Spelunky! [Archive] - Colony of Gamers

Lekon

01-14-2009, 03:25 AM

Spelunky Thread with download from the Developer (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=4017.0)

So. A few of us already know about it, and its spread (like stone soup) once I brought this monstrosity into IRC. For those who don't know, its a side scrolling platformer with random levels/treasures/secrets.. basicly if Nethack and Super Mario Brothers had a bastard offspring.

Thing is: the game is amazingly fun, for reasons I can't honestly place. Sometimes you'll die in six seconds from stupid moves, but sometimes you get a good roll going and might even make it to the bottom. There are shortcuts (if you get down low enough a few times, you can buy shortcuts to make it quicker on your next games.)

Give it a few shots folks, and post your stories of horrible death.

Variable Gear

01-14-2009, 03:34 AM

I heard about this on Podtoid (http://www.destructoid.com/podtoid-82-the-internet-making-cannibalism-easier-117040.phtml) today. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the link, Lekon!

Purple Santa

01-14-2009, 05:25 AM

Cool. More downloadable treasures...

SilentScreams

01-14-2009, 09:19 AM

Downloading for a quick play before I have to go to work.

Edit: I'm going to catalogue my stupid deaths here.

#1: Spider In A Jar.
#2: Nailed a bat with a rock, but fell onto spikes in the process.
#3: Blew myself up with a misplaced bomb. I'm good at this game.
#4: Picked up something I shouldn't have. Crushed by boulder.
#5: Spikes again.

5 deaths in about 25 minutes. I like this game. :D

Ravenlock

01-14-2009, 09:27 AM

Spelunky is an amazingly polished game for what it is, and I've been spreading it as much as I can among my circle of gaming friends. I find myself launching it without thinking about it to kill a few minutes much more often than I might have expected.

Some really solid, entertaining game design in there, and a lot of nice little touches, as well. I love the "rescuing the damsel" mechanics, especially. :D

Nura

01-14-2009, 09:36 AM

Doesn't work for me :( it simply refuses to start.

SilentScreams

01-14-2009, 09:52 AM

Son of a bitch!
I almost made it to the exit with 14k worth of treasure, but I got greedy and had to go back for a couple of gems I missed and a chest.
Opened the chest and there was a bomb in it, and me, thinking it was a ruby never once wondering why it was flashing, just stood there. :o

I love this game.

Wasson_

01-14-2009, 10:22 AM

omg, this game is freakin addictive. What a great little game.

I was trapped in a little nook by a giant spider! no escape...so I lit the fuse and took em' with me!

Food Nipple

01-14-2009, 03:38 PM

I love this game.

My high score is currently:

Money: 115750
Kills: 86
Saves: 6

There's so many fantastic things about this game, and I'm still finding all kinds of new stuff. I love how even the intro text before the title screen randomly changes. Most of the time I try to save up money for a jetpack. I will pick up some climbing gloves along the way given the chance, and I'll always buy an extra pack of bombs or two, especially since I almost always kill the giant spiders for some paste to get sticky bombs.

I did have a round recently where I found a teleporter inside of a supply crate in one of the first levels. I was kicking some seriously ass with the thing, until I accidentally teleported directly above one of those man eating plants which instantly devoured me.

What's the deal with the Easter Island heads? I had a pair of spectacles on and noticed that there was a cape buried in the bottom of one, but I couldn't seem to blow the thing up with bombs? Is it guaranteed that those things have a cape in them like the mattock at the bottom of the snake pit?

Wasson_

01-14-2009, 04:16 PM

so, the climbing gloves...let you scale vertical walls?

I like how the enemies are rather theatening and how environmental hazards will kill them as well, but the fact that it's a new experiance every time makes the game so awesome.

I hate that fuckin ghost though.

cp#

01-14-2009, 05:34 PM

brb finishing off a level of spelunky

Spockrocket

01-14-2009, 06:38 PM

Downloading now. I'm a sucker for platformers.

Variable Gear

01-15-2009, 04:49 AM

I hate that fuckin ghost though.
I had an epic moment where I was carrying a damsel in distress to the level exit, ran back to another spot, picked up my golden idol and somehow managed to exit the level before I was killed by the ghost. It was tense, since I only had one health, but I made it. Naturally, I made a silly mistake in the next level and died almost instantly.

Those ghosts are indeed annoying, but that just means they are serving their purpose.

SilentScreams

01-15-2009, 09:14 AM

The ghost only really gets me when I get him on a dark level and can't find the exit.
He usually indirectly kills me in those levels, because I rush around looking for the exit and usually get shot by an arrow trap.

Panthera

01-15-2009, 09:33 AM

I am enjoying this. I discover something new every time!

biosc1

01-15-2009, 10:01 AM

Played the game with my 360 controller last night. It didn't want to recognize the triggers, but the shoulders were fine.

A = Jump
X = Action
Y = Switch
B = Run
LB = Rope
RB = Bomb
Select = Flare
Start = Start.

Though, I think it'll be better as:
A = Jump
X = Action
Y = Rope
B = Bomb
LB = Switch
RB = Run
Select = Flare
Start = Start.

Played really well, though, with the controller :)

Food Nipple

01-15-2009, 10:28 AM

The trigger problem could be one of two things:

a) If you're using XP, the default driver for the 360 controller maps the triggers to an axis, rather than digital buttons. (Even worse, they're mapped to the same axis, so pushing both LT and RT has the same effect as pushing neither). I hear they fixed this for the vista driver, but I have no first hand experience.

I use XBCD (http://www.redcl0ud.com/xbcd.html), which lets you remap the buttons any way you chose, you can also toggle the triggers between buttons and axises.

b) Spelunky doesn't seem to recognize joypad buttons above B9, so if your triggers are mapped to B10 and B11, you're going to need to remap. I have it currently set to:

A = Jump
X = Action
Y = Switch
B = Flare
LT = Run
RT = Purchase
LB = Bomb
Back = Rope
Start = Start

I always equip bombs and ropes using the switch button, so I put the bomb and rope on buttons I'd never accidentally hit. Using the keyboard I've accidentally thrown a few bombs I didn't mean to. Also, if the game is paused the bomb button kills you and the rope button quits the game, so that's another reason to put them somewhere where you won't accidentally hit them.

biosc1

01-15-2009, 03:43 PM

T
I always equip bombs and ropes using the switch button, so I put the bomb and rope on buttons I'd never accidentally hit. Using the keyboard I've accidentally thrown a few bombs I didn't mean to. Also, if the game is paused the bomb button kills you and the rope button quits the game, so that's another reason to put them somewhere where you won't accidentally hit them.

Ahhh...good call. I hate punting a bomb when I don't mean to.

Wasson_

01-15-2009, 04:46 PM

The climbing gloves are the best thing ever, get them at all costs!

This game still needs IMO-
A occasional shop in between levels often offering bombs / ropes.

Some other use for the whip other than a weapon, swinging perhaps? Also, I want to be able to whip the spiders from directly below as they drop, or set off a trap with it.

Some kind of invincibility power-up.

Certain items to be more prolific.

Ink Asylum

01-15-2009, 06:02 PM

Wow. This game is wonderful. Deceptively simple but requires a lot of planning to get the most out of your limited resources. Plenty of surprises when trying things for the first time. Like:

Getting crushed by a huge boulder the first time you pick up an idol. Or accidentally pulling out a bomb in the old man's shop causing him to whip out a shotgun and kill me while yelling "Terrorist!" That one had me laughing.

biosc1

01-15-2009, 06:06 PM

Food Nipple

01-15-2009, 06:42 PM

Here's a couple of quick tips for beginners:

-Always explore everything laterally before you drop down a hole you can't climb back up

-Bombs are more valuable than Ropes, if you get stuck in a place and can either bomb the floor or use a rope to climb back up, I almost always use the rope

-You can use the damsel as a weapon by throwing her, as long as you don't throw her onto spikes she'll be fine.

-Try to carry a rock at all times, you can use one to set off the arrow traps.

-Giant Spiders always drop a sticky bomb powerup. To kill a giant spider throw a bomb into the webbing directly below it.

-If you see the message: "I hear snakes, I hate snakes!" That means there's a snake pit in the level. Bombing the very bottom of the snake pit will always give you a mattock, which you can use to dig horizontally through walls.

-Mattocks randomly break, they can even break after a single swing.

-Treasure Chests are never worth expending bombs or ropes to get to, but I will always try to get to a supply crate

-There's a lot of tricky platforming you can pull off if you have good timing, you'll be surprised about the things you can climb.

-If you crawl up to a ledge, hang over the side and jump down, you can land on a bed of spikes without killing yourself.

Ink Asylum

01-15-2009, 06:54 PM

I killed the damsel with a bomb. I didn't realize she died so I carried her into the exit but got a kill instead of loot credit.

Lekon

01-15-2009, 08:49 PM

Glad everyone is enjoying the evilness of the Spelunky.

To go with food: some other tips.

The Shortcut guy always appears *after* the first time you make it to a new level set. All money you give him will be carried over. This can be really handy, so you can skip to the dungeon and practice a bit.

The "Psychic Presence" always has a jetpack in the rocks behind it (like the mattock in the snake pit)

That easter island head is one of the steps to get to the *secret* but its a long, hard, rough, and *luck needed* path, even for spelunky.

Shopkeepers are fun to kill. Seriously. I refuse to buy stuff because I prefer figuring out how to kill them (Toughest bastards in the game!) If you get away with theft/murder, there will be a camper waiting at the next level exit. If you kill him, another one will show up at the next level. If you sneak past, You're free!

Other funny note. The "Kissing Booth" shopkeeper. If you whip the girl, he shoots you both while yelling 'Only I get to do that!'

Ink Asylum

01-15-2009, 09:43 PM

Man, I really love games like this, old-school graphics with all sorts of little, hard to find secrets. It's what made Cave Story such a stellar game and I hope to see more people go the extra mile to make games like it. I'd pay money for Spelunky, and I intend on buying Cave Story for Wii, partly for the graphical upgrade and partly because Pixel has earned my cash.

Variable Gear

01-15-2009, 09:47 PM

axion

01-15-2009, 10:36 PM

This game is amazing.

SilentScreams

01-15-2009, 10:40 PM

Goes to prove you don't need a huge budget and large team to make a fun game.
As others have said, I'd pay money for Spelunky.

biosc1

01-15-2009, 11:26 PM

A XBLA/Steam/PSN version of Spelunky would be awesome. I'd definitely buy it. :)

I was thinking a DS version would be perfect :)

Variable Gear

01-15-2009, 11:33 PM

I was thinking a DS version would be perfect :)
I'd prefer a PSP version, but a DS version would be nice too.

boratika

01-16-2009, 07:52 AM

Good to see this game getting the love it deserves. I had meant to start a thread about it, but was too busy playing Spelunky...

SilentScreams

01-16-2009, 08:05 AM

I just loaded it up so I could have a "quick attempt at breaking my crappy record"...an hour and a half and about 25 deaths later, here I am. Still Spelunking.
And my crappy record is still the best I've done.

Ink Asylum

01-16-2009, 08:34 AM

I played for an hour or two but I have yet to get past level 3. Man, I suck. So many stupid, stupid deaths. Also, I am terrified of the big spiders. Freaky.

axion

01-16-2009, 08:39 AM

Goronmon

01-16-2009, 08:40 AM

Damn, I'll have to give this game a shot this weekend.

Food Nipple

01-16-2009, 09:19 AM

It's fucking hard. I finally got to the ice place, but no shortcut man before, so I couldn't help him. What is the meaning of the other rooms above the one (change room, star room etc.). Also, robbing the gun dude is easy, buy one and kill him, then rob away :).

You don't even have to buy the gun to fire it, don't bother buying it if you're just going to kill the shopkeeper :).

The rooms are a couple of minigames that get unlocked if you meet the right criteria. One has to do with the amount of money you have, another one is for a high number of kills in a round.

The only one worth opening is the change room. You have to rescue around 8 damsels in a single game for it to open, and it lets you play as the damsel and rescue little Indys.

Ink Asylum

01-16-2009, 09:53 AM

Damn work. I want to be playing this game right now. I can see a lot of my weekend going into this.

Procedurally generated content is going to be huge soon.

Ink Asylum

01-16-2009, 10:47 AM

Hilarious Spelunky vid:

zXgmrt_X9rU

I also thought that throwing an object up meant straight up, though I wasn't skilled enough to kill myself with my own rock.

cp#

01-16-2009, 03:29 PM

I just beat a level of Spelunky and I'm really tired now.

Libuke

01-16-2009, 09:47 PM

I just can't get into the game, it might have to do with the keyboard, for some reason my hand hurts well playing this game. I think it is because I have to have two hand on the keyboard well playing and I am just not used to it. I think if I had a game pad I would enjoy it more but I don't; o well.

Heretic Machine

01-16-2009, 10:02 PM

It really should be played with a gamepad.

EDIT: Well, I played when Lekon first started playing, and I even played a bit today, but no I can't see anything anymore... once I get into the game, it's just a black screen with music. If I press ESC, I can see the Paused screen with the graphics faded behind it, but that's it. Whatever.

OrangePulp

01-16-2009, 10:53 PM

The simplest solution to the black screen issue is to run Fraps. Just run it once and start the game, and then you can close it and probably not have to again; I haven't, and I've booted it up a few times since.

Ink Asylum

01-16-2009, 11:17 PM

I'm doing ok in the game but I'll definitely play much better once I hook up a controller. Man, this game can be frustrating! Nothing like getting a whole ton of items then getting killed by a spider to make you want to ragequit.

Food Nipple

01-17-2009, 01:04 AM

I was so close to completing a full run through the game. I died on the last boss because I lost my patience. Plus, I made one stupid mistake which made me lose a damsel and the chance to unlock the changing room.

Ever since that run I've had terrible luck item spawns. I made it to the lava world twice without a single item spawn, not even extra bombs. There hasn't even been a store to buy stuff at, and I can't even find the Udjat Eye half the time anymore.

Anyways, if you want to check out my fateful run, sans stupid death, I happened to be recording it. The first video is pretty spoiler free, but the second half is spoiler central. Half the fun of Spelunky is discovering this stuff on your own, so view at your own risk.

Oj67i3INF5o

V8L4P88HEF8

Wackman3000

01-17-2009, 03:14 AM

Everytime I see you playing Splunky, I just figure it's a secret term for masturbating, since is sounds like something terribly dirty.

"Ya, instead of going out tonight, I just stayed in and played with my spelunky."

:)

Variable Gear

01-17-2009, 06:43 AM

Anyways, if you want to check out my fateful run, sans stupid death, I happened to be recording it. The first video is pretty spoiler free, but the second half is spoiler central. Half the fun of Spelunky is discovering this stuff on your own, so view at your own risk.
I didn't watch the second video, since I don't want to have anything spoiled for me, but I did check out the first one. You were playing really well, even considering your encounter with that bat and that damsel's unnecessary death. Keep playing like that, and I'm sure you'll clear the game soon.

Lekon

01-17-2009, 09:35 PM

New version's up folks. Lots of bug fixes, and apparently some buffs to the weapons no one ever used (Mattock/Machete).

Variable Gear

01-17-2009, 09:49 PM

Awesome. I just picked up the new version myself. I'm curious about these custom levels...

Hotcod

01-17-2009, 10:39 PM

i wish i could get in to this game more... but it has gotten me interested in trying to doing this kind of level design in some future uni project. Not exactly sure how yet but an "art" game based around procedural generation could be rather interesting way of playing with art design and drawing... god dammit i need to stop getting new ideas, i'm planing on learning to use blender for 3d animation this year and now i have to learn how to code this stuff for flash :(

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/blog.php?b=646

Posted a rather long blog detailing my first thoughts on this stuff

Lekon

01-17-2009, 11:00 PM

If you want to see some art, check out a few of the levels that came packaged with this version. Especially "Cruelty" a level that plays itself... artistry! Pain.

Ink Asylum

01-19-2009, 09:10 AM

I played way too much of Spelunky this weekend. "One More Level" games are far too addicting, though with Spelunky it's usually "One More Game" after I stupidly die.

I finally realized that the shortcut guy isn't asking for $100,000 at once, a goal that is nearly impossible in four levels, but is asking for whatever you can spare. That helped a lot.

After being a good customer for a while I've taken to trying my hardest to kill the shopkeeper or otherwise rob him blind. It's a fun challenge. I like throwing bombs into his shop then running around the map hoping to loop around and steal the goods through the new hole in his floor.

axion

01-19-2009, 09:11 AM

I finally beat the Ice World, but died promptly in some lava :(. At least I have the shortcut to lvl 9.

Hotcod

01-19-2009, 10:10 AM

just spent an hour playing... and i still can't get past 3rd level or so for making silly mistakes heh but i did find out something cool. The golden idol that triggers the rolling ball? i accidentally kicked a bomb and it landed next to it and blew the idol off the pad with out setting off the ball. might be useful way to get the thing if you don't have room to run or rope to climb up.

It's a wonderful little game... and one of those rear gems that keep setting off ideas for me. If i ever do finish the arty game i'm working on it will owe a lot to this thing

biosc1

01-19-2009, 12:23 PM

accidentally kicked a bomb and it landed next to it and blew the idol off the pad with out setting off the ball. might be useful way to get the thing if you don't have room to run or rope to climb up.

Nice...

I found out that trying to be Indiana Jones and putting a rock down and picking up the idol didn't work...

GrenMag

01-19-2009, 12:54 PM

Nice...

I found out that trying to be Indiana Jones and putting a rock down and picking up the idol didn't work...

Yeah, didn't work for him either, did it?

Ink Asylum

01-19-2009, 12:56 PM

Good point!

Food Nipple

01-19-2009, 12:58 PM

just spent an hour playing... and i still can't get past 3rd level or so for making silly mistakes heh but i did find out something cool. The golden idol that triggers the rolling ball? i accidentally kicked a bomb and it landed next to it and blew the idol off the pad with out setting off the ball. might be useful way to get the thing if you don't have room to run or rope to climb up.

I almost always prefer using a rope to get out, but there is one time that bombing the idol is the way to go. If you want to avoid killing a shopkeeper who would otherwise be killed by a rolling boulder, you can bomb the idol and take it.

Sometimes it's worth pissing off the shopkeeper association, but if it's just a bomb shop dude, or the guy running the craps parlor, I'd rather avoid incurring their wrath.

Ink Asylum

01-19-2009, 01:01 PM

I definitely can't resist trying to off a shopkeeper that has more than one extremely useful item like climbing gloves, spring shoes, the cape, the jetpack, and the mattock.

Food Nipple

01-19-2009, 01:22 PM

I just found this video, this is why a yeti can wreck your shit.

tHhjZKsbtwg

Ink Asylum

01-19-2009, 01:30 PM

Who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?

Hotcod

01-20-2009, 11:45 AM

woo i just managed to get to the new jungle tile set and was quickly killed heh

Goronmon

01-20-2009, 12:07 PM

I just found this video, this is why a yeti can wreck your shit.Oh man, that video is hilarious.

biosc1

01-20-2009, 02:33 PM

Is there any way around the ghost? Or is that just something telling you it's high time to get out of that level?

Ink Asylum

01-20-2009, 02:36 PM

Is there any way around the ghost? Or is that just something telling you it's high time to get out of that level?

As far as I know there's no way to stop the ghost from appearing, but if you're quick and sneaky you can dodge him for a while. Recently the ghost got between me and the exit and I had to backtrack into a big loop around the level, blowing up walls and tossing ropes, in order to get out alive.

An interesting tidbit I didn't know about the ghost: For the daring and agile, if the ghost passes over gems, it turns them into diamonds of higher value than what you would normally get for picking them up.

There's already a Spelunky Wiki (http://spelunky.wikia.com/wiki/Spelunky_Wiki), for anyone who wants to get stats and tips on everything in the game.

axion

01-21-2009, 09:57 AM

Something awesome just happened. Decided I wanted to rob the store, and I happened to have sticky bombs. So I throw up a rope in the store, climb up and prime a bomb. As I press down to throw it, it nails the running shopkeeper and STICKS! Very lulzworthy.
EDIT: Next map, the boulder lands right in front of the door and I'm screwed :(.

Ink Asylum

01-21-2009, 10:09 AM

I learned the importance of dropping the Damsel before setting bombs last night. I went to drop a bomb and pressed down and the bomb button. When I ran away the bomb wasn't there. I dropped the Damsel and realized that I was using Sticky Bombs so the bomb has stuck to her instead of the ground. I bolted, sucks to be her.

Ink Asylum

01-22-2009, 10:54 AM

Man, I suck at this game. I'm trying to play through the game straight instead of using the shortcut to level 5 I bought, but nine times out of ten I don't survive zone 1. I need to stop rushing myself.

Variable Gear

01-22-2009, 11:01 AM

I'm terrible as well, Ink boy. I have yet to see level ten, and I've played over 200 times. :(

Ink Asylum

01-22-2009, 12:52 PM

I hate those man eating plants!

Alkanos

01-22-2009, 12:58 PM

I've gotten to the point where I can usually make it to level 5 if I try. However, I think I've made it to level 6 once. Maybe twice. I got the shortcut specifically so that I can practice that place. Unfortunately, it hasn't gone well... :D

Food Nipple

01-22-2009, 01:51 PM

I hate those man eating plants!

If you purchase the spiked shoes, you can jump on their heads without being eaten. I often purchase a pair of spiked shoes if I'm given the chance.

Doctor Setebos

01-22-2009, 01:55 PM

I suck at playing this with a keyboard. I'm going to pick up a Bluetooth adapter so I can hook up my Wii remote and play it the way it was meant to be played. :D

Ink Asylum

01-22-2009, 03:41 PM

If you purchase the spiked shoes, you can jump on their heads without being eaten. I often purchase a pair of spiked shoes if I'm given the chance.

Sweet! I used to ignore those in favor of Spring Shoes or Climbing Gloves. I'll consider them now or just kill the shopkeeper and take them.

axion

01-22-2009, 03:43 PM

I suck at playing this with a keyboard. I'm going to pick up a Bluetooth adapter so I can hook up my Wii remote and play it the way it was meant to be played. :D

Not free != the way it was meant to be played :p.

Food Nipple

01-22-2009, 04:47 PM

Sweet! I used to ignore those in favor of Spring Shoes or Climbing Gloves. I'll consider them now or just kill the shopkeeper and take them.

In my opinion, if you see all three of those in a store:

Climbing Gloves > Spiked Shoes > Spring Shoes

I really don't like the spring shoes. While they do give you access to some places you would normally need a rope to reach, the extra jump height screws up some jumps that you would otherwise be able to make, and that extra jump height can translate into more instances of fall damage if you're not careful.

That said, if I don't have any items and the spring shoes are my only option, I will pick them up. You're always better off spending your cash on items.

biosc1

01-22-2009, 04:59 PM

Has anyone finished this game yet?

Just read the wiki and started to get an idea of what needed to be done...can be tricky, if you tick off shop keepers.

Food Nipple

01-22-2009, 10:22 PM

Has anyone finished this game yet?

Just read the wiki and started to get an idea of what needed to be done...can be tricky, if you tick off shop keepers.

I did one successful run from level 1-16. From the sound of it, you're talking about
The City of Gold It's not necessary to go there to win the game. I've unlocked that once, but unless you're swimming in bombs or you happened to have a mattock, it's not worthwhile. Now that I think about it, I don't know how you'd bring a mattock there. You're obviously going to have your hands full, you'd need to be very lucky for it to pay off.

I think there needs to be a bigger reward for getting there, as it requires quite a lot of work, and a fair amount of cash unless you're planning on stealing the "something special" from that one shop.

Food Nipple

01-26-2009, 11:06 AM

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/foodnipple/spelunkywin.jpg

I'm disappointed, I had the eye and helmet, but just couldn't find the scepter. I think the mummy fell into the lava. I had a huge cache of bombs all set for the city of gold too.

Ink Asylum

01-26-2009, 12:37 PM

I hate you. I've only made it the ice world once, no further. I had the jet pack and was zipping around the level 11 but died when I got too close to an exploding spaceship.

PathMaster

01-26-2009, 12:44 PM

Grabbed that and Aquaria the other day, really need to try them both.

Lekon

01-26-2009, 01:22 PM

Has anyone finished this game yet?

Just read the wiki and started to get an idea of what needed to be done...can be tricky, if you tick off shop keepers.

I have 2 wins under my belt... but nothing like Foodnipple. Dayum man. Do you have all the gold trophies already?

Ink Asylum

01-26-2009, 01:28 PM

Some questions:

What can kill damsels? Usually I accidentally kill mine either on spikes or with bombs. Will they be killed if they're hit by enough arrows/thrown pots/etc.?

What is the "Saves" stat? The amount of damsels you save?

How many levels will you be hunted/hated by the shopkeepers for wronging/killing one of them?

Food Nipple

01-26-2009, 02:01 PM

I have 2 wins under my belt... but nothing like Foodnipple. Dayum man. Do you have all the gold trophies already?

This is my trophy room:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/foodnipple/spelunkystats.jpg

Sorry about all those level 1 suicides, buddy.

Ink Asylum

01-26-2009, 02:25 PM

Heh. Glad I'm not the only one that suicides on level 1 if I take damage, lose a maiden, etc. I'm up to about 500 deaths and no wins. Silver trophy for money and damsels.

axion

01-27-2009, 02:36 PM

FUCK! Got the Ankh, the Hedjet, killed 2 big Yetis, get to the mummy with sticky bombs. Then one of those damn moving blocks going horizontal nailed me and I died :(.

Ink Asylum

01-29-2009, 12:13 PM

I still have yet to make it to the Ice level again, let alone the temple one. Man, I suck. Last night I made it to the Black Market, where I was killed by the enemies in that zone. I didn't have enough money for the Ankh anyway.

axion

01-29-2009, 01:10 PM

I keep getting the Ankh but die in the wrong level.

axion

01-29-2009, 02:22 PM

Well damn. I got everything but must have overlooked the golden door entrance in the last couple of levels. Boss was a breeze with jetpack and scepter though. 171 kills and 280000 treasure.

Food Nipple

01-29-2009, 03:46 PM

Arphahat

01-29-2009, 04:57 PM

The City of Gold is overrated, in my opinion. I find it nearly impossible to steal the Ankh, so you're going to have to invest at least 50k to get there, and in order to capitalize on it, you're going to need a shitload of bombs, which often means you'll need to fork over some additional cash to ensure you've got at least 15 by the time you get there.

It's possible to get 100k in gold in the city, but you invest at least 50k to get it, lose any extra hit points you got early in the game, and sacrifice your scepter to get there. I think you'd be better off using your extra bombs to get buried rubies and sapphires.

I read this and have to believe I am playing a different game. Black market, city of gold, ankh... I've haven't seen any of this. Is it possible to find without reading about somewhere?

Although, I am OK at this, I think. Well, I might be good, but I have a hard time not stealing from the store and almost always pay for it with my life at the end of the next level. But, shit, how can I not take the shotgun? One shot, point blank, and it is yours for free!

axion

01-30-2009, 09:51 AM

Shit, I am owning this game. Just did a speed run, Level 1 to finish in 7:08. And I guess that other time I beat it I got 900000 points somehow. Here's my room:
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/9716/trophyroomxe7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Now I just need to save the 8 ladies.

Ink Asylum

01-30-2009, 12:28 PM

I cannot keep myself from stupid, pointless deaths. A set of spikes here, a man-eating plant there...

Wasson_

02-01-2009, 07:21 AM

I enjoy a run every so often, but not as much as you guys it would seem.

I'm getting better each time, and sometimes the game is full of goodies from the get go.
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5909/spelunkylvl1awesomeis6.jpg

the other day I managed to kill a shop keep with a bomb and steal his shotgun, then just started to breeze through a whole bunch of levels.

I love getting the climbing gloves and a cape. Best things ever. :)

Variable Gear

02-01-2009, 01:50 PM

I am still terrible at this game. I still die in situations where success was almost guaranteed.

Ink Asylum

02-02-2009, 10:34 AM

I really wish the Shotgun/Pistol/etc. would just replace your whip as your attack button and allow you to carry other items without having to drop it first.

Superman's Dead

02-02-2009, 12:50 PM

I don't know what it is with games like this and Angband, but I can play for years on end and make mental notes about how to play better but still never EVER get further than maybe a tenth of the way in.

Edit:Which is my way of saying I'm additcted.

Variable Gear

02-02-2009, 05:03 PM

I really wish the Shotgun/Pistol/etc. would just replace your whip as your attack button and allow you to carry other items without having to drop it first.
Same here. It's a pain to have to continually drop your shotgun/pistol/whatever as you try to unlock a chest with a key, rescue a damsel, or steal a golden idol. I'm not sure I'd like guns to replace your whip by default, but perhaps it could be a toggle option in the next version.

Also, I tend to struggle when platforming with the climbing gloves. I'm not sure how useful this would be for everyone, but I'd like a button to hold down that would prevent my hero from grabbing onto the wall. However, it's possible that I just suck at the game. :o

Ink Asylum

02-02-2009, 09:33 PM

So I finally made it through area 3, equipped as I was with the Shotgun, a Jet Pack, and the Spike Shoes, it was a breeze. My first taste of area 4 was a terrifying affair as I had no idea what to expect. I managed to dodge the moving spike blocks that surprised me and kill a bunch of cultists. I even took out a Mummy with my Shotgun from afar. Bringing the Scepter along I went to get the idol and the trap freaked me out. I blew open a wall, threw down the idol, then flew back up to try to retrieve the Scepter only to slam my head into the spikes. I got greedy.

Shrinn

02-03-2009, 08:12 AM

Downloading this game now. Would you say it's easier or harder than I Wanna Be The Guy? :D

Ink Asylum

02-03-2009, 08:38 AM

Much easier. It's challenging in a very fair and predictable way. No cheap deaths, here. If you die it's your fault.

Variable Gear

02-03-2009, 10:14 AM

Much easier. It's challenging in a very fair and predictable way. No cheap deaths, here. If you die it's your fault.
But I couldn't even see those spikes... :(

Food Nipple

02-03-2009, 10:44 AM

But I couldn't even see those spikes... :(

If you stand still while ducking, the camera scrolls down. If you still can't see the spikes, you're falling far enough to take fall damage, and you should have thrown a rope down :p

Variable Gear

02-03-2009, 10:47 AM

If you stand still while ducking, the camera scrolls down. If you still can't see the spikes, you're falling far enough to take fall damage, and you should have thrown a rope down :p
Ah, I didn't know that. I knew you'd take damage from falling too far, but I didn't know that the scrolling of the screen was your guide. It looks like I'll be burning more ropes in my upcoming Spleunky session.

Shrinn

02-03-2009, 11:11 AM

Yea, it's pretty hard but a lot of fun. I've gotta learn how to not rush. In about 10 real attempts (not suiciding on level 1) I've gotten to the jungle tileset only once. Edit: Also, fuck spiders.

Hotcod

02-03-2009, 12:02 PM

If you stand still while ducking, the camera scrolls down. If you still can't see the spikes, you're falling far enough to take fall damage, and you should have thrown a rope down :p

how do you throw ropes out rather than up?

also i just learnt that you can pick up and throw the pot things... which is useful

Food Nipple

02-03-2009, 12:22 PM

how do you throw ropes out rather than up?

also i just learnt that you can pick up and throw the pot things... which is useful

Crouch and use a rope to throw it down. He'll throw the rope one tile over and it will uncoil downward. I personally prefer to whip pots to open them, in case there's an enemy inside, but you can throw one to trigger the arrow traps.

Ink Asylum

02-03-2009, 12:43 PM

If you need a little extra height on an upwards rope you can throw one while at the height of your jump to get it an extra two tiles up and you'll still be able to jump up and grab it. You can also throw ropes up while on a rope. Rarely needed, but useful when you do.

LongStepMantis

02-03-2009, 07:45 PM

I somehow missed this game until just now.

I was mauled to death by a giant spider 5 feet from the start of the first level.
Somehow, this only intrigued me more.

Edit: 2nd game I stumbled on a golden idol close to the start. Having seen Indiana Jones I knew what the rumbling meant. I somehow managed to flail/jump on top of the boulder and rode it across the level, smashing down everything its path. I fucking love this game already and I've been playing for 6 minutes.

Ink Asylum

02-04-2009, 09:16 AM

So addicting and so frustrating. I played for hours yesterday hoping to finally beat the game so I could take a break from it for a while without it nagging at my mind. No dice.

TWICE I found the Jetpack in the first crate I opened, only to have the worst luck and die stupidly before making it out of the first area. I SUCK!

LongStepMantis

02-04-2009, 12:56 PM

Food Nipple

02-04-2009, 01:31 PM

Fucking shopkeeper.

I had such an awesome start. I had spring boots and nearly 10 of both bombs and ropes in stage 2. I grabbed the idol and climbed above the boulder, which then rolled by (not into) the shop. When I went down to use the shop, the shopkeeper instantly blew my head off. Evidently the boulder rolling near his shop was enough for him to identify me as hostile...yet he stood perfectly still and played possum until I was in shooting range. I hate that old bastard.

I've had that happen a couple of times. If you're at all concerned that a boulder might aggro a shopkeeper, you can bomb the Idol off of the pedestal, which allows you to pick it up without triggering the boulder.

LongStepMantis

02-04-2009, 03:34 PM

I've had that happen a couple of times. If you're at all concerned that a boulder might aggro a shopkeeper, you can bomb the Idol off of the pedestal, which allows you to pick it up without triggering the boulder.

I never thought to try bombing the idol's pedestal. Thanks. :D

I finally made it to the jungle levels, and was killed by a ghost for picking up a skull idol. Is there any way to kill a ghost or is running your only option? During normal ghost appearances I just beeline to the exit and usually don't even see it. He's right up on you with the idol though.

Ink Asylum

02-05-2009, 09:38 AM

No way to kill the ghost. That skull idol is worth $30,000, so your best option is to make sure you can haul ass to the exit after grabbing it without running into too many obstacles.

LongStepMantis

02-06-2009, 03:01 PM

So I had the shortcut man finish the level 5 shortcut...and I can't make it any further no matter what I do. I managed to make it to the ice stage once, and only once, in about 50 attempts. The first yeti I encountered killed me.

Also, levels without light can eat my ass. That is all.

Ink Asylum

02-06-2009, 06:04 PM

LongStepMantis

02-06-2009, 07:47 PM

I paid for the level 5 shortcut but I don't use it. The jungle area is a lot easier if you get out of the cave area with a couple items, like the climbing glove, extra bombs/rope, possibly even a jetpack, and all the extra health from damsels.

Yes and no, but mostly yes.

The only thing the shortcut helps out for right now is so I can just grind through 5-9 as fast as possible. I may miss a lot of stuff and make far less money, but my only goal when doing that is to make it to shortcut man as fast as possible, dump whatever cash I have on him, and then die within a minute of the ice stage start.

I definitely agree that you're overall better off sucking it up and starting from level 1 most times though, because the stuff you accumulate at the start can really help. A couple runs ago I got a shotgun out of a chest in level 2 or 3 and used it to slay the shopkeep at the bomb store on that level. I ended the stage with full life, a shotgun, and like 30 sticky bombs. Talk about making a huge damn difference. Killed that giant piranha for the first time as well.

Variable Gear

02-13-2009, 05:11 AM

Yes! I finally got to the fourth area, and I unlocked the second shortcut. I love this game.

LongStepMantis

02-13-2009, 10:59 AM

Yes! I finally got to the fourth area, and I unlocked the second shortcut. I love this game.

The ice levels will grind you up into a fine paste. Although it is funny when you get stuck between two yetis for a rousing game of what I like to call yeti ball with your corpse.

The only time I ever beat the ice stages was when I stole a jetpack. And the next area is much, much harder. This game is brutal beyond measure.

Ink Asylum

02-13-2009, 11:26 AM

I would hate to get to the Ice area without a jetpack. Ideally, I shoot to have a Jetpack, Shotgun, and Spike Shoes by the time I get to the Ice levels.

Arphahat

02-13-2009, 06:29 PM

I finally beat this bugger! I used the shortcuts, but dammit, it still counts.

What is nice about the shortcuts is that I was able to get good at the ice levels, even just starting there. Most of the time, it just requires patience and being extra cautious.

I actually thought the final four levels were the easiest of the game! I don't want to spoil anything for those who want to figure it out on your own, so, details in spoiler.
There is always a mummy on those last levels. If you bomb him, or am able to bounce repeatedly on his head, the weapon you get, the staff, makes all the enemies you encounter from then on trivial and easy.

axion

02-14-2009, 09:47 AM

LongStepMantis

02-14-2009, 01:24 PM

It's not a real victory unless you go from start to finish :p. Congrats though, I honestly found it easier to start from the beginning because then you have all items and stuff built up from the first couple areas.

Unfortunately it also sucks that much more when you get killed by an insta-death trap after trudging through a dozen levels, loaded up with all kinds of fancy gear. Or maybe that's just me. :D

Last night I had a shotgun, spring shoes, in the teens of both rope and bombs, sticky bombs, and I think a compass. I landed too close to a yeti and he threw me into a pit. I hate the damn ice levels with a passion. The layout is retarded if you don't have a jetpack and accidentally touching the ufos just outright kills you. Plus I never seem to get a jetpack. I think I've had one two times total and I have over 170 attempts.

Food Nipple

02-14-2009, 02:22 PM

Unfortunately it also sucks that much more when you get killed by an insta-death trap after trudging through a dozen levels, loaded up with all kinds of fancy gear. Or maybe that's just me. :D

Last night I had a shotgun, spring shoes, in the teens of both rope and bombs, sticky bombs, and I think a compass. I landed too close to a yeti and he threw me into a pit. I hate the damn ice levels with a passion. The layout is retarded if you don't have a jetpack and accidentally touching the ufos just outright kills you. Plus I never seem to get a jetpack. I think I've had one two times total and I have over 170 attempts.

A cape isn't quite as good as a jetpack, but it does make the ice levels much more manageable, and if you've got both climbing gloves and a cape you're at 90% of the mobility a jetpack grants. I'd say the biggest key to success is reaching the Black Market, if you're able to make it there, you should be able to outfit yourself as needed for the ensuing levels.

LongStepMantis

02-14-2009, 03:55 PM

A cape isn't quite as good as a jetpack, but it does make the ice levels much more manageable, and if you've got both climbing gloves and a cape you're at 90% of the mobility a jetpack grants. I'd say the biggest key to success is reaching the Black Market, if you're able to make it there, you should be able to outfit yourself as needed for the ensuing levels.

I know what the Black Market is, but I've never seen it. Of the few times I've gotten the Eye of Udjat, I've never had it reveal the location of the market to me.

I also really wish the ghost timer was longer. I often have to rush to the end of the level because I'll be exploring and "A chill runs up your spine" starts and I just madly book for the exit. And maybe I'm just unlucky again, because on average if i go through say, 12 levels...I'll see 1-2 shops total. I have a really hard time with the later levels because I seriously just don't find much equipment. There have been multiple times where I've reached the Alien boss and not had a single piece of equipment. Just mad bombs. 95% of the chests I open give me bombs. Last run I had 3 ropes, no equipment, and 24 bombs.

Ink Asylum

02-17-2009, 10:37 AM

Alkanos

02-17-2009, 04:49 PM

The Eye will blink and make a beeping sound on the Jungle level where the Black Market entrance can be found. Once you notice it blinking you'll have to play hot/cold to figure out the exact location. Explore the level and note when the blinking and beeping increases in tempo. When you have gotten to a spot where it is going as fast as you can get it, start bombing the ground.So that's what it meant when that happens! I wondered, but always forgot to look it up when I was finished playing. I'll have to remember that!

And I finally got the shortcut made for lvl 9. Once again, I barely could make it past the first level. Well there was that one time where I went on a shotgun rampage... :D Made it to the next stage (temple i guess?) thanks to my friendly shotgun and a gift found in the alien's lair.

LongStepMantis

02-17-2009, 05:33 PM

The Eye will blink and make a beeping sound on the Jungle level where the Black Market entrance can be found. Once you notice it blinking you'll have to play hot/cold to figure out the exact location. Explore the level and note when the blinking and beeping increases in tempo. When you have gotten to a spot where it is going as fast as you can get it, start bombing the ground.

Damn my timing. The last time I played I had the eye and it started winking at me and making weird noises when I was in the jungle. I had no clue what it was trying to tell me. I thought it might have been about the black market, evidently rightly so. I just assumed that the eye made the door visible. Guess not.

I finally made it to the temple stages, killed a mummy and stole his scepter.
The scepter is awesome, unless there are a lot of enemies coming at once...then you just have to hope it targets the ones you want it to...it didn't. It shot the guys on the floor above me and let the ones coming right at me by without a scratch. I died shortly after.

I will master this game eventually, dammit. :D

Lekon

06-20-2009, 09:07 PM

Neeeeew Version up! (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=4017.0)

Finally up to 99.9, he says that 1.0 is going to come once he gets feedback on this. once 1.0 is released, it will be all opened up, source wise. Here's to hoping it gets done soon!

Shrinn

06-20-2009, 09:30 PM

Downloaded. I never managed to get through it before. Maybe I'll muster up the resolve and finish this game sometime with this fresh download.

Superman's Dead

06-20-2009, 09:53 PM

Trees can be climbed!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Straight Ballin.

Food Nipple

06-21-2009, 12:19 AM

Derek Yu intentionally leaves a lot of secrets out of the changelog. I found an awesome new item, and I think there's something new in the City of Gold. Unfortunately, I died to spikes before I could fiddle with it, I had 35 bombs too!

It also seems like there were some tweaks to the level generation, it felt like the first set of levels were less open than they used to be. I had to use a couple of bombs to get to maidens, etc. Maybe this goes hand in hand with the lower shop prices, as I can now afford to buy more bombs.

boratika

06-21-2009, 02:54 AM

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/boratika/79.png (http://www.eegra.com/show/sub/do/browse/cat/comics/id/79)

Neeeeew Version up! (http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=4017.0)

Finally up to 99.9, he says that 1.0 is going to come once he gets feedback on this. once 1.0 is released, it will be all opened up, source wise. Here's to hoping it gets done soon!

My feeling towards this news [posibly NSFW]:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/boratika/sandwich.gif (http://www.derekyu.com/?page_id=244)

Ravenlock

06-21-2009, 09:20 AM

That is great. :D

Wasson_

06-21-2009, 06:12 PM

yeah, improvements all around. :)

LongStepMantis

06-21-2009, 07:44 PM

Holy shit. The new low prices of items make it far less of a chore. Box of 12 bombs for $1200, Pistol for $5000. Makes it easier for each play to stand a chance of finishing, as opposed to getting really lucky a few times in one game and then trying like hell not to die. Also a huge fan of climbable trees.

If anyone out there still hasn't played this yet, now is the time you have been waiting for. :D

Also, that comic is fucking gold.