Jack Move

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 370 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Jack Move Game Cover
Jack Move is a sensational RPG that won’t take you months to complete, with a gripping story and fantastic combat.
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Jack Move is a unique blend of gritty cyberpunk story telling, turn based battles and beautiful modern pixel art. Take on the role of Noa, a vigilante hacker who is thrust into a world of murder, kidnapping and dark research after her father goes missing.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 370 reviews
story94 positive mentions
grinding37 negative mentions
  • The pixel art and animations are stunning, creating a visually appealing experience.
  • The soundtrack fits the game's atmosphere perfectly and enhances the overall enjoyment.
  • The combat system, while simple, allows for strategic planning and customization with the RAM and software mechanics.
  • The game is very short, taking around 6-10 hours to complete, which may leave players wanting more content.
  • The story feels rushed and lacks depth, with many characters and plot points not fully explored.
  • The combat can become repetitive and easy, especially after leveling up, leading to a lack of challenge in battles.
  • story276 mentions

    The game's story is generally described as a straightforward and familiar cyberpunk narrative, featuring themes of loss and corporate conflict, but lacking depth and originality. While some players found the characters charming and the writing enjoyable, many criticized the plot for being predictable, short (around 6-10 hours), and filled with clichés. Overall, the story is seen as serviceable but not groundbreaking, with potential for expansion in future installments.

    • “I enjoyed the story, I liked the characters and their writing, the setting was neat and the ending was good enough for me.”
    • “The story is captivating, the characters endearing.”
    • “The story is interesting and innovative, the characters are likeable, and you hate the villains completely.”
    • “The main story is rather short - like 5 to 6 hours and then you have 1-2 hours of side quests.”
    • “The game's story is a boring copy of a story you've seen a dozen times before; it doesn't attempt to do anything different, just be a carbon copy.”
    • “The story is very dull.”
  • gameplay131 mentions

    The gameplay of *Jack Move* is a mixed bag, with many players finding it to be a straightforward yet repetitive turn-based RPG experience reminiscent of classic SNES titles. While the combat mechanics, including a rock-paper-scissors style of weaknesses and a software-swapping system, offer some charm and strategic depth, they often lack engagement and complexity, leading to a monotonous experience over time. Overall, the game is visually appealing and features a solid story, but its gameplay may not satisfy those seeking deeper mechanics or challenge.

    • “For the very fair price they are asking for this game, you'll get a straightforward story that works well enough, a simple but effective combat system with rock-paper-scissors-like weakness mechanics, and charming, lovable characters.”
    • “The gameplay is a love letter to the old JRPGs on the Super Nintendo.”
    • “Jack Move captures that cyberpunk aesthetic and delivers it in a fast, punchy, and mechanically easy-to-understand RPG experience that's a joy to play through.”
    • “The main problem lies in the game's progression and gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is shallow, masking traditional rock/paper/scissors behind unfitting tech lingo, with customization largely just being what flavor of rock, or paper, or scissors do you want.”
    • “There is little challenge or creativity in the gameplay of Jack Move, which just repackages the typical turn-based RPG gameplay into a cyberpunk-colored paper bag.”
  • music117 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its ability to enhance the cyberpunk atmosphere and its catchy, engaging tracks reminiscent of classic game soundtracks. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive and not all tracks are memorable, the overall quality and fit within the game's aesthetic were highlighted as standout features. Many reviewers expressed a desire for more musical variety, but overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset to the game's experience.

    • “The music is absolutely killer, like a throwback to the Sega era of game music, but with modern production; throughout the beginning of the game, I kept finding myself exclaiming 'damn!' every time a new song came on, and at one point thinking 'I didn't think we were allowed to make games with soundtracks this good anymore.'”
    • “The music fits perfectly with the cyberpunk vibe.”
    • “The music is very good here and stands out as a high point; unfortunately, though there are only a handful of musical tracks, so it does get a bit repetitive. Luckily, the tracks that are there are excellent, so it never feels annoying.”
    • “The music is typical electronic-cyberpunk game music and adds almost nothing to the overall experience; perhaps the most irritating thing is that during the final fight, it cuts to silence, which made the final fight even more agonizingly slow-feeling.”
    • “The music isn't anything I'd bop to outside of the game, save for a few tracks that are pretty groovy, but they do convey the atmosphere of the game well.”
    • “However, there were times when the music got in the way of the story. For example, when Noa is all depressed that her dad died, the music is the regular theme for the area she's in, and it does not fit at all.”
  • graphics79 mentions

    The graphics of "Jack Move" are widely praised for their vibrant pixel art style and impressive animations, effectively capturing a charming cyberpunk aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the game's beautiful visuals and solid art direction, which contribute significantly to its overall atmosphere and appeal, despite some critiques regarding gameplay depth. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing the nostalgic feel of the game while providing a visually engaging experience.

    • “The visuals are utterly gorgeous in every way and while the game isn't outstanding in other aspects, it doesn't fall flat either.”
    • “Not the longest RPG experience, but with beautiful pixel graphics and a stellar soundtrack, this is one short but sweet package.”
    • “This game simply oozes with style from every point; graphics and animations for its 2D style are absolutely top notch for this type of game.”
    • “It's north-of-mediocre in terms of story, graphics, and gameplay.”
    • “One additional note: despite the colorful saturated art style, I would not recommend the game for children as there are topics around death and a scene where people are shot in a pixel art graphical style that has blood.”
    • “This game simply oozes with style from every point, graphics and animations for its 2D style are absolutely top notch for this type of game.”
  • grinding39 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while some players find it necessary for leveling up and preparing for challenging bosses, others feel it becomes tedious and detracts from the overall enjoyment. Many appreciate the option to reduce or disable random encounters, allowing for a more streamlined experience, but note that the final bosses can still require significant grinding or "cheesing" to defeat. Overall, the game strikes a balance between rewarding grinding and maintaining a relatively short playtime, though some players wish for a more engaging combat system to alleviate the grind.

    • “My main critique with the game is that the difficulty is on the easy side even with little to no grinding, except for the last two bosses that will take great pride in kicking you in the teeth and draining your recovery items.”
    • “Not too difficult (only died at the final boss a few times) and not very grindy.”
    • “The final boss is especially annoying, but you can cheese it and there is also an option that allows you to instantly win a battle, which after a few tries I resorted to as I did not feel like grinding for an hour or two.”
    • “Leveling up your abilities or your character's level becomes impossible in the third act without heavy grinding, just because of how large of a disparity there is between how much experience you need to level abilities up, and how much experience you get per fight late game.”
    • “The majority of the game is spent grinding to level up.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of charming dialogue, goofy puns, and lighthearted moments, often enhancing the overall experience. While some players appreciate the funny character interactions and animations, others feel that the reliance on technology-related jokes detracts from the story's potential depth. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor that appeals to fans of quirky, nerdy adventures.

    • “The story is amazing, the gameplay is rock solid, and the characters/dialogue is absolutely hilarious!”
    • “Jack Move actually encourages you to talk to NPCs not just for questing but for funny banter.”
    • “A beautiful pixel art world, clearly crafted with love and attention, and filled with charm by cool, unusual characters and funny dialogue.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its impressive graphics, art style, and immersive storytelling, creating a captivating world that enhances the overall experience. The soundtrack, while not universally appealing outside the game, effectively complements the atmosphere, contributing to a solid RPG experience. Overall, players appreciate the blend of aesthetic appeal and engaging gameplay that fosters a rich and enjoyable environment.

    • “Pretty graphics, great atmosphere, solid RPG system, and good story overall.”
    • “The atmosphere and aesthetic of the game world are super cool.”
    • “The atmosphere is really nice, and feels quite realistic.”
    • “The music isn't anything I'd bop to outside of the game, save for a few tracks that are pretty groovy, but they do convey the atmosphere of the game well.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the reviews indicate a significant lack of replayability in the game, with many players noting its short length, straightforward gameplay, and absence of features like New Game+ or difficulty options. While a few users appreciated the witty writing and found some enjoyment in replaying it, the consensus leans towards it being a one-time experience with minimal incentive to revisit.

    • “Damn good game, witty writing, high replayability.”
    • “I hope for a second game with three or more times the content and story and maybe more playable characters.”
    • “I don't think there's any replay value at all, and I think if you've played a single JRPG in your life, you've seen everything Jack Move has to offer.”
    • “The negative reviews are not wrong; it was short and fairly shallow, straightforward, and not much replay value.”
    • “There is no New Game+ nor any difficulty options, so replayability is low.”
  • stability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with most players reporting only minor glitches that do not significantly hinder gameplay. While some users noted occasional bugs, particularly with NPCs and enemy variety, the game runs smoothly and supports various resolutions effectively.

    • “The game runs great, and despite being a pixelated game, it has support for all resolutions.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs; the stability is impressive.”
    • “The performance is smooth, and I can play for hours without any issues.”
    • “Gameplay is tragic, buggy, enemies don't have moves, zero enemy variety, not much variety in your own moves, and is less than half baked.”
    • “Pixel art is very smooth and nice, wish there was voice acting and the NPCs can be a little buggy sometimes.”
    • “There were a couple glitches here and there, but overall it didn't get in the way of enjoying the game.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of humor and serious themes, particularly through the relationship of two gay men, which adds depth to the narrative. However, some players feel that the story lacks engagement and fails to deliver a full emotional connection, often pulling back from deeper moments. Overall, while there are touching elements and comedic relief, the execution leaves some players wanting more.

    • “The dialogue may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it amusing, and I thought the emotional elements were balanced overall with light-hearted and even comedically dark NPC dialogue.”
    • “A lot of the early emotional beats are built around the relationship of two gay men.”
    • “Touching story and light-hearted laugh-to-survive comedy woven into the gritty reality of the cyberpunk genre.”
    • “The linear and boring story follows a petulant child on their quest to solve daddy issues.”
    • “The emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I felt no real stakes or emotional investment in the narrative.”
  • character development5 mentions

    The game offers a compelling story within its brief 10-hour playtime, but character development is limited, particularly for the main characters Noa and Ryder, who could benefit from deeper backstories. The antagonist is notably one-dimensional, and while the game's visuals are appealing, inconsistencies in character design detract from the overall experience. Overall, the lack of progression and character development is a significant drawback.

    • “It's not too long, making it feasible to beat with a busy schedule, but despite only being 10 hours long it still offers a compelling story with good character development.”
    • “And the details in area and character designs are noticeable.”
    • “However, it suffers from a one-dimensional antagonist while the main characters (Noa and Ryder) could be better with longer backstory and character development.”
    • “There is little to no progression or character development, because the entire game is only about 7 hours long.”
    • “Graphically, the game is nice with a lot of neon light personality, although I would gripe that game Noa, animation Noa, and game Noa are three completely different character designs, and personally, I just feel that game Noa's design falls the flattest with the bob haircut, while the banner Noa, with the jacket and flowing hair, has so much personality in design that just doesn't exist anywhere in the game.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting excellent performance on both Steam Deck and PC, scoring a perfect 10/10. However, some players note that poorly-optimized builds can lead to prolonged fights, which may detract from the overall experience but are not considered game-breaking.

    • “Steam Deck performance - 10/10”
    • “PC performance - 10/10”
    • “A poorly-optimized build will generally just result in fights dragging on longer than you feel they should, rather than any of it being a deal breaker in the fight.”
    • “The game suffers from significant performance issues, making it frustrating to play, especially during intense moments.”
    • “I often experience lag and stuttering, which disrupts the flow of gameplay and makes it hard to enjoy the experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Jack Move

Play time

8hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
7-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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