JustAxe takes me back to the days of classic Adobe Flash games, reminiscent of those I used to play on Newgrounds and Kongregate. It’s a straightforward and brief platformer that captures the essence of the fluid, albeit sometimes clunky, game controls from that bygone era. Newcomers who have never delved into such games might be put off by its sluggish pace and wonky physics. Frankly, it doesn’t quite live up to the expectations of a console game slated for a 2024 release.
In the game, players are in control of little Martha, who must navigate various levels while dealing with overly persistent enemies. These foes are fiercely determined to reach her at any cost, sometimes even tumbling over one another or into traps and pits in their pursuit. When they manage to attack her, the impact can send Martha flying ridiculously far, defying any sense of realistic physics. It’s exactly this kind of exaggerated physics that hearkens back to Flash games of old.
The overall navigation in JustAxe feels very much rooted in those same Flash mechanics. Martha runs, leaps, and swings her axe as you would expect, yet there’s something slightly off about the controls. For instance, in certain chase levels, falling into a spiky pit ought to be certain doom for Martha. Instead, she merely ricochets off the spikes, taking damage with each bounce. These little quirks make the game’s unpolished state all too evident.
One upside, if you can call it that, is that JustAxe is short—just a three-hour odyssey that can be wrapped up in an afternoon. The storyline is minimalistic, but that’s pretty standard fare for a game of its type. It seems tailored for players just looking to kill time, whether it be during a lengthy train ride or a family gathering they’d rather distract themselves from. At the very least, it offers a minor escape from reality as you struggle through its somewhat frustrating levels and relentless enemies.
This review is based on a retail copy of the game that was provided by the publisher.
