EVALUATION / JustAxe (PC) – That VideoGame Blog

Reflecting back on the heyday of Adobe Flash games on platforms like Newgrounds and Kongregate, JustAxe immediately brings those memories flooding back. It’s a platformer, simple in nature and reminiscent of those classic Flash games with their unique blend of fluidity and somewhat clunky controls. For those unfamiliar with this style, the game’s sluggish handling and peculiar physics might be a real turnoff. It’s tough to overlook, especially for a console game making its debut in 2024.

Imagine controlling little Martha, the character at the center of this game, as she navigates her way through various levels. Enemies are extremely persistent, relentlessly chasing her through the terrain. They’re so determined that they’ll even end up colliding with one another and falling into traps in their pursuit. When they do manage to land a hit, Martha can be sent flying in a manner that defies real-world physics. This is classic Flash-game physics in action.

The core gameplay of JustAxe, which includes Martha running, jumping, and wielding her trusty axe, doesn’t escape this Flash-game influence either. There’s a certain twitchiness to the controls that feels less than smooth. Take the chase levels, for instance. Instead of succumbing to the peril of a spiky pit, Martha merely bounces off, taking damage each time she hits a spike. These small quirks make the game feel somewhat unfinished.

On the bright side, JustAxe isn’t a long commitment. You can wrap it up in about three hours, which makes it a nice distraction for a lazy afternoon. The narrative is minimalistic, as expected from a game of this genre. This makes it perfect for filling time during those lengthy train or bus rides or even while at family dinners where you’d rather divert your attention elsewhere. The game might be irksome at times, but it serves well to temporarily disconnect you from reality.

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