Jazzpunk

About

Jazzpunk is a single-player, comedy action game with a focus on exploration and humor. Players uncover an ingenious and hilarious story in a beautifully designed world, interacting with NPCs and playing mini-games like mini-golf and Duck Hunt with toast. Despite some bugs, the game boasts phenomenal mechanics and a spectacular soundtrack, making for a highly emotional experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,346 reviews

humor1.5k positive mentions

replayability23 negative mentions

humor
1,553 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Jazzpunk" is widely praised for its absurdity, surrealism, and clever references, often drawing comparisons to the style of Adult Swim shows. Players appreciate the game's rapid-fire jokes and quirky interactions, which create a unique comedic experience, though many note that the humor can be hit-or-miss depending on personal taste. While the game is consistently funny, its short length (around 2-4 hours) leaves some players wanting more, leading to mixed feelings about its overall value.
- “Being filled with the most random humor and gameplay elements, Jazzpunk feels like a pure drug trip.”
- “Jazzpunk is a funny, clever, and charming game.”
- “This game is hilarious and has many one-liners and gags that will make you burst out in laughter in all of the missions.”
- “It's just not funny or interesting or thought provoking.”
- “You are essentially walking around and experiencing goofy nonsense, and I found the nonsense I was presented with to be bland and unfunny by the time I had finished the game.”
- “The graphics and the overall tone of the game could have made for a good 60s-spy-thriller parody, but instead it just a garble of (mostly) unfunny jokes and an incoherent plot.”
story
530 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
74%
2%
The story of *Jazzpunk* is a quirky and absurd parody of spy narratives, featuring a secret agent named Polyblank who embarks on a series of bizarre missions filled with humor, pop culture references, and surreal interactions. While the main storyline is relatively short—typically completed in about two hours—players are encouraged to explore the richly detailed environments and engage with numerous side quests and hidden easter eggs, which significantly enhance the overall experience. The game prioritizes comedic elements over a deep narrative, making it a lighthearted adventure that thrives on its unique style and humor rather than a complex plot.
- “The story is complex and deep, with good music and effects to go with it.”
- “The story is absurd, yes, but everything is very well connected; everything makes sense in this ridiculous world.”
- “The story is hilarious, there are many jokes and references, and there are side quests and small exploration to do.”
- “The story isn't coherent enough to be intriguing, and not silly enough to be fun in a Monty Python way.”
- “The main plot revolves around your missions for a shady agency that feeds you lots of drugs, but the main story is actually kind of secondary to all the strange side-activities you can partake in to earn the achievements.”
- “I'm all for bizarre and wacky gameplay, but the lack of any deeper overarching storyline or humor to tie it all together quickly makes the game bland, predictable, and forgettable.”
gameplay
285 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
71%
7%
The gameplay of *Jazzpunk* is characterized by its simplicity and humor, often described as a blend of walking simulator and point-and-click adventure, with minimal challenge and a focus on exploration and comedic interactions. Players can expect around 2-4 hours of gameplay filled with quirky mini-games and absurd scenarios, but many reviewers note that the lack of depth and replayability may not justify the price. Overall, while the gameplay is not the main draw, the unique humor and creative design make it an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate its offbeat style.
- “An overall enjoyable experience with funny gags and creative gameplay that fits perfectly into the simplistic art style.”
- “Although the game is very short and the gameplay is simplistic, it has a lot of secrets and hidden jokes to find that make the game very enjoyable.”
- “Jazzpunk is exactly the kind of game I enjoy: simple gameplay, nonsensical plot, ridiculous situations, trippy art style, out of control soundtrack, and sharp humor.”
- “It didn't feel interesting walking around the world and there was no engaging gameplay besides the Frogger mini-game insert initially, so nothing grabbed me and I just didn't care to explore the game any further, because I feel the entertainment value of the game was nowhere near the value of my time.”
- “There's not much to do in terms of gameplay, either-- it feels like a 'dick around' simulator with elements of point-and-click adventure, but it gets abandoned in the last two hours of gameplay.”
- “While the humor is fast and loose, and it actually made me laugh out loud on a few occasions, Jazzpunk is lacking something important: gameplay.”
graphics
273 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
57%
2%
The graphics of Jazzpunk are characterized by a unique, retro-futuristic art style that blends simplicity with vibrant colors, creating a charming and surreal aesthetic. While not technically advanced, the visuals effectively complement the game's absurd humor and quirky gameplay, making for an engaging experience. Overall, the graphics are appreciated for their distinctiveness and ability to enhance the comedic elements, despite some critiques regarding their basic nature and occasional visual discomfort.
- “The game's art style is incredibly distinctive, with a retro-futuristic aesthetic that is both nostalgic and surreal.”
- “Jazzpunk is a very bizarre comedic adventure game with an amazing art style that I absolutely love.”
- “The visuals are low-poly, yet so clear and bright and goofy; they reminded me of the Jet Set Radio-esque Dreamcast era visuals.”
- “If you’re looking for something groundbreaking or with extreme graphics, keep looking.”
- “One quick glance over any screenshot from the game will tell you everything you need to know about Jazzpunk's graphics; there are no surprises and no breathtaking moments in the scenery, it all looks bland and basic.”
- “The gameplay takes a back seat for the most part and the visuals, while stylized, are rather understated.”
music
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
50%
5%
The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with many praising its jazzy, retro-inspired soundtrack that complements the quirky visuals and humor, while others criticize it for being repetitive and occasionally grating. Some players appreciate the unique blend of styles and the way the music enhances the game's atmosphere, while others find it forgettable or annoying. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a fitting, if not universally loved, accompaniment to the game's absurd and colorful world.
- “The soundtrack is top-notch, featuring a mix of jazz, swing, and lounge music that perfectly complements the game's world and atmosphere.”
- “The music is really interesting in that oftentimes it's a part of the level itself; you'll hear different songs attached to different buildings or areas, and it does a great job in making each level feel varied.”
- “Jazzpunk is exactly the kind of game I enjoy: simple gameplay, nonsensical plot, ridiculous situations, trippy art style, out of control soundtrack, and sharp humor.”
- “Except the repetitive jazz horn background music at the beginning, which was kind of like the soundtrack to my nightmares.”
- “I think one of the most disappointing aspects of this game is the soundtrack.”
- “The music can get absolutely annoying though.”
replayability
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
62%
24%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players find it enjoyable and packed with humor, they often note its short length (around 2-4 hours) and limited replay value due to predictable jokes and linear gameplay. Some players appreciate the opportunity to explore for hidden content and achievements, but many agree that the experience doesn't warrant a high price tag, suggesting it’s best to buy on sale. In summary, while the game offers a fun initial playthrough, its lack of substantial replayability may leave players feeling unsatisfied after completion.
- “There is so much content and references and little interactive things throughout the whole game that the replayability is pretty high.”
- “This game is genuinely fun to play and will definitely have you coming back to continue progression, or to play it all over again from the start (making replay value extremely high).”
- “While it is short, it's still replayable, and will be just as fun, if not more fun than the first time you played it.”
- “The only downsides are that there isn't much replayability if you've already explored the game in a previous playthrough, the settings are a bit limited, and the price is a little bit much for a short game like this.”
- “Sadly after you complete it, it has no replay value.”
- “The game was over in less than 3 hours, and that's with exploring every area as much as possible, talking to all NPCs, doing side missions, getting lost a few times, etc. It doesn't seem like this game would have much if any replayability.”
atmosphere
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
32%
8%
The atmosphere of Jazzpunk is widely praised for its unique blend of surrealism, humor, and retro-futuristic aesthetics, creating an engaging and immersive experience. The game's vibrant environments, quirky art style, and a catchy soundtrack featuring jazz and lounge music contribute significantly to its distinctive charm. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the comedic elements that enhance the overall atmosphere, making it a memorable and enjoyable walking simulator.
- “The soundtrack is also top-notch, featuring a mix of jazz, swing, and lounge music that perfectly complements the game's world and atmosphere.”
- “The style and atmosphere that this game has is absolutely breathtaking and has been one of my favorite games for years now.”
- “The atmosphere presented in this game is very enticing.”
- “The atmosphere is weird.”
- “Each area is thick with the weirdest atmosphere you can imagine, and I found myself distracted by the aesthetic on more than one occasion.”
- “The humour of the first level didn't really work for me, but as it progressed there were frequent laugh-out-loud moments, and the atmosphere started to reel me in.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
94%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including freezing issues and game-breaking errors. While some users have experienced only minor glitches, others have faced significant problems that hinder their experience, particularly during critical moments. Overall, the game is described as "kind of buggy" but not universally unplayable, with some players finding ways to enjoy it despite its flaws.
- “Hilarious and absurd, and best of all, it runs great on my old laptop.”
- “The game is incredibly stable, with no crashes or glitches during my playthrough.”
- “I appreciate how smoothly everything runs; it makes for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “Only way to play is to turn v-sync on and use a controller and even still it freezes consistently.”
- “Game freezes entire computer during one of the necessary parts of the first mission...can't alt tab...task manager...nothing.”
- “Further held back by a mountain of glitches and unsatisfying controls, I cannot recommend this game.”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional responses to the game vary widely, with some players experiencing deep laughter and joy, while others felt a profound sense of emptiness or sadness. While one player described it as a hilarious experience that brought them to tears, another found it to be an emotional trainwreck that left them feeling heartbroken. Additionally, some users noted that the graphics affected their physical comfort, contributing to a mixed emotional experience overall.
- “One of the two games that have made me cry.”
- “This game was an extremely emotional trainwreck and it made me cry for hours on end.”
- “The style was absolutely heartbreaking and it hurt me so when it had finished... this game left me empty inside wanting more, as it dragged me through otherworldly pleasure of amazing beauty, such heartwarming feelings.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
33%
56%
Reviews indicate that the grinding in the game is often seen as tedious and annoying, with many players feeling it requires excessive time investment. While some segments are enjoyable, the overall experience is marred by repetitive mini-games and fetch quests, leading to a mixed reception regarding the grinding aspect.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “There are a few segments which are unique and fun to play, but the vast majority just comes off as annoying and tedious.”
- “It's quite funny in parts, usually during some of the in-between moments when you're not slogging through tedious mini-games or completing fetch quests, some of which are admittedly quite good.”
- “We all know that achievement games are sometimes tedious and boring.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The optimization of Jazzpunk receives mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues and labeling it as poorly optimized, while others report solid framerates and commend its performance even on older hardware. Overall, the game's optimization appears inconsistent, leading to a divided player experience.
- “The game's framerate was rock-solid, and I was extremely impressed by the performance in general (I even managed to livestream it from my 6-year-old laptop).”
- “The performance is beautiful and the jokes are really funny!”
- “[b]Performance[/b] 9/10”
- “My computer can run very demanding games but not this one; it has nothing to do with hardware, it's just the most poorly optimized game in history.”
- “Didn't like the jokes; game optimization is non-existent.”
- “As an added bonus, if you watch someone else play it, you likely won't have to suffer through the complete lack of optimization.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking depth and challenge, leading some players to lose interest over time. While the aesthetics, graphics, and character design are praised, the overall experience may feel superficial, making it less engaging for those seeking meaningful character progression.
- “The story and character development are truly engaging, making the gameplay experience memorable.”
- “If you love silly games and interesting character design, I recommend buying or playing this game if you have some extra money in your pocket and a few hours to spare.”
- “I do really like the aesthetics, the graphics, character design, and the audio; it is actually a pleasant game to play from that point of view.”
- “It's like one of those games that's intensely interesting for a short while, but sooner or later you realize that you might not bother finishing it because a) there doesn't seem to be much of a real challenge and b) there's not any real concept of character development or depth.”