Super Meat Boy is the digital embodiment of the idea that pleasure can be generated by pain. But despite a certain pessimism, the game is gripping and long-lasting. Once you’ve conquered a particularly unpleasant level, there’s an incredible sense of satisfaction, making the challenges on the way to achieving a lofty goal become nothing more than mere tasks required to be completed correctly.
ContThe controls in Super Meat Boy
Everything in Super Meat Boy begins with the controls. Within seconds of diving into the first couple of levels of this intimidating adventure, it’s clear that the on-screen movements are surprisingly responsive. The protagonist jumps with such precision that full control of his actions is always assured. Jumping off the wall is particularly impressive. The character’s extreme dexterity makes it easy to jump straight up one structure, bounce smoothly between two adjacent ones and even distort the trajectory in the air to avoid obstacles during the ascent.
Super-precise control is needed to overcome the deadly dangers that lie in wait. Although the game starts off innocently enough, it can still be classed as one of the most challenging. As the player gets used to the mechanics, the degree of difficulty gradually increases. Thus, by accumulating the skills needed to tackle everything, the subsequent challenges, despite the need for maximum effort, will still provide the enjoyment that every gamer strives for.
Game Design
The level design in Super Meat Boy is awesome. There are easy tricks as well as lava pits and shooting blades. That said, they are arranged so intelligently that the game is extremely challenging. A fine balance is demonstrated here, ensuring that the skills are taken to their desired limits.
One of the most impressive aspects of Super Meat Boy is the learning and adaptation as you go. When first entering a level, a jump may be offered that seems impossible. The player may try and fail several times, maybe even a few dozen times, with no idea what to do. But once the time for success is determined, even the most difficult moves can be performed with a good degree of consistency. Being able to complete levels that previously seemed impossible is an exhilarating feeling, and the ease with which the player becomes a pro is a testament to how precise the controls are and how well thought out the levels are.
Game mechanics in Super Meat Boy
The basic mechanics and level design in the game are excellent, and the wealth of content ensures that you can play it for quite some time. There are over 300 levels in total, most of which are optional and many of which are hidden. To get to the end, you have to complete all of the easy world levels, which include traditional platforming challenges and some clever boss battles. There’s as much time as it takes to complete each level, but if the player reaches the end under a certain mark, a darker version of the same level will unlock.