JustAxe takes me back to the days of Adobe Flash games reminiscent of the Newgrounds and Kongregate era, when simple platformers ruled the roost. It has that familiar fluidity in movement and controls, which some might find charming. However, for gamers who haven’t witnessed such titles, the sluggishness and odd game physics may be off-putting. Honestly, it doesn’t quite meet the expectations for a console game slated to release in 2024.
In the game, you guide little Martha, and let me tell you, the enemies are downright relentless. They’re so fixated on catching her that they’ll fall victim to traps and crevices, sacrificing themselves in their fervor. When these foes do manage to attack Martha, their strength sends her flying back, defying any sense of real-world physics. It’s this signature Flash-game physics at play.
Navigating the world of JustAxe is also rife with this Flash influence. Martha runs, jumps, and swings her trusty axe, but the controls often feel a tad clumsy. Take, for example, a level with a seemingly lethal spiky pit. Instead of plummeting to her doom, Martha just awkwardly bounces off its surface, incurring damage with each rebound. Little quirks like this give the game a somewhat unpolished feel.
The silver lining is that JustAxe is a quick experience, clocking in at around three hours – perfect for polishing off in a single afternoon. The story doesn’t offer much depth, which isn’t surprising for this type of game, but it’s a decent distraction for times when you need one, like a long commute or awkward family gatherings. It might be frustrating at times, but it successfully pulls focus from real life as you tackle its challenging levels and pesky enemies.
This review is based on a retail copy of the game that was provided by the publisher.
