Jetboard Joust
- May 9, 2017
- bitbulldotcom
- 50h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Jetboard Joust" is an exhilarating arcade-style SHMUP where you wield a jetboard, master various weaponry, and battle against a horde of evil aliens threatening to abduct your babies. With a vast array of enemies, each with unique attacks, and an arsenal of upgradable weapons, players must dodge, leap, and blast their way through intense levels filled with explosions and non-stop action. Inspired by classics like Defender and Resogun, the game delivers a thrilling, bullet-filled experience emphasizing gunplay, death, and mayhem.
Xbox
Reviews
- Fast-paced gameplay with modern graphics and easy controls, providing a good amount of action and special effects.
- Engaging roguelite elements with a variety of weapons and the ability to unlock save points, allowing for enjoyable short sessions.
- Charming pixel graphics and a nostalgic feel that appeals to fans of classic arcade shooters like Defender and Joust.
- Many difficult battles and overpowered enemies, leading to a grindy experience and frustration during gameplay.
- The weapon loot system is poorly designed, with most weapons being inefficient and upgrades requiring excessive resources.
- Gameplay can become repetitive, with similar level layouts and overwhelming visual clutter making it hard to focus on objectives.
- gameplay42 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a hoverboard mechanic that allows for movement across the map while battling enemies, but it suffers from limitations in flexibility and weapon efficiency. Players can experience fast-paced, arcade-style action, though the variety of weapons is underwhelming, with only a few being effective in combat. While the game offers a challenging experience with good visuals and sound design, it can feel repetitive and clunky, lacking depth in weapon upgrades and tactical options.
“Lots of variety of weapons and the gameplay is fast and frenetic.”
“The game is very cool, a very well done arcade, with a series of different weapons which allows different approaches. The combat balance is good, gradually increasing the intensity and difficulty of the game, making it a challenging experience even for the most skilled players.”
“Jetboard Joust is not an easy game, but it is interesting and innovative in the roguelike genre. The gameplay is intense, the graphics are amazing, and the controls feel smooth. It's a very cool project that should gain more recognition.”
“The gameplay is repetitive, but it's an arcadey shooter.”
“The game gives the impression that you can play with multiple weapons, but during gameplay, the player will only be able to fully upgrade just one weapon, leaving all others weak.”
“The core gameplay is just a bit clunky and simplistic.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their charming retro pixel art and vibrant, garish colors that evoke a nostalgic arcade feel, enhanced by modern hardware capabilities. While many reviewers appreciate the overall visual style and sound design, some note that the screen can become cluttered, making it difficult to focus on gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, contributing to the game's appeal despite some criticisms of the core gameplay mechanics.
“I love the pixel graphics; it's so charming!”
“Perfectly captures the feeling of old-school lo-res visuals, but with the dynamic juice you can only get with modern hardware.”
“The simple fuzzy neon aesthetics and the acid colors give this game a really nice contrast.”
“The screen sometimes seems filled up with too much graphic noise to be able to concentrate on your goal of clearing them all out.”
“Aside from the visuals, the game is just extremely barebones and uninteresting from both an arcade and rogue perspective.”
“The visuals just don't read well.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game offers great replay value, providing a layer of depth that enhances the experience without detracting from its overall enjoyment. Players appreciate the balance between replayability and maintaining the game's core fun.
“Great replay value.”
“It's enough to add a layer of depth and replayability to the game but not too much to distract from the overall blast-fest.”
“It's enough to add a layer of depth and replayability to the game, but not too much to distract from the overall blast-fest.”
- story2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its innovative concept of a rescue mission set within a roguelike framework, offering a fresh take on the genre. Reviewers find it engaging, well-paced, and effectively tension-building, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
“The concept of a rescue mission set in a roguelike atmosphere is a real novelty in the genre. It's cool, engaging, and well-paced, creating just the right amount of tension for the player.”
“The story's unique blend of a rescue mission within a roguelike framework adds a fresh twist to the genre, making it both exciting and immersive.”
“The narrative is compelling, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you invested throughout the gameplay.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its over-the-top action and absurdity, particularly in the exaggerated combat scenarios involving a multitude of enemies and comically satisfying weapons. Players find the experience both entertaining and amusing, especially when engaging with the quirky alien abduction theme.
“Basically shoot everything - especially the aliens that are abducting the humanoids, only with a gazillion more enemies and weapons, most of which are very chunky and satisfying (sometimes downright hilarious) to use.”
