iaidoka_interlude

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic retro platforming experience reminiscent of classic NES titles.
Controls are responsive and improve with practice, making the gameplay satisfying once mastered.
At its low price point, the game provides decent entertainment value for fans of 2D platformers.

The difficulty spikes significantly in later stages, particularly stage 5, which can be frustrating for players.
Combat mechanics are overly simplistic, often reducing fights to button mashing without strategy.
There are no customization options for controls, which can hinder accessibility for some players.

graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The game's graphics are characterized by a retro pixel art style that some players find charming, while others criticize it as outdated and uninspired. There are no options for resolution adjustments or graphics settings, leading to a lack of customization. Overall, the visuals are described as bright and cute, with a psychedelic flair, but opinions vary widely on their quality and appeal.
- “Art style is nice.”
- “Psychedelic visuals and music.”
- “But, hey it was fun for a little bit, the visuals were bright and had a 'Jet Set Radio' feel to them.”
- “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
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it catchy and enjoyable, others note that it can become repetitive over time. Additionally, the lack of proper audio controls frustrates users, as they cannot easily turn off the background music. Overall, the music is often described as charming and fitting for the game's retro aesthetic, despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness and the game's overall presentation.
- “Just like Jump/Boxer, the music here is really nice to listen to.”
- “Psychedelic visuals and music.”
- “The music, the 8-bit graphics, and simple controls make this game great.”
- “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
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The gameplay is characterized by challenging platforming mechanics that some players find engaging, while others criticize it for being stiff and erratic, particularly in jumping and combat. Despite its cute aesthetic and low price point, the game has been described as having shallow mechanics and a steep learning curve, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution.
- “The platforming mechanics and sheer challenging gameplay make this an absolute must-have game for 2022.”
- “It gives off a lo-fi vibe which I feel goes well with the gameplay.”
- “Takes a while to learn the mechanics, so it makes you feel like you've learned something.”
- “This game is really stiff, and all you have to do is spam to defeat the enemies. In the second part, there is a section that is really hard because of the stiff gameplay.”
- “Brain-dead beat-em-up, and cheap platforming with shallow 'parkour' mechanics.”
- “It takes a while to learn the mechanics, which makes you feel like you've learned something.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The story in the game is generally viewed as decent but lacking depth, with many players feeling it doesn't prioritize a compelling narrative. Some reviewers noted a repetitive nature across the series, while others expressed disappointment in the absence of a meaningful plot or sense of accomplishment. Overall, the story seems to be an afterthought rather than a central focus of 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
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of Gamemaker Studio games, particularly highlighted by Jump/Boxer, is criticized for focusing on cash grabs and retro pixel aesthetics, often resulting in frustrating gameplay experiences that prioritize profit over quality.
- “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.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Players generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic outcomes that encourage multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of different difficulty levels and unlockable content further enhances the incentive to revisit the game. Overall, users appreciate the depth and diversity that contribute to a lasting engagement.
- “The replay value of this game is incredible; every playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and diverse character choices, I find myself coming back to explore new paths.”
- “The dynamic gameplay mechanics ensure that no two runs are ever the same, making it endlessly replayable.”
- “The game lacks significant replay value, as once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
- “After finishing the game, I found that the choices I made had minimal impact on the outcome, making replaying it feel pointless.”
- “While the gameplay is enjoyable, the lack of diverse endings or meaningful variations in playthroughs severely limits its replayability.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted approach, often relying on slapstick elements like repeated groin kicks, which some players found amusing despite the overall ease of the combat.
- “The humor in the game is spot on, with clever jokes and hilarious situations that keep you laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, with funny dialogue and absurd scenarios that make every moment enjoyable.”
- “The comedic timing in the cutscenes is fantastic, and the characters' quirky personalities add a delightful layer of humor to the gameplay.”