Studio Play Pretend’s 2D action platformer is a game of two halves. It’s hard, really hard. Some, including myself, might go so far as to say that it’s a little too hard. The thing is though, it’s also really good. Le Parker is one of those games that when you’re right on the edge of frustration, and you swear this is your last crack at a level before chucking the whole thing in, skills the game has forced you to learn finally click all at the right moments, and once again you’ll find yourself back at the level-select screen with a new challenge unlocked. And off you go again (although maybe after a cup of tea and a lie down).

The ingredients making up this punishing yet rewarding dichotomy are an interesting study in game design, and well worth a closer look.