I just love finding obscure game authors that deserve to have at least 15 minutes of fame. Wilbefast, who I know through Wolfire Games, has created a fun little platforming gem that includes some interesting game mechanics and some challenging levels.

Abomination stars a deformed... thing with sharp claws, oddly misshapen legs, and a face only a mother could love and revolves around him desperately trying to get his lost teddy-bear back. You'll progress through various one-screen levels climbing walls, jumping across platforms, and shimmying your way towards your cute, fluff-filled friend.

What sets Abomination out from the crowd is its interesting platforming mechanics. Since your character has sharp claws, he can scale walls, climb up ledges, and shimmy along ceilings with ease. What adds even more to the game is its incorporation of various wall types. Wood, for instance, is your best friend as your claws can grip easily to this surface allowing you to sustain your grip indefinitely. Metal walls, on the other hand, are near impossible to grasp without the use of magnetic powerups conveniently located just out of reach.

The game does a decent job of introducing each mechanic; however, it can take a minute before you realize exactly what the game is trying to teach you. For instance, I died a dozen times on one particular level before realizing that in order to carefully climb down a ledge, you have to face away from it before you can descend. On a whole, though, Abomination demonstrates each feature gently before requiring heavy use of it in later levels.

Abomination does a great job of offering frustratingly addictive gameplay. You'll find yourself shouting obscenities at the monitor as you watch your character impale himself on the same set of spikes for the twentieth time in a row, much like you will when playing the similar game, Jumper (which also features a strange lab-accident). This isn't a bad thing, though.

Abomination is not without its faults, however. A lack in music isn't necessarily a bad thing, but combined with a lack of sound effects can make the game feel empty. You may not even notice, though, since the game is extremely short in length.

Overall, Abomination is a fun platforming game with some real potential that will eat up your Monday morning coffee break.