SPEEDCOINS

TheAwakening
Aug 6
2 min read

Updated: Aug 22

Overview

You’ve found a cube with a face hidden within the earth. You need a digging tool, but you are out of coins. Soon you are launched to the world to catch those coins! SpeedCoins is all about speedrunning the levels and nabbing the coins in record time. The dangers? Despite the friendliness the game has, it is a hardcore speed runner, and soon you discover this is no easy task.

Gameplay

In a single level you must collect ALL the coins within the allotted time. A perfect score involves beating the timer without taking any damage whatsoever. To do all this, we have a couple of abilities. We can dash in any direction, but it does not grant any invulnerability. To deal with the roaming enemies and blockades, we can fire projectiles, but it is best used as a last resource since it takes time to eliminate a foe.

The environment is also our obstacle as we face moving platforms, spikes (some of which can trigger horizontally towards us), and even lava. We have limited health and, even worse, little invulnerability time, as the traps can damage us without stopping. To move across the levels, we have double jump and dashing, the former resetting once we hit the ground. However, if you aim to perfect the level, you cannot take damage, so you must use every resource available and know how to move in every level.

Another resource we have is power-ups! Enemies may drop these on defeat, which will grant us a random power-up or an increase in our stats (firing speed, movement, more damage, etc.). Some are already placed strategically within the levels, and their use is straightforward; they are conveniently placed to jump across a long gap with spikes at the bottom without taking damage. Portals are also placed in some levels to teleport from A to B; you might think it saves you the work, but if there are any coins left behind, you're going to waste more time if you have to backtrack.

To achieve a perfect score, there is only one route you must take every level to save time while avoiding taking damage. To add flavor, any coins collected can be used to purchase skins or special power-ups that can be activated in the pause menu. Or you could gamble with them and open boxes that drop coins or skins. After all, what's the point of nabbing coins without spending them?

Audio & Graphics

The whole game gives a retro look, which fits perfectly—unique, colorful, and family-friendly. The soundtrack pairs with it as well in every level. The interface is minimal, but it shows everything we need. The only problem I'm facing is probably the camera distance; sometimes it doesn’t show enough of the level, and the next thing I know, I'm about to crash into spikes or an enemy. If this is intended, it just makes the game more difficult.