Spin Time

Steam recommended this game to me because, apparently, it's "Similar to the games you have played: GRIS".

You know, GRIS? The beautifully hand-drawn 2D platformer, with an award-winning soundtrack, that tells the story of a girl dealing with stages of grief via visual metaphor? That GRIS? Yes. Steam thought Spin Time is similar to GRIS.

Steam can be HILARIOUS sometimes. Because obviously Spin Time is so much deeper, so much more life changing than GRIS, pfft.. I am a different person now having played Spin Time. I'm not sure I'm MORE or LESS of a person, but I'm a different person.

wade nixon if you are reading this i bought because of your cool as video you made on this game ok

Spin Time is the breath of fresh air the Indie Gaming scene needed, nay deserved. What on the surface may appear to be a simple gimmick, and a joke that would get old after the first few minutes, is in reality a truly deep and meaningful philosophical deconstruction on the very cycle we find ourselves trapped in on our day by day basis.

SPOILERS!!!

Each time you load up the game, you're given two (2) options: "Play", or "Quit". Clicking on "Play" will being you to a variety of one of five (5) procedurally unlockable modes. These consist of Normal, Counter-Clockwise, Easy, Spin Hero, and finally IMPOSSIBLE (spelt with all caps). Aside from a few minor differences however, all of these modes (aside from one) tend to play out mostly the same, yet it's in that repetitive gameplay loop in which the game's true themes slowly start to become apparent.

Upon selecting a mode, you will find yourself in a fences off pasture, the only things around being a creature known simply as "Horst", along with a large red button. The objective, put simply, is to help Horst achieve his maximum velocity of spinning by repeatedly clicking the button over and over, until he finally achieves his desired goal, ascending from his mortal existence to a higher purpose. Do this for each and every separate mode, and you've essentially seen everything the game has to offer.

I would be remiss, however, if I did not also mention the additional goodies held within the fabled "Options" menu. Here you can adjust some gameplay settings such as sensitivity and volume, but also you have two (2) other selectable modes "Green" and "Fun". Otherwise that's it, that is the whole game. There's not much else going on on a surface level, which only further makes you question, "Why did I buy this?".

That single morsel of doubt is all that's needed to grow out of control, engulfing you in a storm of futility as you desperately try and try again to find meaning in each press. "Why am I doing this? What's the Point?". And yet each time, the result is the same. And yet you press on. Click, after click, after click, he reaches his top spin and ascends, only for you to find yourself back where you started, nothing having been accomplished. Each time you return to the title screen, mocking you with its only options, quit or keep on playing, and each time you're met once again by Horst. Horst, who despite everything, still wishes to continue with the sisyphean task of reaching his maximum speed.

But who is Horst? At first glance he appears to be rather disgusting, some sort of naked quadrupedal frog-man. He has a large red nose, implying he suffers from some sort of allergy, which makes him relatable to the average player. He celebrates festive holidays and events such as Christmas and Birthdays, and appears to have quite a social life. Yet despite this, he is only ever seen and depicted in this field with the large red button; unable to spin, unable to achieve his dream. Even so, it's hard to not find his persistence and determination to keep going at least a little bit inspiring, so much so that you find you want to keep pressing the button also. To keep Horst Spinning, and to keep going despite the futility of the task. Despite the futility of merely existing.

The game in it of itself, is an allegory, the repetitive gameplay loop being reflective of the repetitive nature of daily life. How each day can feel like the same thing over and over again, with no real rhyme or reason to anything. How we find ourselves wandering aimlessly down the road of uncertainty, and despite that, we keep going. Because despite how gruelling a task, an how pointless the whole game feels, there are things which make it all worth it. Like Horst. I love you Horst.

Spin Time will go down as one of the true gaming greats, and stands as a testament to not only the potential of human spirit, but also everything life has to offer.