REVIEW / JustAxe (PC) – VideoGame Blog

JustAxe takes me on a nostalgic ride back to the era of Adobe Flash games, echoing the vibes of classic sites like Newgrounds and Kongregate. It’s a straightforward platformer, offering that signature Flash gameplay feel with its fluid animations and controls. For players new to such experiences, the sluggishness and quirky game physics might be a turn-off. Honestly, it’s not the best representation for a console game debuting in 2024.

As you guide little Martha, the character you control, through various levels, you’ll notice how relentless the enemies are. They’ll chase Martha to the level’s end, even sacrificing themselves by leaping into traps and crevices just to reach her. When they do manage to get an attack in, the result is often Martha being flung unrealistic distances, showcasing that characteristic Flash-game physics.

Navigating through JustAxe further highlights these physics quirks. Martha performs her usual run, jump, and axe-attack routine, but something about the controls feels just a bit off, lacking the seamlessness you’d expect. In one level, falling into a spiky pit should mean an inevitable demise for Martha, yet she simply bounces along the spikes, taking damage with each bounce. Little inconsistencies like these contribute to the game’s unpolished feel.

On the upside, JustAxe won’t demand much of your time—it’s a short, three-hour journey that you can wrap up in an afternoon. The story isn’t complex, a typical trait for this genre. It’s the kind of game you’d play to kill time on a long train or bus ride, or perhaps during a tiresome family dinner. It offers a break from reality, challenging you to tackle its somewhat frustrating levels and enemies.

This review was crafted based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.