Today’s review is one of an endless runner platformer game, with a single-button input for controls. It is called Spunk and Moxie and is made by Tilt Studios and Chocolate Homunculus, and was published by Black Shell Media onto Steam.

The object of the game is to get your chosen little slime blob (Spunk the green blob or Moxie the pink one) through the levels which are set across a number of different locations, getting past obstacles either by jumping over them or breaking through them.

The game contains three different locations and has ten levels set within each location. You first enter the Warehouse, before proceeding to the Factory and finally the Laboratory in your quest to lead your blob to freedom outside. 30 levels for a game doesn’t sound like a lot, even for such a small cheap game – but endless runners are something that require split second timing to get down right. With a time limit to complete each level, you need to be good with your timing. At first you have plenty of margin for error, but later levels add hazards that don’t kill you but instead deplete your ‘Spunk Meter’ which is the time limit you have.

Travel is done through using the single button input to jump and bounce between walls as you enter from one pipe and exit through another. Along the way you will encounter various pickups and powerups. The Powerups come in three flavours; one that allows you to break through weak areas, one that lets you dash and one that will allow for temporary flight. The main pickup in game though is the blue glowing crystals that are scattered around the levels. You will also find one colourful crystal per level that can be pick up multiple times for more points if you’re fast enough. These crystals function as currency in the Shop which lets you buy powerups to take into levels they don’t exist in, including one which refills some of your Spunk Meter. There are also keys to be found that will allow for the unlocking of other playable characters with some familiar faces from other indie games making appearances.

There’s also a competitive element with leaderboards being shared through the community, and you are able to race other player’s ghosts as well as your own. You can also earn medals in each level by completing certain tasks, such as picking up all the available crystals, finding the key, completing it on Hard Mode etc.

As a game I find it very nice to look at, and the music is quite nice to listen to. At least at first, it becomes more wearing the longer you play the game as it does repeat. The single control is very responsive which is a plus for this genre certainly. The levels also scale fairly well.

However, this game is what it is. Simple. A strength yes, but also a big downside. There really is not a lot more to the game than – enter, jump, bounce, find a route, exit, repeat for medals. It is an endless runner game and really, I’m not sure how much differently it does to other small indies of this genre.

The other issue I have with it is simply that it is not my type of game. I am not great at split second timing and missing a jump and entering a pit sets you way back at the start. Which is irritating and can make your timing that much worse as a result. If you don’t like endless runner games, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Overall, Spunk and Moxie is a well-made and fun little game. It just doesn’t have a wide appeal and probably won’t keep your attention for too long unless you really enjoy this sort of a challenge.

6/10