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Super Meat Boy

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Super Meat Boy
File:Cboxsupermeatboy.jpg
Developer(s)Team Meat
Designer(s)Edmund McMillen
Tommy Refenes
Composer(s)Danny Baranowsky
EngineTommunism Engine
Platform(s)Xbox Live Arcade, Windows
ReleaseXbox Live Arcade
October 20, 2010[1]
Windows
November 30, 2010 (Steam)
December 2, 2010 (Direct2Drive)
Mac
Early 2011
WiiWare
TBC 2010
Genre(s)Platform game
Mode(s)Single-player

Super Meat Boy is a platform game developed by Team Meat and is the successor to Edmund McMillen's and Jonathan McEntee's flash game, Meat Boy, originally released on Newgrounds in October 2008.[2] It was released on Xbox Live Arcade on October 20, 2010[1], and on Windows on December 1, 2010.[1] Versions for WiiWare and Mac will be released later.

Gameplay

The game sees players taking on the role of a small, skinless, cube-shaped boy named Meat Boy, who must save his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the evil Dr. Fetus. Players must use sharp reflexes to guide Meat Boy to the end of each level, using his wall clinging ability, while avoiding buzzsaws, salt, and other various death bringing obstacles. The core gameplay can be compared to many traditional platformers such as Mega Man and N, requiring fine control and split-second timing. The game contains about 350 levels, which are split across various chapters.[3] Levels in each chapter can be played in any order, but a certain number of levels need to be completed to access the boss stage.[4] Completing a level within a certain time will earn an 'A+' grade which unlocks a harder alternate level. In addition to these, there are hidden warp zones featuring retro styled bonus levels, most with a limit of three lives. Clearing certain warp zones or collecting hidden bandages unlocks guest characters from indie games.[5] There is also a replay function, showcasing failed attempts simultaneously.[6] The XBLA version features an unlockable mode called "Teh Internets" which will be freely updated with new levels. A full level editor was planned,[7] but due to new regulations concerning user made content on consoles, only the PC and Mac versions of the game will have this feature, which will be released some time in January.[8][9] However, players can use certain means to access a developer mode allowing them to edit their own levels.

Characters

Along with Meat Boy, there are several unlockable characters appearing from various indie videogames, each with unique abilities. These characters can be unlocked by collecting enough bandages or completing certain warp zones. Some bandages can only be collected by using certain characters.[10] Some levels, such as warp zones and boss levels, cannot be played with different characters. Additionally, characters vary depending on the version played, or more specifically the game platform. All comparisons made are comparing to meat boy.

All Versions

  • Meat Boy (multiple variations of this character are unlocked)
  • Bandage Girl (playable in Chapter 7) - Same as Meat Boy.
  • Commander Video (Bit.Trip series) – Can hover in mid-air.
  • Flywrench (Flywrench) – Can triple jump and slide up and down walls, but is heavy.
  • Jill (Mighty Jill Off) – Can slow descent with air brakes. [11]
  • Ogmo (Jumper) – Can double jump.
  • The Kid (I Wanna Be the Guy) – Can double jump, with slightly more precise handling than Ogmo.[12]
  • Meat Ninja – Can teleport in the split second before death.
  • Brownie (Playable via code)

Exclusive to Xbox Live Arcade

  • Alien Hominid – Can shoot downwards to increase jump height or slow descent[13][14]
  • Gish – Can stick to walls and slide across ceilings.
  • Tim (Braid) – Can rewind time three seconds and kill enemies at the same time.
  • Spelunky (Spelunky) – Has an explosive jump.
  • Ninja (N/N+) Can sprint fast.
  • Pink Knight (Castle Crashers) – Can perform a flutter jump.[15]

Exclusive to Windows/Mac

  • Steve (Minecraft) - Can build and destroy blocks infinitely to easily get across levels[16]
  • Captain Viridian (also known as The Captain) (VVVVVV)  - Can reverse gravity[17]
  • Josef (Machinarium) - Can spin arms to greatly increase jump height[18]
  • Headcrab (Half-Life)(Steam exclusive)  – Can stick to walls and ceilings and has more horizontal jumps[19]
  • Goo Ball (World Of Goo)(Non-Steam version and Steam version via code)  - Can stick to walls and slide across ceilings[20][21]
  • RunMan (RunMan: Race Around the World)  - Can sprint very quickly[22]
  • Naija (Aquaria)  - Can slow descent and perform a mid air dash[23]
  • Tofu Boy (Playable by typing "petaphile" in player select screen)  - Completely weak due to iron deficiency.[24]

Steam's forums have found that there is data for a playable Dr. Fetus which was dummied out of the game. He has the same abilities as Meat Boy, but with an installed rocket launcher which can be used by pressing the run key.

Development

Meat Boy began as a flash game created by Edmund McMillen and programmed by Johnathan McEntee, released on Newgrounds on October 5, 2008.[25] It has currently garnered over 840,000 views on newgrounds.com (8 million over all) since its release. A map pack for the flash version was later released on December 8, 2008.[26]

Super Meat Boy began development after Nintendo requested the game be brought over to WiiWare, having been impressed by the success of McMillen's Flash game Aether and the previous Meat Boy title.[3] According to the developers, the game is "a big throw back to a lot of super hardcore NES classics like Ghosts 'n Goblins, Mega Man, and the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2",[2] with the plot "a mash-up of every videogame story from the early 90s".[3]

In April 2009, Team Meat announced that Tim, the protagonist from Braid, would be the first unlockable indie game character.[27] Later, Commander Video from the Bit.Trip series and Alien Hominid were revealed to be additional unlockable characters.[28] Flywrench from Flywrench and Ogmo from the Jumper series were also recently confirmed as playable characters for the game. Each character has different attributes, such as Commander Video's ability to float midair. Meat Boy himself makes cameo appearances in Bit.Trip Runner and Bit.Trip Fate.[29]

The game was initially announced for WiiWare and PC, set to be released in Q1 of 2010, but this was pushed back to Q4 Of 2010 because the developers wanted more time to create extra levels in form of the dark worlds in the game. A picture released on Team Meat's Twitter page on February 22, 2010 revealed that the game would also come to Xbox Live Arcade.[30] They announced the next day that, whilst all versions will be released in the same month, the game would be released for XBLA first due to 'contractual obligations'.[8] Due to Sony's initial disinterest in the game, Team Meat entered into contractual obligations that prohibit the game from ever being sold for PlayStation Network.[31] The XBLA version features an exclusive mode called 'Teh Internets' which allows players to play new levels as Team Meat releases them free of charge.[32] The PC and Mac versions of the game will feature a level editor, to be released 'no more than six months' after the game ships. There are plans to incorporate select user-made levels for release on Teh Internets.[9] A limited edition printed version of the PC game will be released in January 2011, including bonuses such as behind the scenes videos.[33] The WiiWare version's release is currently delayed due to the challenge in meeting the filesize limitations.[34]

In response to the removal of Tommy Refenes' iPhone OS app, Zits & Giggles, from the iTunes store, a week after Refenes criticised the App Store, likening the iPhone to a Tiger Electronics Handheld,[35] Team Meat created Super Meat Boy HANDHELD, an iPhone app styled on a Tiger Handheld, which was released on the iTunes store on April 3, 2010.[36][37] Edmund McMillen has also released a Meat Boy microgame for WarioWare D.I.Y. A Meat Boy shirt is an avatar reward,[38] replicating the one available in the Newgrounds store and Edmund's Etsy shop.[39][40] Three music tracks from the game will be released as downloadable content for Rock Band 3 in January 2011.[41] The game's soundtrack by Danny Baranowsky was released on Bandcamp on October 27, 2010.[42] In response to a parody flash game, Super Tofu Boy, released by PETA on December 1, 2010 to promote veganism,[43] Team Meat added their own interpretation of Tofu Boy to the PC version on December 2, 2010. This incarnation is much slower and less able than Meat Boy, due to a "severe iron deficiency".[44]

Reception

Super Meat Boy was the winner of the Pax 10 at Penny Arcade Expo 2010[46] and was awarded Game of the Show by Destructoid. It also received a nomination for Game of the Show from Machinima.[47] The game also received nominations for Grand Prize and Excellence in Audio in the 2010 Independent Games Festival.[48] It has received nominations for IGN's Best of 2010 awards in the Best Soundtrack, Best Retro Design, and Most Challenging categories.[49]

The game currently has an aggregate score of 90 on Metacritic based off of 38 critic reviews and 91.10% on GameRankings based on 29 reviews, indicating universal acclaim.[45][50] IGN gave the game a 9.0 score and an Editor's Choice award, praising its perfect controls and inventive challenges.[51] 1UP.com gave the game an A rank.[52] GamesRadar gave the game 9/10, saying "while it’s always tough and demanding, it never feels cheap, or like the game is cheating you."[53] Gamespot gave the game 9.5, praising precise control, excellent level design, and a smooth difficulty curve.[54] Joystiq gave the game a score of 4.5/5, with the reviewer calling it "one of the best platformers I've ever played."[12] Eurogamer gave the game 9/10, saying "Super Meat Boy starts out as just another indie game that revels in driving you crazy, but you end up crazy in love."[55] Destructoid gave the game 9.5/10, calling it "the world's newest 2D platforming legend."[56] MTV Multiplayer reviewer Russ Frushtick said the game is "easily one of the best games on Xbox Live Arcade and should be considered one of the finest 2D platformers ever made."[57] Official Xbox Magazine gave the game 10/10 calling it "the best tenner you'll ever spend".[58] G4's X-Play gave the game a 5/5, saying it has "one of the best dollar-to-fun ratios around".[59]

Soundtrack

Super Meat Boy's soundtrack was composed by Danny Baranowsky, who has also composed soundtracks for games such as Canabalt and Gravity Hook. The game itself contains 29 tracks which vary in style. On October 26, 2010, the game's soundtrack was released via Bandcamp.[60]

November the 6. Danny Baranowsky and Destructoid made a podcast playing Super Meat Boy for over 10 hours in a row, and the whole day 100 % of all the earnings from music on Danny's website went toward the national MS society, which is a charity for the disease Multiple Sclerosis. During that day they collected $2500.

Tracklist

  1. Boy Meats Girl (Intro Movie) 01:04
  2. Super Meat Boy! (Main Theme) 00:38
  3. Forest Funk (Ch 1 Light World) 03:00
  4. Ballad of the Burning Squirrel (Ch 1 Dark World) 02:51
  5. The Battle of Lil' Slugger (Ch 1 Boss) 02:14
  6. Betus Blues (Ch 2 Light World) 03:12
  7. C.H.A.D.'s Broken Wind (Ch 2 Dark World) 03:46
  8. C.H.A.D.'s Lullaby (Ch 2 Boss) 02:25
  9. Can o' Salt (Ch 3 Light World) 03:20
  10. Rocket Rider (Ch 3 Dark World) 03:00
  11. Fast Track to Browntown (Ch 3 Boss) 02:24
  12. Hot Damned (Ch 4 Light World) 02:54
  13. Devil N' Bass (Ch 4 Dark World) 02:40
  14. Meat Golem (Ch 4 Boss) 02:45
  15. It Ends (Ch 5 Light World) 03:23
  16. Dr. Fetus' Castle (Ch 5 Dark World) 03:02
  17. Larries' Lament (Ch 5 Boss) 02:49
  18. It Ends 2: End Harder (Ch 6 Levels) 03:06
  19. Carmeaty Burana (Ch 6 Boss) 04:25
  20. Escape! 02:36
  21. End Credits 01:38
  22. McLarty Party People (Ch 7 Levels) 03:00
  23. Meat Spin (Teh Internets Levels) 01:41
  24. Forest Funk RETRO (Ch 1 Warp Zone) 03:00
  25. Betus Blues RETRO (Ch 2 Warp Zone) 03:12
  26. Can o' Salt RETRO (Ch 3 Warp Zone) 03:20
  27. Hot Damned RETRO (Ch 4 Warp Zone) 02:53
  28. It Ends RETRO (Ch 5 Warp Zone)

References

  1. ^ a b c [1] Cite error: The named reference "Release" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Team Meat Interview
  3. ^ a b c Indie Queue: Meat Boy Gets Supersized
  4. ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-meaty-super-meat/705606
  5. ^ Super Meat Boy's Hidden Depth - Wii Feature at IGN
  6. ^ Super Meat Boy coming to Steam!
  7. ^ Pre-purchase Super Meat Boy on Steam
  8. ^ a b Meat Boy on XBLA!
  9. ^ a b http://supermeatboy.com/38/Teh_Internets_/#b
  10. ^ http://supermeatboy.com/37/Character_roster_update_/#b
  11. ^ http://daphaknee.livejournal.com/882272.html
  12. ^ a b http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/super-meat-boy-review/
  13. ^ http://store.steampowered.com/app/40800/
  14. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/SuperMeatBoy/status/3325356522082305
  15. ^ Jonathan Holmes. "PAX 10: Super Meat Boy hands-on interview gets gishy".
  16. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/notch/status/27922598920
  17. ^ http://www.destructoid.com/gallery/100228/73158
  18. ^ http://news.bigdownload.com/2010/11/12/super-meat-boys-latest-pc-exclusive-character-revealed/
  19. ^ http://store.steampowered.com/app/40800/
  20. ^ http://supermeatboy.com/59/You_ve_got_Headcrabs_/#b
  21. ^ http://supermeatboy.com/63/I_just_pre_ordered___in_my_pants/#b
  22. ^ http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2010/11/exclusive_reveal_runman_is_a_s.html
  23. ^ Steam Achievements
  24. ^ http://twitter.com/SuperMeatBoy/status/10230275837534208
  25. ^ Meat Boy
  26. ^ Meat boy (map pack)
  27. ^ Super Meat Boy/Braid Crossover Event!
  28. ^ Dual Interview with CommanderVideo and Meat Boy
  29. ^ Bit.Trip Runner Video Game, Debut Trailer | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
  30. ^ Its a secret to everyone! on Twitpic
  31. ^ http://www.destructoid.com/no-super-meat-boy-on-ps3-and-you-can-blame-sony-187645.phtml
  32. ^ Conrad Zimmerman. "First shots of Super Meat Boy's 'teh internets'".
  33. ^ https://twitter.com/SuperMeatBoy/status/11989533163782144
  34. ^ http://kotaku.com/5678896/size-limit-spoils-super-meat-boys-november-release-on-wiiware
  35. ^ Apple Bans Game, Days After Developer Publicly Trashes App Store
  36. ^ Super Meat Boy Makes iPhone Into Tiger Handheld
  37. ^ Tiger Handheld version of Super Meat Boy is supposed to suck, Super Meat Boy PC News | GamesRadar
  38. ^ http://www.supermeatboy.com/36/ESRB_and_more_/#b
  39. ^ http://www.newgrounds.com/store/product/meat-boy-shirt
  40. ^ http://etsy.com/shop/edmundm
  41. ^ http://supermeatboy.com/49/Peace__Love_and_Save_bugs/#b
  42. ^ http://dbsoundworks.bandcamp.com/album/super-meat-boy-soundtrack
  43. ^ http://features.peta.org/super-meat-boy-parody/
  44. ^ http://www.supermeatboy.com/65/Super_Meat_Boy_vs_Peta_/#b
  45. ^ a b "Super Meat Boy". Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  46. ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/pax-10-winners-announced-for-pax-10/
  47. ^ http://supermeatboy.com/35/WE_WON_SOMETHING_/#b
  48. ^ http://www.igf.com/02finalists.html
  49. ^ http://pc.ign.com/articles/113/1136656p5.html
  50. ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/990836-super-meat-boy/index.html
  51. ^ http://uk.xboxlive.ign.com/articles/112/1128601p1.html
  52. ^ http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3181956
  53. ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/super-meat-boy/review/super-meat-boy-review/a-2010102011228730077/g-20100831124913740028
  54. ^ http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/meatboy/review.html
  55. ^ http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-10-18-super-meat-boy-review?page=2
  56. ^ http://www.destructoid.com/review-super-meat-boy--3
  57. ^ http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/10/05/super-meat-boy-review/
  58. ^ http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=23039
  59. ^ http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/63996/Super-Meat-Boy/review/
  60. ^ http://dbsoundworks.bandcamp.com/
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