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Jump King

Although frustrating and oppressive by design, Jump King brings a level of satisfaction in victory rarely found in gaming. The varied level design and sheer amount of content within will provide hours of falling for those with the patience to continue.
Jump King Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
grinding, stability
92% User Score Based on 8,980 reviews
Critic Score 63%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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Jump King Game Cover

About

Jump King is a single player platformer game with horror and fantasy themes. It was developed by Nexile and was released on May 3, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Jump King" is a challenging platformer where players must leap their way to the top of various stages. With only one button to jump, timing and precision are key as a single misstep can send you back to the beginning. The goal is to reach the coveted "Kiss Queen" at the top, but with spikes, gaps, and other obstacles in the way, it's easier said than done.

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Jump King screenshot
Jump King screenshot
Jump King screenshot
Jump King screenshot
Jump King screenshot
Jump King screenshot
Jump King screenshot
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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,980 reviews
gameplay72 positive mentions
grinding24 negative mentions
  • gameplay
    264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Jump King" is characterized by its simple yet challenging jumping mechanics that require precise timing and mastery, making it both addictive and frustrating. While some players appreciate the depth and satisfaction that comes from mastering these mechanics, others criticize the repetitive nature and punishing difficulty that can lead to significant setbacks. Overall, the game offers a unique experience for those who enjoy high-risk platforming, but its simplicity may not appeal to everyone.

    • “With mechanics that are extremely simple, yet requiring surprising precision, Jump King is executed perfectly for anyone looking for a challenging game that is easy to pick up but difficult to master.”
    • “The gameplay is challenging yet addictive, with cleverly designed levels that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The player is constantly met with difficult jumps and newly introduced mechanics that keep gameplay fresh while encouraging experimentation to find the most reliable way to make it through difficult sections.”
    • “The gameplay is so infuriating that I hit my desk approximately infinity times.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay of 'Jump King' leaves much to be desired.”
    • “It isn't hard because of clever level design or strategic mechanics, but instead goes the incredibly lazy route of just having terrible, slightly inconsistent controls that, more often than not, leave you needing good luck more than skill to progress.”
  • music
    198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its ambient quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players appreciating its calming and immersive nature. While some reviews note that the soundtrack may not be the most energetic or memorable, it effectively complements the gameplay and art style, creating a unique atmosphere. Overall, the combination of great music and stunning visuals contributes significantly to the game's appeal, despite some criticism regarding the lack of more dynamic tracks during gameplay.

    • “The music is great, each new screen you jump to is an award in itself, and absolutely nothing in your life will rival the feeling of reaching the top.”
    • “The soundtrack is also fantastic and adds to the overall immersive experience.”
    • “The art, music, platforms and mechanics are actually very good.”
    • “No new spoken dialogue or music.”
    • “Shitty soundtrack (the game has next to no hype music)”
    • “There is no music during the game (only in menu) and the basic mechanic of the game is really simple.”
  • graphics
    140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Jump King" are widely praised for their charming pixel art style and vibrant colors, which create an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players find the visuals to be simplistic or mediocre, many appreciate the detailed backgrounds and artistic design that contribute to the game's unique aesthetic. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, complementing the game's challenging mechanics and engaging sound design.

    • “The graphics are top-notch, with vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds that transport you to a magical world.”
    • “The art direction and aesthetic of this game is gorgeous.”
    • “The retro graphics and vibrant colors give me the feeling of nostalgia.”
    • “The visuals, although clear, do little to enhance the storytelling, often leaving the player feeling disconnected from the game world.”
    • “There's no music really (which is probably for the best, to be honest), the visuals are just mediocre pixel art, and the level design amounts to arbitrarily placed platforms of a hair's width suspended above a long pit that leads back to the very beginning.”
    • “Absolutely terrible, very simple, graphics are just bad, lazy writing, no gameplay mechanics.”
  • humor
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Jump King" is widely praised for its combination of comically exaggerated falls and the frustration of precision platforming, leading to a shared experience of laughter among players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to turn failures into hilarious moments, making it a popular choice for streamers and friends to enjoy together. Despite its challenging mechanics, the humor remains a central aspect, providing entertainment even in moments of rage and despair.

    • “Jump King, developed by Nexile, is a side-splittingly hilarious game that combines precision platforming, soul-crushing frustration, and a whole lot of comically exaggerated falls.”
    • “If you've ever wanted to experience the joy of climbing a towering vertical world while watching your character hilariously tumble down over and over again, then prepare for an adventure that will have you laughing through your tears!”
    • “With its combination of precision platforming, exaggerated falls, and a quirky sense of humor, Jump King delivers a comedic experience that will keep you entertained and laughing, even when you feel like throwing your controller across the room.”
    • “Not funny, didn't laugh”
    • “Not funny, didn't laugh”
  • story
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Jump King" is often described as minimal and somewhat disconnected from the gameplay, primarily revolving around a quest to reach the top of a tower for a "smoking hot babe." While some players find the narrative thin and lacking in character development, others appreciate the underlying themes of perseverance and hope, likening its storytelling style to that of "Dark Souls," where lore is revealed through exploration. Overall, the game is seen as charming and engaging, despite its simplistic plot.

    • “A masterpiece of storytelling.”
    • “It tells a story like Dark Souls does, where you get bits and pieces of lore in each area, you find NPCs that tell their own tales and share their own experiences within the world you're desperately trying to traverse.”
    • “It really captures the journey of a man on his quest to ascend from a lowly jump peasant to Jump King with all the struggles and tribulations that come with it.”
    • “The visuals, although clear, do little to enhance the storytelling, often leaving the player feeling disconnected from the game world.”
    • “"Jump King" attempts to weave a narrative about reaching the top to find the "smoking hot babe." However, this storyline is thin and feels more like an afterthought than a genuine driving force for the player.”
    • “However, I fear that I will die of old age long before I see the end of the main story.”
  • atmosphere
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dense, serene quality that enhances the challenging gameplay, making it more bearable and engaging. Players appreciate the combination of minimalist art style, captivating pixel art, and an ambient soundtrack that together create a mysterious and zen-like experience. Overall, the atmosphere significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it feel immersive and rewarding despite its punishing difficulty.

    • “First of all, the atmosphere is much denser than what you would expect from a game like this.”
    • “Even if you do not seek out these secrets, there is a certain serenity to the overall atmosphere that makes the punishing gameplay much more bearable.”
    • “This game truthfully has some of the best pixel art I have ever seen, topped with an amazing soundtrack that gives each atmosphere its own story as you continually fall over and over. I think this game is truly captivating and heavily underappreciated.”
    • “First of all, the atmosphere is much more dense than what you would expect from a game like this.”
    • “Besides those comparisons, the game is an easy to pick up, hard to master sort with an unforgiving atmosphere; one misplaced jump off by some milliseconds could set you back a decent amount.”
    • “So many things about this game are well designed, such as the pixel art and the atmosphere, but the devs kneecapped themselves with the ridiculously masochistic gameplay.”
  • emotional
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game elicits a profound emotional response from players, often leading to tears and deep reflection on personal struggles and triumphs. Many reviewers highlight its ability to evoke feelings of despair, frustration, and ultimately, a sense of accomplishment, making it a powerful metaphor for life's challenges. Overall, it is praised for its capacity to move players on an emotional level, creating a lasting impact.

    • “This game made me feel things I've never felt playing a game before.”
    • “For me, this game made me feel like I could do anything if I kept pushing, which is why I also think it's a great metaphor for life.”
    • “This game made me cry, but when you beat it, it's gone and you feel good about playing it.”
  • grinding
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to progress. While some describe it as satisfying, many feel that the excessive focus on grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration rather than challenge. Overall, the consensus is that the grinding can feel more like a chore than a rewarding gameplay mechanic.

    • “Everything about this game is good except actually playing it, which is tedious.”
    • “Not fun and tedious after 30 minutes.”
    • “That isn't making the game hard, that's making it tedious.”
  • stability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent visual freezes and significant frame rate drops, making it unplayable for some. While there are mentions of decent sprite work and a challenging gameplay experience, the overall performance issues detract from the enjoyment. Many players express frustration over the game's bugs and technical shortcomings.

    • “The sprite work is decent and functions well without any noticeable glitches, making the game a hefty challenge, which many players appreciate.”
    • “The game runs smoothly with no glitches, providing a stable experience that enhances the overall challenge.”
    • “I experienced no technical issues while playing; the stability of the game allows for a more immersive and challenging experience.”
    • “Every time I restart, it goes for about 5 minutes, and freezes only the visuals. Unless you're constantly checking to see if your video is frozen, which why would you, you're only going to be able to hear your attempts.”
    • “The game is fun, but frequent FPS drops from 60 down to sub 40, along with screen freezes, make it unplayable for me, which is a surprise and a damn shame.”
    • “Buggy garbage. Developers need to learn to code.”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players highlight "Jump King" for its significant replayability, driven by the challenge it presents and the abundance of extra content. Many are motivated to replay the game to achieve 100% completion and unlock all achievements, enhancing its long-term appeal.

    • “With plenty of extra stuff to do, the game has good replayability.”
    • “Loads of replayability.”
    • “For me, it also has a lot of replay value, but that's only because I want to get all of the achievements.”
    • “God bless you, Jump King, not for my strange previous review on your aesthetic, but your unending replayability and strength in making me suffer.”
    • “- loads of replayability”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is notably lacking, with reviewers highlighting a deficiency in engaging storytelling elements. This absence diminishes player motivation, making progression feel reliant on endurance rather than narrative investment. While the character design is appreciated, it does not compensate for the overall shortcomings in character growth and story engagement.

    • “The lack of character development or engaging storytelling elements means that the motivation to progress relies solely on the player's tolerance for repetition and failure.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game is heavily criticized for its hidden microtransactions, which users claim can lead to significant financial burdens and long-term psychological effects. Many view these practices as exploitative cash grabs benefiting both developers and streamers at the expense of players' well-being.

    • “There are thousands of dollars worth of hidden microtransactions that will manifest in real life for decades after uninstalling, typically in the form of a nicotine addiction or therapy bills to fix the lasting mental distress this game puts you through.”
    • “These are great cash grabs for streamers and developers alike.”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is highly praised, as it eliminates random factors that could affect player performance, making every failure solely attributable to the player's actions. This design choice enhances the sense of control and skill required to succeed, reminiscent of classic platformers like Super Meat Boy.

    • “This is my favorite part of the game, as not even Super Meat Boy is without its RNG, but this game quite literally is devoid of any outside factors influencing your performance (unless you count the wind in Stormwall, which I don't because even that isn't random). If you fall, it is your fault, literally 100% of the time.”
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63%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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18h Median play time
61h Average play time
3-50h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 46 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Jump King is a platformer game with horror and fantasy themes.

Jump King is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 61 hours playing Jump King.

Jump King was released on May 3, 2019.

Jump King was developed by Nexile.

Jump King has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Jump King is a single player game.

Similar games include Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, Pogostuck: Rage With Your Friends, A Difficult Game About Climbing, Only Up!, Super Meat Boy and others.