the role-playing elements the genre calls for (It's also not really that new, having come out in 2008). It is what some people call rogue-lite, as it lacks a level system or a turn based gameplay. I wouldn’t call it that though. In doing research for this game, I learned that some in the community have yet another name for games like this: Procedural Death Labyrinth. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate description of Spelunky if I tried. Gameplay wise, it is pretty simple. You explore a mine filled with various enemies in a free range, 2D platforming style. You have two goals, stay alive and find the exit.
Old school game reviews and discussion, from the unfamiliar and obscure to the classics you know and love.