Happy Hell: A Faustian 3D Platformer

Some people think 3D platformers are dead. I tend to disagree, especially since I’ve found five, actually six, make that seven upcoming 3D platformers to discuss.

But even if they are dead, that won’t stop them. Part Faustian deal, part nostalgic throwback, here is the 3D platformer from beyond the grave, Happy Hell!

When Spooky Poo attempts to make a deal with the Devil, he doesn’t have to sell his soul. Instead, he must make it through the nine levels of Hell–Happy Hell, that is, the Devil’s take on 3D platformers like Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario 64.

There’s a catch, right? There’s always a catch.

Yes, if Spooky Poo wants to increase his chances of surviving, he must find Soul Suckers scattered through the levels and trade a piece of his soul in exchange for a special ability. You won’t need all the powers to get through–and in fact, it’s possible to beat the game without giving up any part of Spooky Poo’s soul if you’re up for a challenge.

Like many of the other 3D platformers I’ve discussed, Happy Hell is planned for the PC, Mac, and Linux. It has additional Kickstarter stretch goals for Wii U and PS4 versions.

With my love of the genre, I was delighted to try out Happy Hell’s prototype demo, a very early build that shows off some of the game’s basic mechanics and concepts. The controls are still a little rough, although part of that is because I was playing with a keyboard and it’s designed for a controller–this was especially apparent when I attempted to control the camera.

That said, it has solid platforming mechanics at its core and some unique ideas. I had a good time playing it, even as I died repeatedly. As for my deaths, I was relieved to see my progress carried over even after death, so if I fell into lava immediately after finding a Soul Sucker, I respawned with the ability I’d received. I’m not sure if this is a feature of the game (it’s set in Hell, after all, and the Devil is probably more interested in getting Spooky Poo’s soul than in killing him for good) or unique to the demo.

I look forward to seeing what a polished level of Happy Hell will be like. For now, here’s my playthrough of the prototype build for you to enjoy.

If you like what you see, don’t forget to check out the Kickstarter and also vote it up on Steam Greenlight. The main game promises 9 levels (each with at least 6 goals) and nonlinear gameplay that lets you use different tactics to reach your goal.

What do you think, 3D platformer fans? Are you looking forward to Spooky Poo’s misadventures in Happy Hell?