Spunk and Moxie
Kid, you got both of these things.
Sometimes all you need to make a great platformer is a little bit of rage. Or a lot of it, in the case of Spunk and Moxie. Like all the endlessly frustrating games before it, it's an excellent combination of runner and platform delight but that doesn't keep it from demanding perfection. Players will need plenty of the titular spunk and "moxie" to achieve greatness in this cute little game -- and boatloads of patience, too.
Spunk and Moxie are pink and green balls of slime who have escaped from test tubes and are now making a break for it to freedom. Aside from this quick pretense, that's about all you get to know about these little ooze balls. After the setting is established there's little story to be found here. And Spunk and Moxie are completely interchangeable. Choose your favorite color, as that's all it really comes down to.
The Good
Across 30 levels (factories, labs, and similar locales) you'll be zooming to and fro, battling with the environment and solving puzzles scattered throughout. Our special slime balls move a lot quicker than you'd assume ooze would, so dexterity and quick reflexes are key here. You'll need to account for pressure switches, saw blades, and other hazards while hurtling through each level to safety, and your health is not unlimited. Neither slime is immortal, so you'll find yourself starting and restarting a good amount of times before clearing the 30 base levels and 7 challenges.
Even with excellent touch control, additional health potions that can be stockpiled to aid in difficult sections, and other helpful augments, Spunk and Moxie is unforgiving. Since there's only a single touch control system, you have only yourself to blame when you mis-time a jump and end up hurtling to your death. Jumping at the right moment is integral to success. If you can't master that simple maneuver you'll be sent into various spike its and off into the nether several times over. But it's the challenge of it all that ends up making Spunk and Moxie so addictive, knowing that with enough practice you can eventually best your previous high score and lowest time.
The Bad
Across 30 levels you'll be doing just that. It may seem like a short list of levels, but in reality they're so difficult you'll spend a good amount of time with that small number of levels and still feel as though you've got your money's worth. Then you can go back and collect all gems in each level, every key, and complete it on Hard Mode. There's a difficult road ahead of you if you choose to take it, and that's what will keep you coming back to the app time and time again.
The Verdict
A pleasingly vivid color palette, energetic soundtrack, and the cartoony Spunk and Moxie promote an exciting atmosphere, and in the middle of all the anger you're undoubtedly going to experience, they're something to put a smile on your face. Until the next time you miss an important jump. But don't let that scare you away from this fantastic runner/platformer. Just look at it like a challenge just waiting to be conquered, and go ahead and pick it up from the App Store.
4/5
