Jet Gunner
- August 4, 2014
- Sinclair Strange
Get on Steam"Jet Gunner" is a fast-paced, side-scrolling shooter game that features intense action and vintage graphics. As a mercenary named Sinclair, players must navigate through various levels while battling against hordes of enemies and powerful bosses. With a wide range of weapons and special abilities, players can customize their playstyle and strategize to overcome challenges. The game also includes local co-op mode for up to 4 players.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Authentic NES-style graphics and gameplay that successfully captures the retro feel.
- Challenging gameplay with a variety of weapons and mechanics, including a unique jetpack feature.
- Great value for the price, providing a nostalgic experience for fans of classic platformers.
- Significant issues with controller support, making it difficult to play without an Xbox controller.
- Frustrating enemy placement and bullet patterns that can feel unfair and punishing.
- Some weapons are poorly designed or ineffective, leading to a lack of balance in gameplay.
- gameplay50 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its retro jump-and-shoot mechanics, featuring a well-executed jetpack system that adds unique platforming challenges, though it may take some time to master. While the game offers tight controls and clever enemy design, some players find the difficulty to be more punishing than challenging, with a few poorly designed sections detracting from the overall experience. Overall, it provides a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic titles, though some aspects feel unoriginal and could benefit from refinement.
“Contra was well made all around, with specific enemy placement, gameplay tweaks, and generally a sense of design that always kept things fair for the player.”
“Pure retro jump-n-shoot gameplay from the NES era, good chiptune music, good controls, varied enemies and levels, does not become repetitive nor does it overstay its welcome.”
“The core element of the gameplay, the jet pack, worked well and added nice platforming challenges.”
“We have the return of the hated knockback mechanic so prevalent in Castlevania, Mega Man, DuckTales, and a multitude of other games.”
“The way fuel is handled though is perhaps my biggest complaint about the mechanic itself.”
“I have no issue with the game taking cues from nostalgic pieces, but it hasn't done much in terms of smoothing out some of the rougher edges of gameplay.”
- music30 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its retro chiptune style and nostalgic feel, while others find it underwhelming and not memorable compared to classic NES soundtracks. Although some describe the audio design as fitting and enjoyable, many express disappointment, suggesting that the music fails to match the overall quality of the game and could have benefited from more skilled composers. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as slightly above average, with a few standout moments, but it does not leave a lasting impression.
“The music and sound effects for this game are perfect.”
“Pure retro jump-n-shoot gameplay from the NES era, good chiptune music, good controls, varied enemies and levels, does not become repetitive nor does it overstay its welcome.”
“Amazing sprite work and 8-bit music.”
“That music is very annoying doesn't help either.”
“- sadly, the music doesn't compare to most decent NES games' OSTs, and is unfittingly quite poor in comparison to the rest of the game's quality.”
“+ slightly above average soundtrack (with a few exceptions)”
- graphics28 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their excellent retro aesthetic, effectively capturing the look and feel of classic NES titles while incorporating vibrant colors and detailed sprites. While some elements may blend together, the overall visual design is commended for its nostalgic charm and smooth execution, reminiscent of high-quality 8-bit games like Shovel Knight. Reviewers generally rate the graphics positively, noting their alignment with the intended retro style and gameplay experience.
“The visual aesthetic is very nice, with colors that absolutely pop, though certain foreground elements looked like background elements and vice versa.”
“Truly excellent graphics and sound design, with a feel that reminds one in particular of some of the finest Sunsoft games of the NES era.”
“The graphics are reminiscent of NES action games, but with a high level of detail, like Shovel Knight.”
“Graphics can be commended for it, as color limits per sprite and all effects this game has could also be displayed on the original NES (I won't say that palette is accurate though).”
“Jet Gunner has the palette and graphics you remember, but the controls are way more airtight and the whole experience is just smooth as silk.”
- story6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and lacks depth, which some players find acceptable given its homage to classic 8-bit titles. However, a recurring moral emphasizes resilience and the unpredictability of life, suggesting that perseverance can lead to unexpected outcomes.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“There really isn't a whole lot of a story to this game, but as it's emulating the classic 8-bit style games of old, I'm not really too concerned about it.”
“Story - -/10”
“Story - -/10”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has significant stability issues, with frequent glitches and bugs affecting hitbox and hit detection. Additionally, there are compatibility problems with Xbox controllers, further detracting from the overall experience.
“The game doesn't work with my Xbox controller properly; it sometimes glitches out a bit most of the time.”
“Really buggy hitbox and hit detection.”
“Pretty buggy.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting a nostalgic experience that transports them back to the 90s. This sense of nostalgia significantly enhances their overall enjoyment and engagement with the game.
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews suggest that the humor in the game is reminiscent of classic titles like "Clash at Demonhead," indicating a preference for a specific style of comedic writing. Players feel that if the humor doesn't reach this level of quality, it may detract from the overall experience.
“Either go for Ninja Gaiden-style quality, Clash at Demonhead-style humor or just don't bother.”
