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1,001 Spikes taking a stab at Xbox One players on June 10
The brutal temple explorer, Aban Hawkins and the 1,001 Spikes, apparently hasn't claimed enough lives as it is, because it's setting its sights on a fresh field of meat hiding behind Xbox controllers. The death-filled platformer will deploy its traps on the Xbox One user base on June 10, whom we can only hope enjoy getting squished by falling stones, stung into their graves by scorpions, burnt to a crisp by lava or tenderized by an abundance of spikes. 1,001 Spikes started cutting adventures short last week on PS4, Vita, Steam, 3DS and Wii U. Our own Sam Prell became much more porous in his attempt to persevere through 1,001 Spikes' hazardous pathways, explaining that the option to skip levels feels like "cutting its legs out from under itself" in its deflation of a sense of accomplishment. [Image: Nicalis]
1,001 Spikes review: Temple of doom
Aban Hawkins and the 1,001 Spikes from Nicalis is the latest specimen of a breed resurgent in the 21st century: the ultra-difficult 2D platformer. It is a game that is hard for the sake of being hard, and it wears this label proudly. It absolutely does not care if you can't keep up, how many times you die, how frustrated you get. Unfortunately, difficulty alone does not a great experience make, even in such a brutal subgenre. There has to be a sense of gratification, of progress and reward; a dash of masochism to even out its sadistic torture of players. But 1,001 Spikes lacks self-awareness, and feels bogged down by unnecessary design.
Vita, 3DS versions of 1,001 Spikes won't have multiplayer
Just because you'll have 1,001 lives to clear the less-than-OSHA-complient pathways in 1,001 Spikes doesn't mean you'll eventually get through them. Teaming up with friends would certainly help diversify your survival odds, or at least supply emotional support as you're torn apart by ancient deathtraps, but that social safety net won't be strung for Vita and 3DS players. A recent tweet from developer Nicalis states that 1,001 Spikes "will not have multiplayer" on either handheld. If you're still planning on braving the journey on the 3DS or Wii U, know that the first few days of your treasure hunt might be a little buggy. Still, Nintendo has assured Nicalis that a patch could be issued "within a couple days of release" to fix any issues that arise with the experience. [Image: Nicalis]
1,001 Spikes also coming to 3DS, Wii U on June 3 - with a catch
Earlier this week, we learned that the ultra, super, majorly difficult platformer Aban Hawkins and the 1,001 Spikes - abbreviated to just 1,001 Spikes if you're feeling saucy - will be coming to PS4, PS Vita and Steam on June 3. Yesterday, a Nicalis representative sent Joystiq an addendum to that announcement: 1,001 Spikes will also be launching on the Wii U and 3DS on June 3. Hold your cheers of joy though, because there's a catch. Apparently, the publisher discovered some last-minute issues with the Wii U and 3DS versions of the game, and were forced to choose between delaying the game or sending it out, bugs and all. Interestingly, they opted for the latter. "Our fans want to play the game and we don't plan to leave our Nintendo fans behind on a game they've been patiently waiting for," the representative informed Joystiq. While a buggy game is never pleasant to experience, there is some good news for potential buyers. A special promotion will grant customers who already own a Nicalis game (VVVVVV, NightSky, Cave Story, Ikachan or Grinsia) on their 3DS a discount for 1,001 Spikes. These customers can purchase the 3DS version for $9.99 - 33 percent off the usual price of $14.99. And as for those bugs: "Nintendo has assured us that an update could be issued within a couple of days of release to knock out those bugs," the Nicalis rep said. Hopefully doing so will be easier than navigating the game's insane levels. [Image: Nicalis]
Ultra-hard platformer 1,001 Spikes launching on Steam, PSN June 3
Developer 8Bits Fanatics' hyper-difficult 2D platformer 1,001 Spikes will launch next week for the PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, and PC platforms via Steam, publisher Nicalis announced today. Originally released for the Xbox Live Indie Games service in 2011, 1,001 Spikes has since been upgraded with new levels, a host of new playable characters, and many, many more ways to die. Gameplay in 1,001 Spikes challenges players to avoid an endless array of instant-death traps and other environment-shifting hazards in single-player and co-op multiplayer modes. 1,001 Spikes will be priced at $14.99 when it hits Steam and the PlayStation Network on June 3. The PSN version is available as a Cross-Buy release, and Steam players who own copies of either Cave Story or Night Sky will receive a $5 discount. Ports for Wii U, 3DS, and the Xbox One are also in the works. [Image: Nicalis]
1,001 Spikes nabs characters from Bit.Trip, Cave Story, and more
Nicalis showcases several recent additions to its remade, tough-as-nails platformer 1,001 Spikes in the trailer above, giving an early look at the game's expanded character roster. Newly playable in the enhanced version of Aban Hawkins and the 1,000 Spikes are Cave Story's Curly Brace, Commander Video from the Bit.Trip series, Nyx from Nyx Quest, Knytt Stories' Juni, and a trio of characters from fellow Xbox Live Indie Games platformer The Tempura of the Dead. 1,001 Spikes will launch this summer for the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, and PC platforms. [Video: Nicalis]
1,001 Spikes to feature characters inspired by Castlevania, Super Mario
When a group of friends accumulate deaths and treasure while traversing the trap-filled screens of 1,001 Spikes, they may channel some classic protagonists. NintendoWorldReport recently described a few of 1,001 Spikes' multiplayer elements, like 4-player co-op in the main game, a king-of-the-hill style battle for a money-spewing jar, and the vertically-oriented Tower of Nanner that limits each player to nine lives. Aside from teamwork and brutal competition, 1,001 Spikes' roster of characters will also host throwbacks to classic games. For instance, NWR describes a plumber-esque Mr. Video Game character that can hurl fireballs, as well as a knight that's disrobed during his death, a nod to Sir Arthur from the Ghosts n Goblins series. NWR notes another, ninja-like character that bares resemblance to the Ninja Gaiden series' Ryu Hayabusa, with a whip-wielding hero serving as a nod to Castlevania's Belmont family. Even CommanderVideo from the Bit.Trip Runner series has signed up for 1,001 Spikes' death-ridden landscape. 1,001 Spikes is a remake of Aban Hawkins and the 1,000 Spikes, previously available via Xbox Live Indie Games. 1,001 Spikes is planned to launch on the 3DS and Wii U in Q1 of 2014, with releases also planned for the PS4, Vita, PC, Mac and Linux. [Image: Nicalis]
Nintendo platforms sizzle with upcoming indie games
A ton of indie games are coming to Wii U and 3DS, so many that Nintendo's own Reggie Fils-Aime couldn't name them all in today's 3DS-focused Nintendo Direct. Good thing there's a video featuring much of what's to come.
Nicalis remaking 1,000 Spikes for Wii U and 3DS eShop
One of our favorite Xbox Live Indie games is headed to the 3DS and the Wii U. More specifically, Nicalis will be bringing a remake of the ridiculously punishing Aban Hawkins & the 1,000 Spikes in time for the Wii U launch, reports RevoGamers. Cheekily titled Aban Hawkins & the 1,001 Spikes, the game will feature a new 4-player multiplayer, new graphics and sound.The original was a lot of fun, and the quick, brutal platforming action should certainly be right at home on the 3DS. Aban Hawkins & the 1,001 Spikes is scheduled to arrive on the eShop this year.
