Spewer is a browser-based

Browser game

A browser game is a computer game that is played over the Internet using a web browser. Browser games can be created and run using standard web technologies or browser plug-ins. Browser games include all video game genres and can be single-player or multiplayer...

 platform

Platform game

A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...

 video game. It uses liquid physics through regurgitation as its core mechanic. Taking the role of a mysterious test subject, code named "Spewer", the player must vomit their way through over 60 levels while learning new abilities, changing forms and piecing together their purpose in the game.

Gameplay

The player navigates through five chapters and a bonus chapter as Spewer, a small creature that navigates through single-screen levels by utilizing its own vomit as a platform. Spewer can also walk, jump, and swim. The amount of vomit available to the player is represented by a meter, which can be replaced by Spewer eating food or its own vomit. There are four types of vomit in addition to normal vomit which are accessed by eating pills: white vomit that floats, allowing the player to swim in mid air, red vomit that pushes the player off objects at a faster speed with more power, black vomit hardens to become platforms, and yellow vomit that melts and burns objects. A level editor

Level editor

A level editor is a software tool used to design levels, maps, campaigns, etc and virtual worlds for a video game. In some cases the creator of a video game releases an official level editor for a game, but other times the community of fans step in to fill the void...

 is included, allowing players to create their own custom levels.

Development

Spewer was developed by Edmund McMillen

Edmund McMillen

Edmund McMillen is an American video game designer who is known for his unique visual style and innovative gameplay design, as well as his emphasis on the importance of careful level design and rewarding difficulty curves.-Early life:...

 and Eli Piilonen and released on Newgrounds

Newgrounds

Newgrounds is an American entertainment and social media website. Founded on July 6, 1995 by Tom Fulp, the site primarily hosts Adobe Flash animations and games, but also features a music-oriented page, along with an art portal...

 on May 4, 2009. A group of four people developed Spewer: Edmund McMillen created the art assets for the game, and Eli Piilonen was the programmer. These two also handled game design elements together. In addition, Jordan Fehr worked on the sound effects and Daniel Baranowsky provided the music.

Reception

Apple Macintosh gaming magazine MacLife's Arvind Srinivasan described the game as "incredibly addictive", stating that the game managed to hold his attention during the full 60 levels, Spewer was awarded the magazine's Editors' Choice award. Independent video game developer Derek Yu

Derek Yu

Derek Yu is an independent game developer, game artist, and blogger.While he may be best known for his early work on freeware titles such as Eternal Daughter, Yu continues to make games...

stated the game is the most mature title which McMillen has developed in terms of design.