A pseudo 8-bit action platformer taking a bit of inspiration from film-noir and samurai dramas, iaidoka_interlude applies a few parkour and fighting game influences to mix up familiarity with a little uniquity.
The game offers a nostalgic retro platforming experience that can be enjoyable for fans of the genre.
Controls are responsive and improve with practice, making the gameplay satisfying once you get the hang of it.
At its low price point, the game provides decent entertainment value, especially for those who appreciate challenging platformers.
The game suffers from a sudden difficulty spike in stage 5, which can be frustrating for players.
There are significant issues with unresponsive controls and clunky movement, making platforming challenging and sometimes unfair.
Lack of customization options for controls and audio settings limits accessibility and overall enjoyment.
graphics
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing the use of outdated retro pixel art and lack of resolution options or graphical settings. While some appreciate the bright and psychedelic visuals, others find them uninspired and lacking in quality, describing the overall aesthetic as cute but ultimately disappointing.
“The music, the 8-bit graphics, and simple controls make this game great.”
“But, hey it was fun for a little bit, the visuals were bright and had a 'Jet Set Radio' feel to them.”
“Art style is nice.”
“A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
“Really awful graphics, bad music, unresponsive controls, absolutely no settings at all combined with a 30 fps cap and XInput-only controller support which still requires pressing the number '1' from the keyboard to start the game...”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it catchy and enjoyable, others criticize the lack of audio controls, making it difficult to turn off the background music. The overall sentiment suggests that while the music complements the retro aesthetic, it may become repetitive over time. Additionally, the game's audio experience is marred by technical issues, such as the inability to adjust settings easily.
“The music is catchy, although I imagine it would get repetitive after a while, and the game looks like an old school arcade game, which is pretty cool.”
“The music, the 8-bit graphics, and simple controls make this game great.”
“Psychedelic visuals and music.”
“Bewilderingly, the game doesn't include proper audio controls, so you can't turn off the annoying background music; you'll need to alt+tab out and stop the music using the Windows sound mixer.”
“Really awful graphics, bad music, unresponsive controls, absolutely no settings at all combined with a 30 fps cap and XInput-only controller support which still requires pressing the number '1' from the keyboard to start the game...”
“The music is decent but the graphics are somewhat uninspired.”
gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The gameplay is characterized by challenging platforming mechanics that some players find enjoyable, though others criticize it for being stiff and erratic, particularly in jumping and combat. While the game offers a unique vibe and a sense of accomplishment as players learn the mechanics, it also features elements that can feel shallow and repetitive, leading to mixed reviews on its overall execution.
“The platforming mechanics and sheer challenging gameplay make this an absolute must-have game for 2022.”
“It gives off a lofi vibe which I feel goes well with the gameplay.”
“This game is really stiff, and all you have to do is spam to defeat the enemies. There is a part that is really hard because of the stiff gameplay.”
“Brain-dead beat-em-up, and cheap platforming with shallow 'parkour' mechanics.”
“Takes a while to learn the mechanics, so it makes you feel like you've learned something.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
60%
30%
The game's story is generally viewed as decent but lacking depth, with many players feeling it could have been improved. Critics note that the narrative does not seem to be a focal point, often feeling repetitive across the series, and lacks a compelling plot or sense of accomplishment. Overall, the story does not engage players significantly, contributing to a lack of interest in the game.
“I feel like the story is decent though it could've been improved, but honestly this game isn't made with a grand story in mind.”
“Hardly a success story; gamers just weren't all that interested in the game.”
“There is no plot that I saw, no feeling of accomplishment after beating bosses that were just enemies with more HP to make me try to play more.”
“Also, if anyone cares to notice, I’ve been referring to these games as a series, and that’s because I feel they may all be the same story.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for being exploitative, with users labeling it as a "cash grab" that relies on retro aesthetics and simplistic gameplay mechanics. The game's difficulty and repetitive nature further contribute to the perception of it being a low-effort product aimed at maximizing profit rather than providing a quality experience.
“Gamemaker Studio is most commonly used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs.”
“Jump/Boxer is a cash grab 8-bit action platformer with fighting game elements that requires repeatedly smashing the button to defeat an enemy, and the platforming is too hard.”
“Jump/Boxer is a cash grab 8-bit action platformer with fighting game elements that requires repeatedly smashing the button to defeat an enemy, and the platforming is too hard.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users consistently highlight the strong replay value of the game, noting that various choices, multiple endings, and diverse character interactions encourage players to return for different experiences. The game's design fosters exploration and experimentation, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted approach, often relying on slapstick elements like repeated groin kicks during fights, which players found amusing despite the overall ease of combat. This comedic touch adds a playful layer to the gameplay experience.
“The humor in the game is spot on, especially with the repeated groin kicks during fights. It adds a lighthearted touch that makes the gameplay enjoyable.”
“The game balances its challenges with a great sense of humor, particularly through the funny moments like the groin kicks that keep things entertaining.”
“I love how the game incorporates humor into its mechanics, especially with the hilarious groin kick moments that make even the easiest fights amusing.”