Spelunky

7 cert, Mossmouth, Xbox 360 ****

If you want a challenge, try Spelunky. Addictive yet still simple, the game pits you against some tough trials in a world where randomised environments means no level ever looks the same.

Spelunky originally appeared in 2008 in all its pixellated glory. This Xbox Live Arcade version has been given a bit of a makeover but, although it looks a bit slicker than its predecessor, the game still retains most of its original charm. There are no fancy graphics or convoluted gameplay to deal with.

You are initially armed with some bombs and a piece of rope. With that you’re expected to navigate through perilous caves, icy environments and underwater obstacles, fighting monsters, falling into traps and collecting whatever loot you can lay your hands on.

Spelunky will really appeal to your competitive side, even though it can take what seems like forever to complete some of the challenges and move on to the next level. At times it can be almost screamingly frustrating.

But what seems like a trap – a boulder chasing you, for example – can also work to your advantage. The sentence “I wasn’t expecting that!” will probably leave your lips at least once during a Spelunky session.

And you have to careful here as well, because it’s not a game that is generous with checkpoints or shortcuts. Die at the wrong moment and your progress up to that point means almost nothing.

If you think it warrants a group assault, you can play with three other friends as you try to feel your way through some fiendishly difficult, yet ultimately rewarding, challenges.

There is also the ability to play in a deathmatch against friends, which is as frenzied as it sounds. Expect matches to last minutes, if you’re lucky, but it’s certainly an interesting way to pass a few minutes. Or hours, if you really get a good session going. It’s impossible to put down.

Worth every point you spend on it.