Space Climber

A fun arcade romp somewhat stymied by a weird control-scheme and some design decisions related to the mechanics, but not enough to ruin the game. Once you get the hang of the physics and controls, and wrap your head around the mechanics, Space Climber is a fun and challenging but fair arcade game with awesome music and that arcade hook that keeps you coming back. I'd love to see some genuine achievements (the ones the game has now are sort of... nonsensical) and it'd certainly be better with some work done on the physics and resource mechanics, but it's a solid game with fun co-op multiplayer. If you're on the fence, check the demo.

I have to start by saying yes, that I received the product for free and I also know the developers personally, but my review will be objective. I have played Space Climber since before being on Steam, and I can assure you that it is a good game. The objective of each phase is to obtain 20 gems, which are released by the enemies when they are destroyed. But you must be alert to ammunition and oxygen all the time, because if you run out of them you cannot shoot or breathe respectively. Here there are no secondary weapons, no control points, nor do you have to level up the character ... for not having it, there isn't even a jump. Simply use the platform to walk, fall or climb, the latter repeatedly pressing up and firing. So why is it so varied? For the variety of enemies. Each phase adds an enemy or trap, and they are very different, and they are the ones that really change the way they play. There are fast enemies, with shields, that shoot vertically or horizontally, that cross the walls, that steal time ... each one is different. The game is very difficult, much, it is one of those games that make you throw the controller to the ground, but for some reason you want to continue until you overcome it. This will last you much more than 10 hours, sure. Love Hate Overcoming the game is difficult but not impossible, however, obtaining gold medals is another story. The music and the sound effects are very good, all very retro. The weakest is perhaps the graphic aspect, which is very reminiscent of the Ms_Dos or atari 7800 games. Pixelart's drawings are correct, but perhaps the color palette is very intense, so it is better to reduce the brightness of the monitor. As a negative point, to say that the game is quite similar to the previous game of these developers, XEYYEX, so if you already have one, you can ignore the other. But if you haven't played, I recommend Space Climber, which is much better. In short, a retro and difficult game that will keep you entertained, having fun and suffering at the same time, for many hours.

I like the game. I really do. But the controls and the lack of modern standards make me give it a no. If you have a controller, you can only use the data pad. On KB arrows to move, "l" to fire. No remapping to anything that makes sense. You can hold down on ladders to go down but have to repeat the up button on each level to go up. Getting off on a specific floor going down is very tricky. Getting onto a ladder from above is also very tricky. You might think you are in the right spot. But be off by a pixel and you will be standing there getting shot instead of dropping. You can not adjust sound or volume levels so far as I can tell. The gameplay (outside of frustrating controls) is pretty cool. Sort of a cross between "Donkey Kong" and Intellivisions "Night Stalker." Climb around a ladder maze. Shoot bad guys. Collect Ammo and O2 to avoid death. Basic stuff but cool. To me, this seems like something that needs a week more in polishing before leaving "early access."