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Playing JustAxe feels like stepping back into the golden era of Adobe Flash games, reminiscent of when platforms like Newgrounds and Kongregate were all the rage. It’s a basic platformer, carrying that distinctive Flash-game vibe in terms of both controls and feel. If you’re new to this style, prepare yourself—its sluggishness and quirky physics might leave you a bit baffled, especially considering it’s a console release set for 2024.
When maneuvering through the game, you’ll quickly notice how relentlessly the enemies pursue Martha, the character you control. They’re so determined to reach her that they’ll pile up on one another and risk traps and falls, all in an attempt to close in on her. And when they do manage to strike, Martha gets launched what feels like yards away, defying any sense of realistic physics. This is the Flash-game realm we’re dealing with, after all.
Controlling Martha involves the usual sprinting, jumping, and wielding her trusty axe; however, something about it feels less smooth than it should. During certain chase sequences, for instance, you’d expect that falling into a pit of spikes would end matters swiftly. Instead, Martha ends up bouncing off them repeatedly, taking damage each time but not quite meeting her end. It’s these small quirks that make the game feel somewhat unfinished.
Luckily, JustAxe isn’t a marathon. It’s a brisk three-hour experience you can wrap up in an afternoon. The storyline is minimal, which is typical for this kind of game. It serves as a perfect distraction during long commutes or that family dinner you’d rather skip mentally. At the very least, tackling its somewhat irritating challenges and foes will divert your attention from the real world.
This review is based on a retail copy provided by the publisher.
