Offspring Fling
{{short description|2012 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|developer = Kyle Pulver
|image = Offspring Fling.jpg
|caption = Steam banner art
|genre = Puzzle-platform
|released = {{Video game release|WW|March 30, 2012}}
|platforms = Windows, Mac OS, Linux
|engine = FlashPunk
}}
Offspring Fling (stylized as Offspring Fling!) is puzzle-platform game developed by Kyle Pulver and released on March 30, 2012 for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. The game was received favorably by various critics.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/offspring-fling/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Offspring Fling |date= |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/04/06/wot-i-think-offspring-fling/ |title=Wot I Think: Offspring Fling |first=Alec |last=Meer |date=April 6, 2012 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |publisher= |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezebo.com/games/offspring-fling/review |title=Offspring Fling Review |first=Mike |last=Rose |date=April 5, 2012 |work=Gamezebo |publisher= |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://indiegames.com/2012/03/kyle_pulvers_offspring_fling_o.html |title=Release: Offspring Fling (Kyle Pulver) |first=John |last=Polson |date=March 30, 2012 |work=IndieGames.com |publisher=Gamasutra |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hookshotinc.com/offspring-fling-review/ |title=Offspring Fling Review |first=Christian |last=Donlan |date=April 3, 2012 |work=HookShot Inc. |publisher= |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/2012/04/02/offspring-fling-review |title=Offspring Fling review |first=Stephanie |last=Carmichael |date=April 2, 2012 |work=GameZone |publisher= |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-04/02/offspring-fling |title=Baby-throwing puzzler Offspring Fling is your indie treat for the week |first=Mark |last=Brown |date=April 2, 2012 |magazine=Wired UK |publisher=Condé Nast Publications |accessdate=August 9, 2013}}
Gameplay
Offspring Fling is a 2D sidescrolling puzzle-platform game. The player controls a rodent-like forest creature, whose children have been lost. The goal in each level is to gather all the children and bring them to the exit.
While carrying one or more children, the player will not fit through small openings and their jump height is decreased. The player can throw the children in a straight line to move them across the level, which is where the game's name comes from.
Development
Offspring Fling began as a side-project by Tempe, Arizona-based developer Kyle Pulver that turned into a full game.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/18/12-top-indie-developers-talk-games?page=8 |title=12 Top Indie Developers Talk Games |first=Colin |last=Campbell |date=December 18, 2012 |work=IGN |publisher=j2 Global |accessdate=August 8, 2013}} The game contains 100 campaign puzzles, a time trial mechanic, and 20 unlockable bonus levels focusing on precise platforming.{{Cite web|url = http://thegemsbok.com/art-reviews-and-articles/video-game-reviews-mid-week-mission-offspring-fling-kyle-pulver/|title = A Hidden Gauntlet: The Brutal Platformer Hiding Behind the Lovely Facade of Offspring Fling!|last = Podgorski|first = Daniel|date = September 23, 2015|website = The Gemsbok|access-date = July 2, 2016}}
Reception
Offspring Fling received positive reviews from critics upon release. On Metacritic, the game holds a score of 79/100 based on 4 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/offspring-fling/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Offspring Fling for PC Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |accessdate=20 December 2017}}