True beginner ------------------>

[russcm2]

I was linked to the game from a buddy, and I read a few reviews saying how awesome it was.  I myself though, am not seeing the true amazingness that others see.  Possibly because I don't really understand the flow and concept of the game.  I have a few questions:
1. Is there a real guide to getting started besides the Tutorial level?  Something that explains the mechanics in more detail.
2. Do I start the game over every time I die?  It seems the levels are randomly generated, but how does someone progress through the entire game?
3. How many levels are there?

Also.. please let me know any other tips and pointers you can think of.  I think this game has potential.. I'm just losing interest quickly doing the same first couple levels over and over.

[Arucard]

-The tutorial is the best thing to teach you the general controls, other than that a lot of it is learning as you go.

-Yes, you restart every death. Yes, you will die a lot, take a look at some of the numbers here and you'll see even the best players around (maybe especially the best players) have many, many deaths. However, you will get a chance to skip levels later in the game.

-4 areas, with 4 levels each= 16 total. I believe the final level comes after this, though not positive.

check the wiki survival guide here http://spelunky.wikia.com/wiki/Spelunky_Survivor%27s_Guide

It gives a good set of pointers for starting out, without any spoilers. Best advice I can give is play the game, before long you'll get the hang of how to play.
Good Luck! 

[Delmion]

Well, yes, I think you are missing something of the point.  You say you're "losing interest quickly doing the same first couple levels over and over," but you also recognize that the levels are randomly generated.  That, plus the extreme ease with which you can restart after dying, is the point.  This game is a brutal maze-exploration and loot-collecting extravaganza, where you never know what challenge you're going to have to overcome next.

In fact, I think this addresses your concern about wanting more explanation for the mechanics.  The Tutorial tells you everything that you need.  I'm guessing that you feel this isn't enough because you found something in the cave you didn't understand, which killed you.  Well, overcoming the unknown is essential to the gameplay.  Now you know how to handle whatever you didn't know before, right?  Now do that for level after level . . . until your other questions are answered.

Enjoy!  Or get bored and give up, but that's no fun.

--Delmion

[Delmion]

Hmm, you replied first, Arucard.  Reading your post, I must warn that the wiki does, in fact, spoil plenty--as wikis for games and such tend to do, in order to be thorough.

--Delmion

[Anifanatic]

The first thing is to approach the game in the right light, perspective makes a big difference. It would be the same as going to watch an action movie, but only to find out it was a comedy. You may be ok with a comedy, but if you weren't expecting it, and not looking for it, you might get disappointed and dislike that movie.

Spelunky is a game where you will die, a lot. It's going to have randomly generated dungeons. It's not about memorizing levels and knowing where the secrets are, it's about getting your skill up and knowing how everything works, how your character moves and acts. The game is dangerous, the game is hard, the game is unforgiving.

If you go in playing the game seeing it as that, knowing what to prepare for, you might like it a bit more. Or maybe not, because this might no appeal to you at all, but it's better than going in expecting a pick up and play platforming game.

[russcm2]

Thanks for the information and tips.  If at least some of this was explained prior to playing the game.. it would have been very useful knowledge =)  Maybe an optional 'more information' cave or something would be a good idea for the creator.  I'm guessing there are a lot of people like me who have heard zero about the game but played it, didn't understand the concept and idea of the game, and quit after 30-45 minutes.  I was on the border of doing that last night, but decided to write a quick post and see what response I get.  I will definitely be doing some more spelunking tonight =)

ps. great community so far

[fsk]

Here's a good beginner tip.  Try to open every crate.  You can get junk (parachute), but you can also get some really nice items.  It's worth using a bomb or rope or two to open a crate.

If you play enough games and open enough crates, then eventually you'll find an early shotgun or jetpack.  Then, you'll die a stupid death.

[AresRomanGod]

Here's a good beginner tip.  Try to open every crate.  You can get junk (parachute), but you can also get some really nice items.  It's worth using a bomb or rope or two to open a crate.

If you play enough games and open enough crates, then eventually you'll find an early shotgun or jetpack.  Then, you'll die a stupid death.

The term for this method is what I call "Scumming."

[fsk]

Playing lots of games isn't immoral.  Opening every crate is a good idea.  Most of the time, you spend 1 bomb to get to the crate and get 3 more bombs.

Sometimes, you get lucky.  Other games, you work on other techniques.

I see how the first level or two goes and decide what to do.

Lousy start?  I'll practice my shop robbing.

Got 3 damsels on the first 3 levels?  Go for 8 damsel saves.

Got a lot of money and the udjat eye?  Try to get to the city of gold.

[fsk]

Here's another indication you're no longer a beginner.

When you see a giant spider, do you think "Oh no!  A giant spider!"  Or, do you think "Woohoo!  Free sticky bombs!"  (There's a low-risk way to kill giant spiders.)

[AresRomanGod]

Playing lots of games isn't immoral.  Opening every crate is a good idea.  Most of the time, you spend 1 bomb to get to the crate and get 3 more bombs.

Sometimes, you get lucky.  Other games, you work on other techniques.

I see how the first level or two goes and decide what to do.

Lousy start?  I'll practice my shop robbing.

Got 3 damsels on the first 3 levels?  Go for 8 damsel saves.

Got a lot of money and the udjat eye?  Try to get to the city of gold.

Scumming is considered a positive strategy. This is basically what it is.

[Arucard]

Hmm, you replied first, Arucard.  Reading your post, I must warn that the wiki does, in fact, spoil plenty--as wikis for games and such tend to do, in order to be thorough.

--Delmion

True, but the survival guide part I linked to is a very low-spoiler area. You would have to follow links from there to really spoil much. Either way, I think we all agree simply playing the game for a while is the best way to go.

[Kegluneq]

Hmm, you replied first, Arucard.  Reading your post, I must warn that the wiki does, in fact, spoil plenty--as wikis for games and such tend to do, in order to be thorough.

--Delmion

True, but the survival guide part I linked to is a very low-spoiler area. You would have to follow links from there to really spoil much. Either way, I think we all agree simply playing the game for a while is the best way to go.

Hm, not quite. It talks about many traps and monsters in the later areas, that beginners won't be seeing for a while.
And the whole fun is in meeting a new monster and thinking, "huh, what does that d-OMG!!"

[AresRomanGod]

Hmm, you replied first, Arucard.  Reading your post, I must warn that the wiki does, in fact, spoil plenty--as wikis for games and such tend to do, in order to be thorough.

--Delmion

True, but the survival guide part I linked to is a very low-spoiler area. You would have to follow links from there to really spoil much. Either way, I think we all agree simply playing the game for a while is the best way to go.

Hm, not quite. It talks about many traps and monsters in the later areas, that beginners won't be seeing for a while.
And the whole fun is in meeting a new monster and thinking, "huh, what does that d-OMG!!"

Yeah, I was laughing my ass off when the yetis played volleyball with my corpse.

[GreyMario]

Someone should create a custom level where the only thing there is is two yetis inside a small room, and you're immediately stuck next to one of the yetis.