Official Score
Overall - 70%
70%
Temple of Spikes’ bite-sized format makes it easy to pick up and play. It’s slippery controls take some getting used to, but it’s challenge will draw in tomb raiders from all walks of life.
Tomb raiding goes 2D in Tigrido’s new platformer Temple of Spikes. Coins, scarabs, and a gaggle of unlockable characters await, but does this archaeologist give Lara Croft a run for her money?
Temple of Spikes Review
It is worth noting that Temple of Spikes was originally designed for mobile platforms, which is apparent in its design. Players take control of an archaeologist on the hunt for treasure. The catch? Each tomb is loaded with spikes, traps, bosses, and other hazards set to turn you into a ghostly apparition.
It’s a simple formula, but each of the 30 levels is playable in bite-sized chunks. Even the most difficult tomb can be completed in less than 10 minutes, and the save spots that can be purchased with in-game coins at the beginning of each section mean that you can stop when the going gets tough.
And tough it will get. Temple of Spikes prides itself on its mercilessness. Though your default hero packs a wall jump and can unlock the power to slow and rewind time and use Thor’s Hammer, platforming prowess is an absolute must throughout the game. Though we used a controller for our review, we found that the controls were not quite as precise as we would have liked, coming off as a little slippery. There are many sections where blocks fly from one side of the room to the other, requiring players to carefully navigate through sections. Though there is the ability to automatically rewind time if all hearts are gone, we felt like slightly tighter controls would have gone a long way.
There are some ways to make the game easier though. By using in-game coins and/or some of the hidden scarabs tucked away in each level, players can unlock a motley crew of folks that they can swap their avatar with. Prisoners, pharaohs, and more round out the roster, packing such abilities as a triple jump and reduced gauge use. Experimentation is key, and though the game does not deliver more than 50 hours of content like its advertising states, there is the chance to play things in a slightly different way with the diverse roster.
Of course, each tomb throws in a different trick or trap. Some may have bouncy platforms, while others may set the player on fire. It adds some variety to the game, and though it is never easy, it is mostly fair. Outside of the main game, players can experience an Endless Mode with the character of their choice. However, the entirety of the game can be completed in a few hours.
Temple of Spikes’ bite-sized format makes it easy to pick up and play. It’s slippery controls take some getting used to, but it’s challenge will draw in tomb raiders from all walks of life.
