JustAxe takes me on a nostalgic trip back to the era of Adobe Flash games that dominated sites like Newgrounds and Kongregate. It’s a straightforward platformer, capturing the essence of those old-school games with its fluidity and controls reminiscent of that era. Newcomers to this style might find the sluggishness and game physics a bit off-putting. Unfortunately, for a console game set to be released in 2024, it doesn’t exactly set the right first impression.
You’ll notice the enemies are relentless, pursuing Martha, our protagonist, with a determination that might surprise you. Their aggression is so intense that they’ll climb over each other and fall into traps without hesitation just to reach her. The attacks from these foes sometimes send Martha flying unrealistically far, which is a classic hallmark of Flash-game physics.
The game’s control mechanics also echo those Flash days. Martha can run, jump, and swing her trusty axe as you would expect, but something feels off with the controls—they lack the fluidity you’d hope for. In one particular chase scene, instead of plunging Martha into the great beyond when she falls into a spiky pit, the game comically has her bounce off, getting damaged with each bounce. These small quirks reveal a level of unpolish that can be quite noticeable.
Admittedly, JustAxe isn’t a lengthy commitment. Clocking in at around three hours, it’s a game you can wrap up in an afternoon. The storyline is minimal, as you’d typically expect from a game of this nature. It serves well if you’re looking to kill some time—whether on a long train or bus ride, or perhaps at a family dinner where you’d rather be somewhere else. At least tackling these somewhat challenging levels and foes can provide a decent distraction from reality.
This review reflects my experience with a retail copy provided by the publisher.
