S.P.E.A.R Review

In an era where the indie scene remains the true frontier of innovation. Enter S.P.E.A.R. which is a 2.5D action-platformer developed by Andrea Cavuoto and published by Polyhedric Studio. Released on Xbox Series X|S in early this year it isn’t just another platformer it’s a meta-narrative adventure that turns the concept of “game-breaking bugs” into its primary mechanic and breaks the fourth wall and is humorous throughout.

If you’ve ever been frustrated by a game being a little wonky, S.P.E.A.R is your chance for revenge. You play as a background NPC who has seen his hero wiped out by a fatal error. Armed with nothing but a broom handle and a discarded mouse cursor, you must save the digital world before the developers return from their lunch break and hit the delete key and wipe the game from existence.

The premise of S.P.E.A.R. is its strongest characteristic. Usually, glitches are a player’s worst nightmare and cause headache and frustration. Here, they are the terrain. The game world is collapsing in real time, filled with corrupted code, flying “glitch-squids”, and NPCs who are understandably having a mid-life crisis now that their quests are broken and they can’t escape.

The writing is sharp and quintessentially British in its dry wit and humour. You are truly the ultimate underdog playing as a character who was never meant to be the star, forced to navigate a world that is literally falling apart. The dialogue with other NPCs provides a satirical look at game development tropes, making it a joy to explore every nook and cranny of its “inside-the-code” setting finding secrets and solving quests in different areas.

At its core, *S.P.E.A.R.* is a technical platformer. While it starts simply, the depth of the “Spear” mechanic is staggering. Your weapon isn’t just for poking enemies it’s your primary mode of traversal and puzzle-solving. Equipped with skills sets such as using your spear to create platforms, slow motion to allow trick shots to hit switches and moving platforms. Also as you progress you can collect ‘Pieces of Code’ which is the currency in game that you can spend to unlock abilities that allow you to teleport, glide and uncover secret areas.

The controls on the feel incredibly responsive, there is a weight to the movement that rewards mastery. However, it’s worth noting that the game employs “full world physics.” This means platforms might bob or tilt based on your momentum. While this adds a layer of realism, it can occasionally lead to those “how did I miss that?” moments that will test your patience especially in the secret areas that require a bit more patience and precision.

Visually, S.P.E.A.R. is very good, it uses a 2.5D aesthetic meaning 2D gameplay on 3D backgrounds that allows for some truly creative level design and fun interactions with the world. The “corrupted” levels are a highlight; pixels bleed into the background, and environments shift and morph as the “Fatal Error” takes hold.

The performance is rock solid. We experienced a consistent 60fps, which is vital for a game that demands precision. The loading times are virtually non existent, which is a godsend because make no mistake you will die a fair amount. Thankfully, the checkpoints are generous, keeping the flow of the game “in the zone” rather than in the bin. (Thank you devs!)

The amount of content is impressive. Between levels there is a 3D overworld that feels similar to New Super Mario Bros allowing you to explore a little bit and collect currency and secrets. As well as plenty collectibles in each level, Finding ‘Functions’ are essential to unlocking challenges and hidden pathways. Also for the fashionistas you can spell well earned code on cosmetics with plenty to choose from and fool around with.

This is a rare gem that manages to be both a challenging skill-based game and a thoughtful commentary on the medium itself. It doesn’t hold your hand, and the physics based platforming might feel a bit “fiddly” to those used to the rigid precision of certain games in this genre. However if you appreciate Indie, games that take risks and want to know what it would be like to be a NPC instead of a hero look no further!