Item: Spitkiss
Rating: 84
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

84/100

Spitkiss is one of the most unique and strangely heartwarming platformers on the App Store. It uses a clever one-finger slingshot mechanic to navigate through increasingly complex levels, but the 'characters' are droplets of spit sent between lovers living inside a giant body. It sounds gross, but the neon, organ-themed art style is actually beautiful, and the narrative—told through charming comic panels—explores themes of polyamory and identity with surprising depth.

The gameplay is precision-based. You have a limited number of 'hops' in the air to reach your goal, requiring you to think several moves ahead. The inclusion of 'bullet time' (slowing down time when you aim) is a necessary and well-implemented mechanic that prevents the difficulty from becoming frustrating. It's a game that challenges your reflexes and your brain while delivering a story that feels modern and inclusive. It’s a perfect example of how indie developers can push the boundaries of traditional genres.

Reviewed on: Mon Feb 26 2024

Dinsun Review

Spitkiss is the kind of indie gem that reminds me why I still love this medium. On the surface, it’s a game about flinging spit through a body. It sounds juvenile, but in practice, it’s incredibly sophisticated. The controls are perfect—one of the few mobile platformers that actually feels designed for a touchscreen rather than trying to mimic a controller.

The narrative is where it really shines. It handles complex topics like non-binary identities and polyamory with a level of grace and subtlety that most big-budget games could learn from. It’s a conservative, focused experience: no ads, no microtransactions, just 80 levels of pure, creative gameplay. It’s a bit short, and the 'organic' aesthetic might put some people off, but for those who want something genuinely unique, this is a must-play.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Brilliant, intuitive one-finger controls
Deeply original narrative and world-building
No predatory monetization

Visual style can be a bit 'gross' for some
Difficulty spikes in the later levels
Relatively short playtime

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless; the physics are consistent and smooth.

Accessibility:

One-Finger Controls
Visual Cues for Jump Arcs

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want a unique, story-driven indie game with excellent mobile controls.

Skip if: You are easily squeamish or prefer more traditional 'heroic' narratives.

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Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 5 hours
Status: Finished Story Mode

The Game

Available on: Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod

1421224576

$1.99 9+★4.5 23 reviews

Author : Plug In Digital

Pubish Date : Mon Oct 15 2018

Last Update Date : Mon Feb 11 2019

Support Languages : English, Danish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

Genres :

Version 1.4Mon Feb 11 2019

10 new valentines levels unlocked upon completing the game
Requires iOS 9.1 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Spitkiss is a colorful and true one finger platformer that lets you enter into the lovely world of the Spitkissers, tiny creatures that communicate through body fluids and emojis. With an innovative swipe to jump mechanic optimized for modern touchscreens and touchpads, Spitkiss throws out virtual buttons and other tropes of classic platformers.
*** European Games Showcase 2018 ***
*** Indie Prize Finalist 2018 ***
*** Global Top Round Winner 2017 ***
*** Respawn Indie Showcase 2017 ***
You will have to lovespit your way through organs by jumping, trickling, bouncing and bullet timing. Surgical precision and reflexes will be required to see the outcome of Ymer's feelings !
The game’s scenario includes themes of polyamory and genderfluid/non-binary identities on two layers. One story takes place in the metanarrative of the Spitkissers, the other in the hand-drawn tale of Ymer, whose body is represented as the playground of this game.
<3 Main Features <3
- 80 levels with replayability challenges
- A trippy love story told through comics and emojis.
- Organic progression and pee challenges.
- Intuitive and simple swipe-to-jump controls.
<3 Quotes <3
"This is a game that doesn’t just elevate the mobile platform with its balance between mechanics and narrative, but the videogame medium as well."
- Paste Magazine
"What’s really cool about Spitkiss is its one-thumb controls that allow you to fling your character’s spit around each level."
- TouchArcade
"The cute look, the ingenious gameplay and the ridiculously low price make Spitkiss a must-have!"
- Shock2
"I did play the game and I loved it!"
- Nifflas, Uurnog Uurnlimited

Ratings & Reviews

4.5 out of 5 with 23 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

Spitkiss is a colorful precision platformer that challenges you to navigate through the bodies of Ymer. You play as a Spitkisser, launching droplets of spit using intuitive slingshot mechanics. With 80 handcrafted levels and a narrative told through stunning comic panels, Spitkiss explores themes of polyamory and fluid identities. Use bullet time to carefully aim and bounce off walls to reach your partner in this unique and challenging puzzle adventure.

Features

Intuitive one-finger controls

80 handcrafted levels

Narrative told via digital comics

Inclusive and modern story themes

Speedrun and Hard modes

Tips

Mastering the Slingshot

Pull back to aim and release to launch. Remember that you can only 'spit' again after you've touched a solid surface or used one of your limited mid-air 'hops' wisely.