As a game, the new Spelunky is one which can be described as frustrating (the good kind of frustrating), with random challenges which puts gamers’ instincts to the test.

Originally released for PC systems in 2008, a retake of the game had recently been released with a version for the Xbox Live Arcade, and so far, the title has given the adventure game genre a boost.

Essentially, Spelunky sports a side-scrolling adventure game platform, with hints and tones reminiscent of the game Spelunker developed by Broderbund.

The thing with Spelunky is that its difficulty levels are random in their hierarchy or queue, with no option for “continues”. True gamers will find this aspect to be truly challenging, testing their mettles and skills as serious gamers.

Given the game’s side-scrolling platform, Spelunky sports a Castlevania-like feel, particularly with the main character’s whip as primary weapon. With options of add-on weapons like bombs and cliff scaling tools like ropes, the game also highlights health bonuses and other mainstay highlights in adventure side-scrolling game titles.

One thing which players have to watch out for in Spelunky is its in-game “environment”, which can be misleading. A number of fixtures could be utilized as weapons, as a number of non-threatening structures, like rock ruins or somesuch, could prove to be disastrous for players.

Bottom line, Spelunky’s in-game environment features elements which could either work for players or cause them to fail.

Simple in its game premise and proactive in its graphical elements, Spelunky may be a “simple” side-scrolling game title, but as one, it proves to be incredibly challenging, worthy to be something a pro gamer would want to win over.