Try Harder

The Corpse-Filled Gauntlet: A Review of Try Harder

You’ve just cleared a tricky jump, landing safely on a narrow platform. Ahead, you see the faint outline of another player’s body—a previous version of yourself, frozen in a moment of failure. You leap over it, using its position as a stepping stone, a grim reminder of the attempt that ended here. This is the core, morbidly fascinating mechanic of Try Harder, a 2D platformer from Noodlecake Studios that turns your own past mistakes into interactive obstacles.

This isn't a typical procedurally generated endless runner. The stages in Try Harder are static, hand-crafted sequences of platforms, spikes, and moving hazards. The twist is that every time you die, your previous character’s corpse remains in the level, exactly where you fell. On your next run, you’ll navigate a graveyard of your own failures. These corpses aren't just decorative; they are physical objects you can stand on, jump over, or use to block certain hazards. The level design is a constant, but the path through it evolves based on your own history of deaths. This creates a unique, self-referential difficulty curve where you are literally building a bridge of bodies to reach the next checkpoint.

The control scheme is deceptively simple, built for one-touch precision. A single tap makes your character jump. Holding your finger down increases the jump height and distance, allowing for more controlled arcs over wider gaps. The real depth comes from the power-up system. While in the air, a second tap activates one of three selected “boosters.” These are not random pickups; you choose them before the run. The boosters include a double-jump for extra vertical reach, an air glide for horizontal drift over long distances, and a transformation into a spiked ball that bounces aggressively across the level, destroying certain obstacles on contact. Mastering the timing of these activations—knowing when to use a double-jump versus a glide—is the key to surviving the later, more crowded stages.

Core Mechanics and Features

• Persistent Corpse Physics: Every death leaves a physical body in the level. You can use these corpses as platforms, stepping stones, or shields, making failure a tangible part of the progression.
• Three Strategic Boosters: Choose between a double-jump, an air glide, or a spiked ball transformation before each run. Each booster changes your approach to obstacles and requires different timing.
• Static Level Design with Dynamic Obstacles: The platform layouts are fixed, but the path through them changes as you accumulate corpses. This creates a learning loop where you gradually “solve” each section by dying strategically.

The visual and audio design is clean and functional, with a minimalist art style that keeps the focus on the action. The sound design provides clear feedback for jumps, deaths, and booster activations, which is critical for a game that demands precise timing. There is no intrusive advertising, and the game offers a Turbo mode that removes all ads and provides additional benefits for a premium experience. While the lack of visual variety across stages might be a drawback for some, the gameplay loop is so tightly tuned that it compensates for the repetitive scenery. The difficulty is perfectly balanced, offering a punishing but fair challenge that rewards persistence.

Download the game now. This unique corpse-based platformer is not for the faint of heart. Exclusive access for first users—limited offer available today only.

Technical Disclaimer: This game requires an internet connection for initial download and optional leaderboard features. It contains in-app purchases for the Turbo ad-free mode and other consumable items. The game is rated for ages 9+ due to mild fantasy violence. Data usage is minimal during normal gameplay but may increase during leaderboard updates. Check your device settings for notification permissions.