Spelunker HD Deluxe

 Switch
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Gamezebo
    Sep 15, 2021
    60
    Getting to the end of stages intact after slowly and strategically working your way through the many traps is tense and terrific. Most of the time at least. Sadly this isn’t enough for us to recommend Spelunker HD Deluxe wholeheartedly. It’s just a little too old fashioned to be consistently enjoyable, despite its co-operative options and heaps of content.
  2. Hey Poor Player
    Aug 13, 2021
    60
    Spelunker HD Deluxe isn’t going to appeal to everyone. The game is unforgivingly difficult, and many of its more frustrating mechanics would have been better off left in 1985. However, those who can look beyond these quirks will find there’s plenty of fun to be had deep underground. With clever stage designs and an addicting loop that will have you saying “just one more go,” it’s bound to appeal to fans of the series or players who just want a good challenge. If you don’t find yourself in either of those camps, you might just want to remain topside.
  3. Noisy Pixel
    Aug 12, 2021
    50
    Spelunker HD Deluxe doesn’t quite live up to its namesake, given how it is largely based on a release from over a decade ago, where the core game itself lacks the charm of the series by design. The awkward mechanics haven’t aged very well, but the premise of the level design and progression can be interesting and even rewarding at times. Unfortunately, the experience as a whole feels needlessly frustrating and dated, especially when you’re fighting against the controls for the most part.

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User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. NindieSpotlight
    Dec 17, 2021
    5
    While I had heard tales of the infamous Spelunker games and their inexplicably bad controls, until now I had never had the opportunity toWhile I had heard tales of the infamous Spelunker games and their inexplicably bad controls, until now I had never had the opportunity to experience them for myself. Now, I have also heard the praises of the titles as being challenging and rewarding for those with the temerity to learn to live with the game's many quirks. Taking it all in and reviewing the points both sides of the issue claim I'm firmly in the camp of bafflement of why anyone at this point, taking the time to give the game a new look, would deliberately continue down the path of terrible game mechanics. You could call it "hard", but I'd counter instead that it's "cheap" or "lazy" when death awaits for failing to leave a ladder wrong, falling into a small ditch, or any number of ways that defy logic. I love games that challenge my skill, but not simply my patience to endure bad design. Not recommended unless you're a die hard fan already.

    https://www.nindiespotlight.com/2021/08/mini-reviews-august-11th-edition.html    … Full Review »