Squirm

yes

Squirm is one of those independent games that immediately communicates its intentions: challenge the player, make them laugh occasionally, and send them through a world that is as strange as it is dangerous. Created by Alex Carpenter, the game follows a small protagonist who awakens from a nap only to discover that his beloved rat companion has vanished. What begins as a simple rescue mission soon expands into a lengthy journey across the bizarre realm of Squimlia, a land populated by odd creatures, hazardous environments, and enough traps to test even the most patient platforming enthusiasts. At its core, Squirm is a precision platformer built around responsive movement and level mastery. Across more than 200 stages distributed among nine worlds, players are expected to dodge spikes, leap over bottomless pits, avoid projectiles, and survive increasingly complex hazards. The game steadily introduces new obstacles, including cannons, fire-based dangers, and unusual enemies that require quick reactions and careful timing. Rather than relying on gimmicks, the experience succeeds because its mechanics remain consistently reliable. Every failed jump feels like a lesson rather than a punishment, encouraging players to immediately try again and improve. The game's greatest asset is its eccentric personality. Squirm embraces absurdity through its dialogue, environmental details, and overall presentation. The inhabitants of Squimlia frequently deliver humorous exchanges that give the adventure a lighthearted tone despite its demanding gameplay. This contrast works remarkably well, preventing the game from becoming overly serious or repetitive. The search for the missing rat provides a simple but effective narrative thread, while the world itself supplies enough charm to keep players invested throughout the lengthy campaign. Beyond its standard levels, Squirm includes six boss encounters that break up the pacing and provide memorable highlights. These fights require players to adapt to unique attack patterns and mechanics while maintaining the precision demanded by the rest of the game. Completionists are also given plenty of incentives to continue exploring, with numerous achievements, hidden secrets, and Easter eggs scattered throughout the adventure. The additional content adds replay value and rewards players willing to investigate every corner of the game's unusual world. Visually, Squirm adopts a pixel art style that complements its retro-inspired gameplay. The environments are colorful without becoming cluttered, ensuring that hazards remain easy to identify during tense platforming sequences. Its soundtrack similarly contributes to the experience, balancing whimsical melodies with tracks that enhance the tension of more difficult areas. While the production values are understandably modest compared to larger releases, the game's cohesive artistic direction gives it a distinctive identity that remains memorable long after completion. Squirm is not designed for players seeking a relaxed or forgiving experience. Its difficulty can be demanding, and some sections will inevitably require repeated attempts before success is achieved. However, fans of classic platformers and modern precision-focused titles will likely appreciate the care put into its level design and progression. Alex Carpenter has delivered an indie adventure that combines challenge, humor, and creativity into a package that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly unique. Rating: 8/10