Super Meat Boy: A Cartoony Platformer Full of Death – Weekly Indie Spotlight

Since Super Meat Boy 3D was just announced at Summer Game Fest, now seems like a good time to reflect on the original game. What was it about getting a little hunk of meat through endless death traps that appealed to so many gamers? What caused Super Meat Boy to be among the first indie games to gain mainstream success?

The Legacy of Super Meat Boy

Developed by Team Meat, Super Meat Boy tells a simple story: Meat Boy’s girlfriend, Bandage Girl, has been kidnapped by the evil Dr. Fetus, and Meat Boy must rescue her. It’s as straightforward as the old Mario games in terms of plot, but like the old Mario games, the focus is on the journey. Meat Boy runs, jumps, slides, and wall jumps through a labyrinth of blades, spikes, meat grinders, and other obstacles to rescue his dear Bandage Girl.

Addictive Difficulty

If you know one thing about this game, it’s that the difficulty is ridiculously high. You will die, and die, and die. However, the game also gives you unlimited lives, meaning that you can try again as many times as it takes to beat a level. Sometimes you might have to rush through the obstacles, while other times you might have to plan your route as you go. As you keep trying, you can see yourself getting better, making completing a level a truly satisfying experience.

Humor to Go with Death

The game is fully aware of how impossibly difficult it is, and it uses the difficulty to add to the presentation. Wherever Meat Boy goes, he spreads his meat juice around, and as you try levels over and over, the red juice gets everywhere, resembling streaks of blood. When you finally complete a level, you’re rewarded with a replay of your many attempts, with many Meat Boys clawing their way through the level at once and meeting their demises. As an added bonus, you can save the replays to enjoy whenever you want.

Conclusion

If you enjoy difficult platformers but haven’t experienced Super Meat Boy, then go buy it on Steam for $14.99. It’s the perfect way to gear yourself up for Super Meat Boy 3D. Even if difficult platformers aren’t normally your cup of tea, the experience is still worth checking out. You might find yourself losing a few hours as you try one more time.