SpeedBeatz
Member
Developer / Publisher: Tozai Games / Square Enix
Genre: Precise Punishing Platformer
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (digital, physical for Japan only) / Steam (PC)
Release Date: October 19, 2017 (WW) / April 20th, 2017 (Japan)
Price: $29.99 US digital (available in other regions/languages as well) / ¥5378 Japanese physical (approx. $50USD)
Demo and game out on various eShops now!
Official site | Trailer
Nintendo Store page | Steam Store page
Buy physical (Japanese only): Amazon.co.jp
FAQ:
Q: What is this?
A: Spelunker Party! is a revamped rerelease of the F2P PS4 game Spelunker World, which itself was a sequel to Spelunker HD on the PS3. It's also the first Spelunker game to get a physical release (Japan-only, unfortunately) in almost 30 years, the previous being Spelunker 2 on the Famicom.
Q: F2P? There better not be microtransactions in this.
A: Fear not! All F2P/microtransaction elements have been removed in the Switch rerelease, and the game has been revamped to fit the new format.
Q: How long is the game/how much content is there?
A: There are over 100 stages (the main 100 stages from the PS4 version, plus a number of extra levels), but certain items from later stages will be needed to get items in earlier stages, so there's a certain amount of replay value in that. There are also Quests (in-game achievements, basically) as well as a Doggie Digging mode (use gold to buy your dog candy and then he'll dig up an item for you), and time attack leaderboards on each stage for further enjoyment.
Q: Why do I keep dying? Who puts fall damage in a platformer? Why is this spelunker guy so weak?
A: That's just how Spelunker is. You'll get used to it. This game also has equipment that can protect you from certain hazards (though falling is not one of them).
Q: Multiplayer?
A: Yep! Up to four people for local or online multiplayer! (Cross-play support currently unknown.)
Q: Does the Japanese physical release switch to English on a US system?
A: Unfortunately, no.
Q: Wait, is this some kinda Spelunky ripoff?
A: No.
Tips, tactics, and translations:
UI translation roundup: check out this Imgur album from PandarenNinja on Reddit for a full English rundown of all the menus and UI items in the game.
Items/Abilities/Mechanics Walkthrough: This video from me gives a quick but thorough overview of the equipment system and ability mechanics, as well as some other helpful information.
Walkthrough Video Pt.2: covers Doggie Digging and Quests
Quest & Item List: This is a Google doc listing all the quests, items (equipment names and ability effects, as well as where you can find the pieces of each item) in English and Japanese. Complete!
Let's start on another adventure!!
(Note: this is my first OT; I feel like I was pretty thorough, but let me know if I missed anything or made any mistakes!)