September 28, 2018
Rohan Narang

Jack N' Jill DX

As an anachronistic curio it fits well among a growing stable of small, simple experiences to take on the go. Getting it off the phone and onto dedicated game consoles lends it an air of importance that the game design doesn’t always back up, but it has an endearing style and gratifying challenge enough to warrant reuniting the two oft-imperiled blobs.

81%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

95% User Score Based on 42 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

Jack N' Jill DX is a single player action game. It was developed by Rohan Narang and was released on September 28, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Once upon a time, Jack and Jill, went up the hill, to fetch a pail of water. It didn’t particularly end well for them, and to be honest, things aren’t exactly great for another Jack and Jill either. In Jack N’ Jill DX, players must assume the role of Jack, overcoming many hazards, in a bid to reach Jill, who awaits him at the end of 140 levels, in typical old-school one-button platformer fashion!…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

gameplay3 negative mentions

Charming retro aesthetics and simple one-button controls make it accessible and enjoyable for casual play.
The game features a good amount of content with 140 levels and various mini-games, providing a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic handheld games.
Level design introduces new mechanics and challenges, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging despite its simplicity.

The game can become repetitive quickly, with many players completing all achievements in a short amount of time.
Lack of checkpoints and a low fault tolerance can lead to frustrating gameplay, especially in longer levels.
Visuals and controls are locked, limiting customization options and contributing to a feeling of low quality compared to modern standards.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay is primarily focused on basic puzzle platforming with a retro feel, featuring a character that automatically moves forward and can only jump, which can make timing challenging. While initially simple, the game introduces new mechanics like flying and climbing as players progress, adding variety and complexity to the experience. Overall, it offers a fun yet shallow gameplay experience that becomes more engaging with each new level.
- “As you progress through the levels, new mechanics will be introduced, such as flying, climbing up and down ladders, activating switches, jumping off walls, elevators and moving platforms, and being shot from cannons.”
- “At first this all felt very simple for me, but with every so many levels and each new world, Jack n' Jill DX adds some more gameplay variety to keep the experience fresh.”
- “Gameplay consists of basic puzzle platforming, and there's some included minigames that add little value to a mostly shallow retro experience.”
- “It's a bit strange to have a character who can only jump and move forward automatically; it can be hard to manage, and the timing must be really tight.”
- “It's mechanically very simple, but gets more complicated and challenging fairly quickly.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The graphics of the game are intentionally simplistic, embracing a retro pixel art style reminiscent of early 90s handheld games, particularly the Game Boy aesthetic. While some players appreciate the nostalgic visuals and find them effective for the gameplay, the resolution and controls are fixed, limiting customization options. Overall, the visuals evoke a charming, old-school vibe that complements the game's straightforward mechanics.
- “I went in without any expectations, but the graphics and some of the gameplay I saw appealed to me.”
- “A cross between an endless runner and an old-school puzzle-platformer (complete with monochrome Game Boy aesthetics and Kirby-esque visuals), Jack and Jill DX has a very simple goal: to reunite Jack the blob with his equally blobby girlfriend, Jill (who, in true Ms. Pac-Man fashion, looks just like Jack but wearing a bow).”
- “The graphics are very simple, but effective at capturing that early 90's handheld game look.”
- “Resolution and controls are locked, and can't be changed or customized to improve the visuals or the control experience.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game features catchy, nostalgic tunes reminiscent of classic Game Boy soundtracks, which many players find enjoyable. However, some users note that the music can become monotonous over time. Overall, it contributes positively to the gaming experience, with many recommending the game for its engaging soundtrack.
- “The soundtrack is incredibly catchy.”
- “This is one of my favorite games so far; I enjoy most of the levels, and the music is awesome. I would recommend anyone to try this game out.”
- “The music reminds me a bit of the old Game Boy.”
- “The catchy music starts to feel a bit monotone after a while.”