Splodey: A Challenging Pixelated Platformer

Sometimes, you find a game that constantly keeps you on your toes. Usually, it would be defeating challenging enemies and bosses from the Souls series made by FromSoftware or replaying levels multiple times in a brutal platformer like Super Meat Boy. But then you find a game that makes you want to perfect your skills in the hopes that you can earn some personal recognition for all the hard work that you put into it. I am talking about Splodey, from Send It Studios.

A simplistic setup for explosive action

Before I get into my feelings about the game, I want to explain the plot of Splodey briefly. You play as a wizard-in-training who tries to perfect their potion-crafting abilities inside a castle. But somehow, they keep failing at it to the point where they become frustrated with the process. So they decided that they should destroy the castle for revenge to prove themselves as being the superior wizard.

The story is fairly straightforward as you move along and get a handle on the mechanics. Its pixelated aesthetic works for a platformer of its genre, where you don't necessarily have to pay attention to the story to get much from it, as you are much more focused on completing the levels instead of waiting to see the next story beat. But there is one crucial mechanic that you need to be aware of in Splodey: you have no jump button.

A platformer with a devious twist

The idea around Splodey is that while it seems like a simple platformer, you don't have total control over your character. You move around by lining up your explosive potions to propel yourself along different surfaces, areas, and walls to reach your objective. Each level is timed, so you gauge your prowess by earning medals and seeing how quickly you can complete the stage. Sometimes, I find myself finishing levels in only a single try, but then I come across a section that frustrates me to my breaking point. I like that challenge because I get to try new strategies in my head to see if I can reasonably complete the level.

While I haven't finished Splodey, I enjoy the wide variety of levels at which you start. Each world offers plenty of challenges to skill and talent around every corner. At any given point, secret skulls can be found in hard-to-reach spots. Sometimes, there would be levels where you have to go through floating orbs that transport you to a different section of the level as I quickly move along the area of the map while also worrying about spike pits that could end my run.

Splodey has all the correct elements for a platformer of its ilk, making it enjoyable to play. There are leaderboards for each level, so you can easily compare your times with your friends. The game also has a replay feature similar to Super Meat Boy, where you can see all of the failed attempts before achieving a perfect sprint to the finish line.

Do I want to keep playing?

It has been a while since I fully immersed myself in the world of Splodey, but I do want to see it through to completion, maybe play a level or two here and there. Splodey can definitely be frustrating in parts, so it works as a pick-up-and-put-down sort of experience, but that's just the nature of a platformer. Even the most simplistic-looking ones can hide a ruthless challenge underneath itself that will surely cause you to pull your hair out at times.