Pumpkin Jack

There are so many things I want to say about Pumpkin Jack but GOG only allows me to type 2000 characters so I'm just going to go into the things people most likely want to know. Right away, let it be known that this is probably the best 3D Platformer to come out from the indie space since Hat in Time. Every last area of this game is carefully crafted and filled with so much passion that it radiates nonstop. It's a game that will keep you smiling from start to finish. The game takes around 4-5 hours to complete and find most (if not all) collectibles. Every single boss fight is a spectacle and while most platformers either struggle with good combat or engaging platforming sections, this nails them both. The combat stays fresh with new weaponry being added after every level and the skills needed to platform are consistently increased and never feel unfair. The game keeps introducing new concepts but never lets you feel uncomfortable or underprepared. Performance wise the game is smooth as butter. I'm far over the recommended spec to be fair (8700k/32GB/1070) but at 1440p I never once had a single dip below 60 which I capped the game at. The game itself is also gorgeous to look at. I used a Xbox Controller for my playthrough which worked wonderfully as well. I can not comment on KB/M Controls. The only negative that can really be drawn from Pumpkin Jack is the very predictable nature of each level. They all break down the same. Start mission, get a little side task, have a travel section, another side task, solve a quick puzzle, travel and then boss (which follow very similar formulas as well). It's very by the numbers. However, it's tough to even call this a negative because the game is designed so well that it's hard to even care about this. Give this game your money if you have any interest in 3D Platformers. It's worth every single cent. It's a nice linear trek that will keep you smiling and engaged with wonderful design and splendid writing.

The graphic in this game looks pretty good for an indie project, but the gameplay is just too simple: you have like, 6 different weapons that shares the same combos so the combat gets repetitive fast. Even the platforming, that should be the most important part feel kinda of floaty. In this game you play as the bad guy but the story is not very interesting and in some parts, very very childish. All in all for the good atmosphere, graphic and simple gameplay it's an okay game but for the price of 30 €, is pretty short and you can complete in 5- 7 hours.

This really did bring back memories of the old MediEvil Series from Playstation. This game is so impressive on so many levels it isn't even funny! I had an absolute blast playing through this. So... Let's hit the pros and cons and I'll tell you why I had to dock a star: Pros- -Beautiful graphics and soundtrack! So atmospheric. This aspect of the game was PERFECT. Would not change a thing. -Gameplay was amazing. Mechanics were spot on. Platforming was fun. I personally didn't run into any bugs, and I haven't installed the new patch to fix the ones others had found. -Levels were well thought out and mini-puzzles were fun and did not overstay their welcome. -Character design was wonderful. As well as the purchasing of new skins throughout the game. Every Jack skin is great in it's own way. Ok, now for the cons... Or rather THE con- -Marketing and story direction! That's it. I don't feel that many people realized that the Jack from Pumpkin Jack was actually the same Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack the Giant Killer shines here in all his glory... and most people won't make the connection. Why? The marketing of this game is horrific. "Do the will of the Devil" and "Eliminate the Good and help the Evil" are not the taglines that should be used to promote this game. Simply destroying goodness doesn't fit the original narrative of Jack, anyway. He doesn't actually best the Devil in any way in this game, which one would expect having been at all familiar with the Jack Tales. (There are references in game to his past exploits from the stories) He simply does the Devil's will. Aesthetically this game is a gem. Everything about this game screams perfection... I only wish that the marketing had made the connection to the Jack tales, rather than promote a game that is all about just being evil for evil's sake. I also wish there had been some sort of redeeming value from the story, but I still really enjoyed the game. Great game! Made my Favorites list. Get it!

It's a pretty alright 3D Platformer with passable melee combat and a lot of rough edges. I enjoyed my first couple of hours with the game quite a lot. I love the art style and general design of the world, but you do start to see where they had to cut corners pretty fast. The combat gets really repetitive really quickly and never adds anything to make it more complex or enjoyable. Yes, you do pick up a new weapon every now and again, but the never fundamentally change anything about how you are going to approach a given situation. Enemy variety is also pretty lacking. Furthermore, the levels never up the gameplay in any big ways. Sure, you have gimmicks that they then stretch out over entire levels, so even these sections get boring in the levels that they are introduced in. That pretty much is the entire game for me...neat little gimmicks that never really build on a solid foundation, but instead add a little bit too it that then fizzles out over a couple of minutes after it has been introduced. I would like to see them make a fleshed out sequel or spiritual successor that improves on this foundation. The game had quite a bit of potential, but never does anything remarkable besides looking very pretty.

3D Platformers aren't the most common genre nowadays, but everyone once in a while we get presented with a game that does the genre justice. Pumpkin Jack is the debut outing from solo developer, Nicolas Meyssonnier. It has the personal attention and detail of one person, but has the polish and execution of an entire team. Everything about the game is surpisingly well realized, from the music, the storybook plot, and overall aesthetic. I have finished it yet, but I'm at the last stage now after about 4 hours. Despite the shorter length it is perfectly paced. Nothing outstays its welcome, and I have faith that when I do get around to finishing it, I will be satisfied with the journey. The only point of contention worth mentioning is the price. I bought this game on sale for 20% off, which feels about right for the content. However, $30 seems a bit much considering Hat in Time has a lot more content for the same price (plus an active mod community). That being said Pumpkin Jack is one of the best gaming experiences I've had in a while, and recommend it strongly to anyone who enjoys 3D platformers or would like to try something new.