Daniel Stafford: Epic Indie Platformer 'Rocky Memphis' Lives in a Great, Big World

Friday, December 17, 2010

Epic Indie Platformer 'Rocky Memphis' Lives in a Great, Big World

Big things come in small packages, they say -- and, as undernourished, nerdy shrimps, we're here to prove that adage correct. Pint-size protagonists have long been a gaming staple, from the compact physique of 'Mario' to the robo-twerp protagonist of 'Mega Man.' This week, we'll take a look at a new generation of microscopic mascots who star in games that are big fun.

'Rocky Memphis' is the definition of an epic platformer. Why the italics? Think 4000 items to collect and 600 rooms to traverse, and you'll see why we use the "e"-word. You control Rocky, an oddly shaped adventurer who must venture into deadly ruins to collect a plethora of treasures. Getting all 4000 items isn't easy, however. You must avoid a horde of enemies, from snakes, ghosts and cats, all the while maneuvering through some tricky platforming. Power-ups give you some especially helpful abilities, such as increasing your speed to attracting all the treasure in a room. More than anything else, Rocky Memphis is overwhelming... and we mean that in the best way possible. You'll spend hours exploring the game's world (we especially liked the individual names for each room), seeing an impressively varied number of sights and spaces. Thankfully its creators have gone easy on players -- including a save anywhere feature and unlimited lives -- which means even the most inexperienced of gamers can enjoy this journey - and trust us, it's well worth it.

Gallery: Rocky Memphis