Jack Dragon and the Stone of Peace
- October 18, 2023
- PsychicParrot
Jack Dragon and the Stone of Peace is a retro love letter to 80s and 90s arcade games. Avoid nasties, jump on platforms, glide around the screen and collect gems! Sounds easy, right? Gameplay: Collect all of the gem pieces to progress to the next level. Avoid touching the nasties. Collect the snowflake power up to freeze enemies in place (you are an ice dragon, after all!). Controls: Tap t…
Reviews
- Jack Dragon offers a charming retro vibe with addictive gameplay reminiscent of classic arcade titles like Bomb Jack and Bubble Bobble.
- The game features a cute protagonist and a variety of power-ups, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
- It runs smoothly on multiple platforms, including Steam Deck and desktop Linux, providing a great casual gaming experience.
- Some players wish for more enemy types and names, as well as clearer indicators for in-game mechanics like the Gem Chain.
- The hand-drawn style of certain level completion graphics feels out of place compared to the overall retro aesthetic.
- Active game elements can blend too much with the backgrounds, making it difficult to distinguish them during gameplay.
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a nostalgic homage to classic retro arcade titles, featuring a minimalistic yet addictive jump-catch mechanic reminiscent of games like Bubble Bobble and Bomb Jack. Players engage in non-violent action-puzzle elements, focusing on collecting crystals while avoiding charming monsters, which encourages optimization and repeated attempts for mastery. Overall, the game successfully blends retro aesthetics with engaging mechanics, making it both accessible and enjoyable.
“Visuals, music, and gameplay gloriously emulate the style of the olden days.”
“This is a love letter to retro arcade games like Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands, but with even more minimal gameplay, and the jump-catch mechanic is addictive.”
“This non-violent gameplay makes this an action-puzzle game, as each level's adorable monsters have to be avoided, leading you to optimize your play style on repeated attempts.”
“This game actually makes a bit more sense than games like Bomb Jack while having the same very playable 'jump and grab' mechanic.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a standout feature, evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like Bubble Bobble, and is described as cheerful and carefree, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While it may not appeal to all prog rock enthusiasts, it effectively complements the game's retro style and adventurous themes.
“The music is a real highlight and reminiscent of Bubble Bobble, while the gameplay is similar to Bomb Jack.”
“The music will not thrill every prog rock fanatic, but it is delightfully carefree and cheerful as you guide Jack on his numerous missions to 'scale' the heights and defeat the dangerous villain.”
“Visuals, music, and gameplay gloriously emulate the style of the olden days.”
“The music will not thrill every prog rock fanatic, but it is delightfully carefree and cheery as you guide Jack on his numerous missions to 'scale' the heights and defeat the dangerous villain.”
“The music is a real highlight and reminiscent of Bubble Bobble, whilst the gameplay is similar to Bomb Jack.”
“The visuals, music, and gameplay gloriously emulate the style of the olden days.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their nostalgic charm, effectively capturing the style of classic games while enhancing the overall experience. The vibrant visuals contribute significantly to the game's cheerful atmosphere, making it a standout feature.
“The visuals, music, and gameplay gloriously emulate the style of the olden days.”
“An instantly cheerful and clever formula, this game is elevated by its aesthetic; I really like it!”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making them look flat and unappealing.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, failing to create an immersive experience.”
- story2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The story follows Jack, a 'Robin Hood' character on a quest to collect wealth and a magical peace crystal to restore fairness to the land. Players embark on various missions to confront a dangerous villain, all set against a backdrop of cheerful and carefree music.
“My spoiler-free story summary would be that Jack is something of a 'Robin Hood' character, and you're collecting the wealth of the land and/or a magical peace crystal to restore some fairness to all.”
“The music will not thrill every prog rock fanatic, but it is delightfully carefree and cheery as you guide Jack on his numerous missions to 'scale' the heights and defeat the dangerous villain.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters or care about their journey.”
“The plot twists are predictable, and the overall narrative fails to engage, leaving players feeling uninvested in the outcome.”
“Despite the interesting premise, the execution of the story is lackluster, resulting in a forgettable experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of bugs at release and is noted for not being cluttered with ads or aggressive monetization tactics, distinguishing it from typical mobile titles.