Spiderheck is a title that instantly caught my attention when I first set eyes on it during many indie showcases earlier in the year. Developed by Neverjam and published by tinyBuild, the game is now available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. For those with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, you’re in luck as the game was introduced to the catalogue of games on its launch. Now I’m no fan of the eight-legged freaks that patrol through our houses when you least expect them, but I immediately became a fan of this unique concept that tries something a little different. The game is also available on Windows PC, Playstation 4|5 and Nintendo Switch and if you’re on the move you can play this using the cloud if you’re using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Introduction

Spiderheck has a very unique look, feel and premise to it and its quotation “Spiders with laser swords” intrigued me to the point I just had to give it a go. Play with friends or solo as you go head-to-head with other neon-infused arachnids fuelling intense competitive brawls across brightly designed playgrounds. It really is something you have to get hands-on with to realise why this little gem is so fun, web-slinging your way around arenas whilst waving giant light sabres and blasting shotguns is not only exciting, but also stupendously addictive.

There are various modes available including plenty of co-op opportunities for those who love gaming with friends and family from the comfort of your sofa. Choose from PvE or PvP locally or online for endless amounts of hours. What I enjoyed most about this one was trying to master the controls which is an addiction in itself, the fluidity and solid mechanics are what hold together a very memorable experience here.

Gameplay & Modes

What I loved about my first time playing Spiderheck was that you had to navigate the menus with your spider to choose an option. It is immersive from the word go and here you’ll have a range of options to choose from. There are a plethora of arenas to play across, some that are simplistic in appearance and others with various obstacles to think about and negotiate. If you are looking for something that is just a straight-up deathmatch type scenario, then you’ll want to opt for versus mode where four of you can battle it out to be the number one arachnid.

The control system is easy to get used to but difficult to master. You can cast a web to surfaces using the right trigger and using the analogue sticks to traverse across the map. Weapons are scattered across the arenas and are easily obtainable. The tricky part is manoeuvring around and engaging in combat simultaneously whilst trying to avoid deadly obstacles and potentially falling into a pit of certain death. Aside from versus mode you have wave-based modes that you can play alone or with friends to survive whatever the game decides to throw your way. For a real challenge though, Tiers Of Heck is for those who are determined to be the very best with extremely difficult and challenging situations to complete, there are around 27 to work through and I am yet to be good enough to finish them all.

Graphics & Audio

Whilst the backgrounds in Spiderheck are pretty basic with their appearance, it is the effects of combat that stand out in terms of its visuals. With the controls being so incredibly smooth, it is a joy to see brightly coloured spiders crawling and swinging around on the screen. The way they have been designed and animated makes them look almost real and the weapons they wield light up the arena with vibrant neon colours. Weapons are equally as fun to use as swinging around on a web and trying to time attacks is extremely satisfying when they come off, even when they don’t near misses are just as joyous.

Sound effects are extremely punchy and are for sure best experienced on a decent headset. Each blast of the shotgun or swipe of a sabre feels like it is done with purpose and with destruction. There is nothing the development team gets wrong across the entire package if I’m honest.

In Conclusion

Spiderheck joins the meaty list of indie highlights of 2022 for me. Whilst the visuals may look fairly basic, the cascade of carnage from the neon lighting from laser guns, light sabres and explosions compliment an enthralling and compelling gameplay loop. Despite myself and my four-year-old son being absolutely petrified of spiders in real life, we had a blast playing this together for hours. Hearing his chuckles as he was swinging around trying to attack me as I pretended to run away is what gaming is all about sometimes. Giving me that connection with family members and then polishing up my skills in my own downtime gives this game fantastic longevity and replayability.

One Of the Best Of 2022!

The development team has absolutely nailed a unique premise with solid control mechanics that feel very natural to use and genuinely fun to mess around with. Web-slinging around the maps gave me the feel I’ve only ever felt in the triple-A Spiderman games before. The game has enough variance in its gameplay loop, range of weapons and customisation options to always keep it entertaining for as long as you want to stay invested. Spiderheck is absolutely worth the price they are asking of it, but lucky Xbox gamers do have an opportunity to dive in with Xbox Game Pass and spin its web for one of the best indie experiences of 2022.