Level Devil Review: A Platformer That Loves to Hate You, in the best of ways.
A Platformer with a Mean Streak and a funny bone
At first glance, Level Devil looks deceptively simple. It embraces a minimalistic, very retro-inspired aesthetic, I am talking Atari 2600 sorts of aesthetics, with bright colors and clean, minimalistic level layouts. But behind that simplistic presentation lies a game that thrives on mischief. things seem simple enough, move the guy to the door. But nothing is what it seems, and each level is out to get you, using an arsenal of tricks, surprises, and outright betrayals to ensure you never feel safe.
The core gameplay is straightforward: move left, move right, jump, and try to reach the exit. Easy, right? Not a chance. Platforms or pieces of the solid ground, vanish without warning, walls sprout from the ground at the worst possible moment blocking your path. Or worse... push you off the cliff that you swear was not behind you a moment ago. Spikes appear exactly where you thought you were safe, until you weren't and buzz saws are out to get you, or at least there to make you think twice before you move on. To make matters worse, just when you think you’ve figured out how the game operates, it flips the rules—sometimes literally—by reversing gravity, altering movement physics, or even messing with the controls.
Each level does give you hint in its tile, that can prepare you ever so little to what is to come. One title was flappy, and indeed there was a lot of button-tapping to keep afloat but not fly to close to the sun (or in this case, spikes) either. The "doors" level changes how doors react, remember, those doors you need to reach? Everything can change at a moment's notice and trial and error are par for the course in Level Devil. Expect to die, a lot, as death is an integral part of the learning curve of each level. At the end of the area you run through a master level that combines all the things you learned in the previous levels into one massive torture chamber. Quick reaction speed and a good memory should be all you need to make it through, the problem might just be is that as you progress each step forward has you more and more paranoid on what might happen next. This is where the hesitations set in, which the game will ultimately use to trap you again. I am going paranoid playing this game and I am going it with a smile, giggles and outright laughter.
Unlike traditional platformers that challenge you through increasing difficulty, Level Devil challenges you by actively deceiving you. It’s the gaming equivalent of playing chess against a trickster god who swaps the pieces when you're not looking. This unpredictable nature keeps each level feeling fresh, as you never quite know whether your next jump will be your salvation or your doom. The game thrives on tricking your instincts, making it one of the most deviously entertaining platformers in recent memory.
Learning Through Failure
There’s a fine line between frustrating and fun, there have been many games since the inception of videogames that just have the most aggravating controls or designs through either incompetency or by design to make the game last longer. While many fail to adhere to this line, Level Devil walks it expertly. Yes, you’ll die—a lot. But the game’s tight, responsive controls ensure that every failure feels like a lesson rather than a punishment. Each trap, no matter how cheap, is a learning experience. The levels are designed to trick you, but once you understand their tricks, beating them becomes incredibly satisfying. And thanks to their compact design, retries are quick, keeping frustration levels low and momentum high. It might be an obscure reference, Level Devil is the game Yolanda,on the Amiga 500, done right.
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| Yolanda - Amiga 500. |
In a way, Level Devil turns death into a tutorial. Every time you get tricked, you gain a new piece of information about how the level operates. It’s like a comedy of errors where each mistake pushes you closer to mastery. The best part? The game knows you’re catching on and starts layering in counter-traps to keep you on your toes. It’s a never-ending mind game that makes every success feel like a genuine triumph.
New and Improved for Steam
While Level Devil gained a strong following on Poki and mobile platforms, the Steam version takes things up a notch. The level count has been more than doubled, bringing fresh surprises even for veteran players. A new local 2-player mode also lets you and a friend suffer together—because why endure this madness alone when you can share the pain? The game’s signature “pleasantly unfair” design is only amplified when a second player is involved, opening up new opportunities for friendly competition (or brutal sabotage).
The addition of two-player support isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a natural extension of the game’s chaotic charm. Whether you're working together to outwit the game or actively sabotaging each other for laughs, the multiplayer mode turns an already unpredictable experience into an absolute riot. And with new levels exclusive to Steam, there’s even more for players to uncover, rage at, and ultimately conquer. Here is to the testing of some of those beautiful friendships.
A Troll With a Heart of Gold
What makes Level Devil so special is its understanding of what makes a game fun. It’s not just about laughing at your misfortune—it’s about the moment when you finally outsmart the game, when you see a trick coming and dodge it like a seasoned pro. That’s what keeps players coming back for more, even after the 100th buzzsaw betrayal.
The game’s humor is subtle but relentless. The level design itself is the joke, constantly playing with player expectations in ways that are as cruel as they are hilarious. Even the way it markets itself—promising “no surprises” and “pleasant buzzsaws”—leans into the comedy of deception. It’s a rare example of a game that manages to be both genuinely funny and mechanically engaging without leaning on traditional narrative or dialogue.
With its unpredictable design, smooth gameplay, and an endless supply of surprises, Level Devil is the rare kind of game that makes you laugh while repeatedly ruining your day. Whether you’re a fan of platformers or just enjoy a good gaming prank, this is one hell of a ride worth taking. Just don’t trust anything—not even the floor beneath your feet.
