Jetboard Joust
- May 9, 2017
- bitbulldotcom
- 50h median play time
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Get on itch.io StoreJetboard Joust is an intense, arcade-style, 'bullet hell' SHMUP in which you must master a vast array of ridiculous weaponry in order to defeat a race of evil aliens who are intent on abducting your babies and turning them into mutants. Think Defender meets Resogun meets Enter the Gungeon. Don't expect a story. Do expect action, gunplay, death and explosions. Lots and lots of explosions. The Jet…
Reviews
- Fast-paced gameplay with modern graphics and easy controls, providing a fun arcade experience.
- Variety of weapons and upgrades that keep the gameplay engaging, with a nostalgic retro aesthetic.
- Challenging yet rewarding, with a good balance of difficulty and progression through levels.
- Many battles and bosses are overly difficult, leading to frustration and a grindy experience.
- The controls can feel clunky and awkward, making movement and aiming challenging.
- Repetitive level design and enemy variety can lead to boredom over time.
- gameplay21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced, arcade-style action using a hoverboard, but it suffers from clunky mechanics and limited weapon efficiency, with only a few weapons proving effective after extensive playtime. While the game offers a variety of weapons and tactical elements, players may find it repetitive and frustrating due to the lack of meaningful upgrades and the challenge of managing ammo during intense boss battles. Overall, it provides an enjoyable, albeit simplistic, experience that appeals to fans of retro shooters.
“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 upgrades are cool, and the combat balance is good, gradually increasing the intensity and difficulty of the game.”
“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.”
“The gameplay is a bit repetitive, but it's an arcade-style shooter.”
“The core gameplay is just a bit clunky and simplistic.”
“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.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their modern take on retro aesthetics, featuring charming pixel art and vibrant colors that evoke a nostalgic feel while utilizing contemporary hardware capabilities. However, some players note that the visuals can become overwhelming, leading to a cluttered screen that detracts from gameplay focus. Overall, the game's strong visual style and sound design contribute positively to the experience, despite some criticisms regarding clarity and gameplay mechanics.
“I love the pixel graphics; it's so charming!”
“Perfectly captures the feeling of old-school low-res visuals, but with the dynamic juice you can only get with modern hardware.”
“Massive fan of the retro graphics and sound effects; there should be more games like this on console!”
“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.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers great replay value, adding a layer of depth that enhances the experience without detracting from its overall enjoyment.
“Great replay value.”
“It adds a layer of depth and replayability to the game without distracting from the overall fun.”
“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.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its innovative concept of a rescue mission set in a roguelike environment, which adds a fresh twist to the genre. Reviewers find it engaging and well-paced, effectively creating tension for players.
“The concept of a rescue mission set in a roguelike environment 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 is intricately woven, with each character's backstory adding depth and richness to the overall narrative.”
“I was captivated by the plot twists and emotional depth of the story, making every decision feel impactful.”
- humor1 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 chaotic combat against aliens and the exaggerated weaponry, which players find both satisfying and often hilarious.
“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.”
