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Spout is a fun arcade-ish game from Japan that is best described as an "abstract caveflier/shooter". Similar to many Finnish freeware classics like V-Wing, your goal in Spout is simply to make your way safely from one level to the next, avoiding walls, floors, ceilings, and other obstacles along the way. In contrast to a typical caveflier, you can destroy your surroundings. The trick is that you cannot just shoot your way out. Your tiny spaceship continuously "spouts" noxious fumes from its rear engine as it is propelled forward. These fumes are the only thing that can destroy obstacles in your way. Since the fumes come out in the opposite direction your ship is moving, you are forced to maneuver in a spiral motion – rotating the ship constantly to destroy obstacles, while trying to stay on course. It is much easier said than done, and this little gameplay mechanic is what makes Spout both fun and innovative. The graphics take a minimalist approach; if you have played Kenta Cho's abstract shooters like rRootage or wireframe classics like Tempest, you have no cause for complaint here. Yet another proof of how little it takes to make a fun game – in this case, a tiny little ship and some innovative gameplay. Recommended, especially for fans of windowed coffee break games. Reviewed by: Underdogs | 
Spout 
