Spurdo :D Review

Have you ever heard of something called a “meme game”? While not an actual genre or a recognised term as such, you can imagine the type of title that could be associated with the categorisation. One interpretation consists of titles that have spawned many memorable memes, such as the Dame Dame song from the Yakuza franchise or the ever-memorable “Press F To Pay Respects” of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare fame.

Another way to look at this classification is in a very literal sense, i.e. a game featuring or built around a specific meme in mind, like SKIBIDI: ESCAPE FROM TOILETS! or Nyan Cat: Lost In Space. Titles in this category often rely on the humour factor more than on the quality of the game itself, being intended for other people who get the joke and may, therefore, be more of a silly little experience than anything else. When I first heard of Jason PK Games’ Spurdo :D, the game based on a Finnish meme making fun of memes, I suspected it would fall into the latter category. Will I be correct in my estimation, or will the game be a shining diamond transcending critique? Let’s find out!

Who says memes can't be wholesome? ...ignore the pistol on the table.

We set off in a bit of a downer, as the main character, the titular Spurdo Spärde, has died and entered the afterlife. Usually, the petitioner would be judged by their memories and then sent on their way, but our hero seems to have none! To rectify this and receive judgment, they must experience their past lives and rebuild who they are. Using a magical telescope, you are able to choose one of six worlds to experience, living out one of your past lives, which span many time periods, genres and art styles. While on this epic quest, you’ll meet familiar faces, decide the fate of many, and possibly uncover a dark secret that may leave you questioning much!

While this may sound very serious and philosophical, Spurdo :D is at its heart a comedy game, which is made readily apparent in the worlds you visit: each past-life is represented by a micro-story set in a completely different art style and featuring unique game mechanics. For example, one world is a detective noir-esque point-and-click adventure featuring a cardboard puppet aesthetic, whereas another is reminiscent of the Pokémon titles on the original Game Boy, featuring turn-based battling. While some sections are longer than others, they are short enough to not get boring, barring one exception where I was stuck in a fishing minigame grinding gold for better gear!

Disco Elysium eat your heart out

In addition to the titular character of Spurdo, you will also meet other memes, both Finnish and universal, such as the unlucky Apu, the always-exercising Chad, and the mysterious Gondola, who only answers in variations of “:D”. These characters reoccur in Spurdo’s lives, usually taking the form of friends or colleagues, though still having some changes in their roles in each story.

All in all, the changes in style and mechanics kept the game feeling relatively fresh, though sometimes what was needed to progress could have been clearer. Despite this, I enjoyed the little story the game had to tell and even laughed at some of the jokes, crude though they were. It took me around three hours to finish. As an additional bit of intrigue, the game does have a meta-plot that you will need to go out of your way to find. While nothing major, it incentivises exploring and trying things, only to see if this action will result in the fourth wall breaking. My favourite was definitely being asked to collect bugs, resulting in me going for a bit of a trip, only to realise it was a dead end.

I believe in you

In terms of visuals and audio, I have little to say: the visual styles of each location fit the present theme well, with the detective noir world's cardboard aesthetic being especially impressive. The audio was equally fitting, with each theme fitting the genre or game being imitated. There is no voice acting in the game, though I believe this to be to its benefit; a core principle of the Spurdo meme is a… let's say, unique speech impediment, which may have grated with time if acted out.

When I first started playing Spurdo :D, I was convinced it would be a simple, funny game to waste a few hours on. While this is true, I was still impressed by the level of care that went into each of the worlds to make them feel unique and faithful to the genre and/or game they were imitating. Sure, the jokes are a bit stale; Spurdo is an awful person, and most problems were solved with violence, but it's hard not to be a bit surprised about the variety of mechanics and fun activities on offer. Considering the somewhat low price point of £10.99, I feel safe in recommending giving this odd journey a try. If nothing else, you may be itching to pick up an older title from your past! Oh, and I do recommend at least some level of familiarity with the whole Spurdo meme thing, as not understanding that may take away from the experience. Now is your chance to befriend a Finn!