Developer: Nicolas Meyssonnier
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X (Reviewed) |S
Genre: Action, Adventure
Publisher: Headup Games
Pumpkin Jack is a 3D platformer set in a spooky mystical world with a fantastic cartoony vibe. This is an epic adventure through a hellish world where you play as Jack, the mythical Pumpkin Lord going through multiple levels. Pumpkin Jack is reminiscent of many fantastic 3D platformers, you take control of this hellish Jack character as he battles for good to overcome evil. I know the plot is nothing new but the game has a few gems that make it sound out from most 3D platformers.
The designers and developers have created a fantastic spooky world, they have taken the spooky and evil theme and ran with it. The levels are well crafted with a varying degree of difficulty, each level introduces new mechanics that make each new area have a novelty. You will be greeted with a ton of puzzles too throughout each level. Your character can jump, melee and shot bad guys. There are unique sections in each game that break the monotony of just having a standard 3D platformer or problem-solving. The levels and characters are well rendered and the graphics are superb, they have fine-tuned the spooky cartoony feels. A fantastic musical score and theme underpin all the action, the voice acting is superb. The music adds so much to the game and it makes all the elements of the game come together. The boss encounters are fantastic and are probably my favourite parts of the game, the bosses are wonderfully rendered and quite challenging. They add another break from the standard 3D platformer format.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how addictive the game was, the control system is straightforward and easy to pick up and play. Once I spent a couple of hours getting used to game mechanics, I was hooked. The levels offer quite a varied gaming experience, action, puzzles and some aspects that felt like being on a rollercoaster! The game offers varied levels as well, each level has its unique game mechanic and new features. The level of story tension and build-up is done well, the storytelling aids the pace of the game and each level climaxes with a huge boss fight. Pumpkin Jack reminds me of many great 3D platformers but has its twists and humour. This is a fantastic platformer.
Overall: 8/10
PS Store NA/EU | eShop NA+EU | Microsoft Store (Xbox One) | Steam | GOG | Epic
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
