I've talked about how the 3D Platformer is my favorite genre. While one could argue that there are 3D Platformers that pre-date Jumping Flash! (Most notably Alpha Waves), it's nevertheless one of the earliest examples of the genre, releasing a full year before Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot. Considering the impact on the genre both had, I was interested to see how a game unaffected by those legacies would play.
Everything else aside, it's interesting for sure, and I'm honestly surprised more games weren't inspired by it. It's played in first person, a rarity for the genre. It's also kind of a shooter, although that takes a backseat to the running and jumping. In fact, the aiming reticle has a secondary purpose, as the camera pans down when descending and you land where the reticle aims. This means depth perception is never a problem, which is something many early 3D Platformers struggled with. As far as controls go, this game is pretty good, and the issues like the tank controls are fairly easy to adapt to.
However, the level design is pretty lacking. Your goal is to collect 4 Jetpods and go to the exit, and the levels are usually open-ended. This is cool, but many times I'd find all but one Jetpod and wander around looking for the last, an issue hurt made worse by the low draw distance. Aside from that, The locations of the collectibles would sometimes feel random and enemies usually pose no threat at all.
Some levels are in enclosed spaces though, and they're an interesting change of pace, but not great. They ultimately transform the game into an underwhelming FPS with tank controls (Although you can strafe while jumping, so it's not that bad).
The bosses are also pretty good all things considered. I enjoyed saving special weapons so I could unleash them on a boss, and the fights are fairly distinct as well.
But uh... It was fun, and considering it had very little to go off of, it's far better than I would've expected. It's like an hour long, so check it out. 6/10.
Everything else aside, it's interesting for sure, and I'm honestly surprised more games weren't inspired by it. It's played in first person, a rarity for the genre. It's also kind of a shooter, although that takes a backseat to the running and jumping. In fact, the aiming reticle has a secondary purpose, as the camera pans down when descending and you land where the reticle aims. This means depth perception is never a problem, which is something many early 3D Platformers struggled with. As far as controls go, this game is pretty good, and the issues like the tank controls are fairly easy to adapt to.
However, the level design is pretty lacking. Your goal is to collect 4 Jetpods and go to the exit, and the levels are usually open-ended. This is cool, but many times I'd find all but one Jetpod and wander around looking for the last, an issue hurt made worse by the low draw distance. Aside from that, The locations of the collectibles would sometimes feel random and enemies usually pose no threat at all.
Some levels are in enclosed spaces though, and they're an interesting change of pace, but not great. They ultimately transform the game into an underwhelming FPS with tank controls (Although you can strafe while jumping, so it's not that bad).
The bosses are also pretty good all things considered. I enjoyed saving special weapons so I could unleash them on a boss, and the fights are fairly distinct as well.
But uh... It was fun, and considering it had very little to go off of, it's far better than I would've expected. It's like an hour long, so check it out. 6/10.