Nintendo Switch Code Provided by Keybol Games
Keybol Games and Neon Doctrine have unleashed a sharp-edged new 2D platformer, Jack Axe. The game is playable solo or co-op, and it’s available on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch consoles. Joining the ranks of other classic genres that are experiencing an indie revival, this title offers a challenging (and sometimes frustrating) experience that will remind you of games you played when you were a kid.
Story
The open-world game follows the adventures of the axe-wielding Jack and her sisters. Allowing up to four players to traverse and battle together in the various campaign and party modes, players will take on challenges and work together to complete levels.
Jack Axe is inspired by Filipino and Norse mythology where you’ll traverse the mythical world and complete difficult levels. You don’t get a lot of story within the game, which comes as a disappointment. Between the game’s description and the short story sequence early on in the game, you’ll learn that the gods lack faith in Jack’s ability to wield the “cursed” axe because she’s female.
Without giving a spoiler, I’ll simply point out that this is about the extent of the storyline for this game. You are a heroine in a man’s mythological world, and you’ve got something to prove. You must demonstrate you are just as worthy as a man to wield the axe.
Gameplay
While familiar basic 2D controls are used throughout the game, there’s a big twist on it. Coordination is key to completing levels, where you will do a lot of jumping, bouncing, and pulling yourself to your axe in mid-air. That last part is incredibly important and sets the game apart from others in the genre. When you toss your axe in any direction, you can then pull yourself towards it. This is essential to climbing certain areas, where you will jump off walls and toss your axe to the place you want to pull your character. It may sound straightforward, but it takes a bit of practice and speed.
While there’s certainly a learning curve to get the hang of the core gameplay, it’s not all about climbing and jumping places. You’ll need to collect coins and runes to open doors and gates with special keys, and ring bells to traverse the game’s map to return to previously explored areas. Returning to past locations is a great way to stock coins to unlock other areas of the game. Cosmetic upgrades are available for your character, using the coins you’ll collect throughout each level.
The game offers a decent variety of challenges and level design, which was a highlight of my playthrough. Colorful and varied, the levels bring the game to life. You should be warned though, the levels and character movement go at a much faster pace than a typical 2D platformer. You won’t have much time to sit and soak in the views!
What It Could Have Done Better
I feel like I’m saying the same critique to a lot of indie games lately. Not having a AAA budget shouldn’t be a reason or excuse to abandon having a decent story. Expensive cutscenes and CGI aren’t required to provide a good story narrative. I’d happily settle for an old-school set of written pop-ups every now and then, simply to know where I’m at in the story and the relevance of what I’m doing on each level.
A great story helps sell a game and keeps it memorable. I think this is especially important when you are entering a classic genre and trying to differentiate yourself from others in the same game space.
Verdict
I didn’t get the opportunity to try the co-op mode, so my experience was solely based on the single-player campaign. Aside from the weak storyline, this was a fun (albeit very difficult) game to play. The music and levels are very reminiscent of other classic 2D platformers. Using your axe to move and attack offered a fun twist that kept it interesting and challenging.
Jack Axe is a sharp-edged throwback to platformer games that we’ve all enjoyed for decades, and it’s absolutely worth checking out. Be prepared for a challenging experience and a fairly fast-paced style of gameplay. You can purchase the game today on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch.
