What progression does this game have?

[Shane]

have played alot of platformer games in my time ,and Do enjoy a good challenge, I wasnt aware spelunky was a total reset game though ( I know I should have read :P )
I like hard games, but I also need progression, if the game totally resets everytime I die, Im not sure theres much fun to be had. Feels like your time played was a 'waste' or I was under the impression that each time you died you gained something from it Xp or cash wise. Wiping hte slate clean every few mins you die just makes me wonder why bother.

Am I missing something or spleunky just not for me?

[Misery]

You are missing one of the main points, which is that permadeath is a thing in this game. The reason it's there is because

A) The game is extremely short, but also fairly difficult to compensate
B) The procedural generation means playthroughs are different each time to keep it fresh

But, it could also be that this type of game is not for you.

[Syd]

You can unlock shortcuts and characters, but other than that, it's a clean slate every time you start the game and after each death.

Like Otterpoppins said, Spelunky just might not be your kind of game.

[Shane]

Ill keep at it, I do enjoy the gameplay just the clean slate is a hammer blow, Ive no idea why but im a very OCD person with games and kinda desire some form of progression, prob why RPG and completionist games are by far my fave.

Its prob the time constraint and consta restarts that dont suit my playstyle not the game itself lacking, Ill keep at it for a bit anyways a good challenge is always welcome.

[Deadly Sinner]

The progression is in your MIND! The more you play, the better you get, and the closer you get to beating it.

[ahoneybadger3]

Sounds like rogue legacy may be the type of game you're after.

[saluk]

There is a tiny bit of progression - you unlock portals to the other zones after a bit which lets you skip past the earlier levels and practice the different worlds. By the time you unlock some of these portals, you will probably be hooked on the game and understand the philosophy a bit better. You will see a lot of progression in your skill, as scenarios that used to be a death wish become a breeze. The fun of the game is in not knowing what you will see next or quite how you will deal with each situation.

It didn't really click for me until I unlocked the jungle.

[optimistic realization]

I wouldn't have bought this game had I known you lose everything every time you die and you have to start over again. Even games I played back in the day on Sega, NES, etc... had multiple lives and continues. This game just feels cheap.

[Ladez]

The progression lies in trying out different tactics and seeing what works and what gets you killed. You are supposed to improve your skills at playing the game, by getting familiar with the mechanics and learning about the obstacles ahead. If you feel like it is time wasted, then your approach to this game is either completely wrong or it may actually be the wrong kind of game for you.

One thing that can help is setting some goals for yourself, like "today I want to reach the Temple" or "today I want to clear the Mothership". At first the goals can be simple, like "I want to find out how to kill giant spiders in the easiest way", and later you can move on to your first successful ghost run.

You need to shed that sense of safety that most games give you. This game is out to get you, and only your own skill is going to prevent that.

[optimistic realization]

This game is cheap in more ways than one. ...can't see to the left, that's alright an arrow can kill you anyway. smh Inconsistent fall damage, etc... It's difficult for all the wrong reasons.

[Ladez]

Originally posted by Mic_Blades:

This game is cheap in more ways than one. ...can't see to the left, that's alright an arrow can kill you anyway. smh Inconsistent fall damage, etc...

If you're not aware of your surroundings then you deserve to die. That's harsh, yes, but the game will punish you for storming ahead. It's not cheap, it's you being reckless.

And how is fall damage inconsistent? I consistently only get 1 damage for falling too hard, and if you have played the game for more than 20 minutes you should have a pretty good idea of how far below you can fall without taking damage.

Don't punish the game for your own shortcomings.

[slood]

The thing i like about Spelunky is that you can complete game on 1st try (if you have skill).
There's no progression, just gaining skill and experience.
Sometimes it feels like game is unfair, but thats rare or only for new players.
Complaining about no saves? Man, its a rougelike.
And still with all that game is fun as hell.
And an interesting fact - you can complete game under 8 minutes (easy way), there's achievement gor that.
Hope i didnt waste my time here explaining stuff to you.