Juiced!
- April 23, 2020
- Timothy van der Hoeven
Get on Steam"Juiced!" is a 2D platformer where players control treasure hunter Tiko in a quest to find Eternal Crystals before an evil wizard does, in a single-player or local co-op multiplayer mode with adjustable difficulty. The game features over 15 unique worlds, 80 enemies, 30 weapons, and powerups, with a promise of over 10 hours of gameplay, including bonus stages, unlockable challenges and outfits, and a catchy synthesizer soundtrack.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Windows
Android
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- Juiced! is a charming homage to 90s platformers, featuring smooth controls, creative level design, and a variety of engaging environments and enemies.
- The game offers a nostalgic experience with a well-written story and enjoyable cutscenes, making it a delightful adventure for fans of the genre.
- At its low price point, Juiced! provides hours of fun and lighthearted gameplay, with numerous power-ups and challenges that keep the experience fresh.
- The game's presentation suffers from inconsistent pixel sizes and rough art direction, which may detract from the overall experience for some players.
- There are issues with the item system that can complicate controls, and the requirement to create separate save files for time trials is seen as an unnecessary limitation.
- Some players noted that the game could benefit from a higher frame rate and the lack of split-screen co-op was a disappointment for those wanting to play with friends.
- story12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story centers around three powerful magic crystals and is praised for its engaging and humorous cutscenes, well-developed characters, and overall interesting narrative. Reviewers highlight the storytelling as a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment of the adventure.
“The story basically revolves around three magic crystals that bestow great power on whoever possesses them.”
“I won't cover the details of the story in this review, but I'll say that each time a cutscene came on, I'd refill my coffee and just sit back and enjoy the show because I found them to be well written and funny.”
“The movement is super good, the story is interesting, the characters too, the music is good, but most of all, it's an amazing adventure.”
“The story basically revolves around 3 magic crystals that bestow great power on whoever possesses them.”
“I won't cover the details of the story in this review but I'll say that each time a cutscene came on, I'd refill my coffee and just sit back and enjoy the show because I found them to be well written and funny.”
- music12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as enjoyable and reminiscent of classic Sega Genesis tracks, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, some players opted to mute the music during complex puzzle sections to focus better on gameplay. Overall, while the music is appreciated, it may not be the primary focus for all players.
“The movement is super good, the story is interesting, the characters too, the music is good, but most of all, it's an amazing adventure.”
“Awesome story, music, platforming design.”
“However, I played much of the game with the music muted because I wanted to concentrate on the game, especially the more complex puzzle sections.”
“All bits of the game pay service to these classic titles, and each individual component works towards this goal: controls are tight, level design is above-average (and full of secrets and small puzzles), enemy designs are numerous and creative, and even the music smacks of that old Sega Genesis timbre and vibe.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its stability and enjoyment, offering a variety of engaging mechanics and challenges, including unique chase and vehicle levels. Players appreciate the game's solid controls, creative level design, and overall fun experience, making it a standout title despite its low price.
“It absolutely shines in nearly every department: gameplay, controls, enemy & character design, puzzles, level design, storytelling, writing, etc.”
“It provides hours of fun, lighthearted gameplay that is pleasantly challenging.”
“Cheap game for a cheap price, and it's actually good unlike some other cheap games that either break or are impossible to beat because gameplay is unstable.”
“In addition to all this, there are special levels where the gameplay format is changed a bit: 'chase' levels in which you need to outrun a giant boss and vehicle levels in which you control a hovercraft, a glider, a submarine, and a surfboard!”
“The gameplay is repetitive and lacks depth, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's pixel graphics feature a hand-drawn aesthetic that evokes nostalgia for 90s platformers, though some players note that the visuals and UI can appear rough and jagged. While this style may initially seem unpolished, many reviewers appreciate it as a deliberate part of the game's charm, despite concerns that some sprites may border on unoriginality. Overall, the graphics are seen as a fitting homage to classic gaming, albeit with some imperfections.
“While the game utilizes pixel graphics, the visuals have a nice hand-drawn feel to them.”
“I'll admit that I initially felt that the graphics and UI were a little rough around the edges, but once I got into the game, I just accepted it as part of the game's presentation style (and I mean it in a good way). After all, it does seem to be inspired by 90s era platformers.”
“I'll admit that I initially felt that the graphics and UI were a little rough around the edges, but once I got into the game, I just accepted it as part of the game's presentation style. After all, it does seem to be inspired by 90s era platformers.”
“It's not a bad game, and costs as much as a bag of chips, but the rough edges are jagged - and some of the sprites cross the line between nostalgia and tracing over old artwork.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted as a standout feature, with reviewers praising its depth and integration into the overall storytelling and gameplay experience. The characters are well-designed and contribute significantly to the game's immersive narrative.
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as well-written and entertaining, making cutscenes enjoyable enough for players to pause and savor the experience. Overall, it contributes positively to the game's narrative engagement.
“Each time a cutscene came on, I'd refill my coffee and just sit back and enjoy the show because I found them to be well written and funny.”
“The humor in this game is spot on, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
“I was pleasantly surprised by the clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout the game.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as being wholesome and universally appealing, making it enjoyable for players of all ages. This sentiment suggests a strong positive emotional connection fostered through its gameplay and themes.
