Reflecting back on it, JustAxe is like an echo from the era of Adobe Flash games that dominated sites like Newgrounds and Kongregate. It’s a straightforward platformer, brimming with that classic Flash game vibe. If you’re unfamiliar with these gems of the past, the sluggish controls and unusual game physics might be off-putting, particularly for something launching on consoles in 2024.
Take, for example, how enemies behave in the game. They relentlessly trail Martha, the character you control, across the levels with a fierce determination that feels slightly over the top. They get so aggressive that they’ll tumble over each other, charging over traps and into pits just to reach her. And when they do hit their mark, Martha is sent flying in a way that defies any real-world physics—definitely reminiscent of those quirky Flash game antics.
The controls in JustAxe are another throwback to those days. Martha can run, jump, and swing her trusty axe, as you’d expect, but something feels a little off. The controls just don’t flow as smoothly as one would hope. In one level, where you’re supposed to leap across a spiky chasm, falling should mean game over, right? Not here. Martha bounces off spikes, taking damage with each hit, rather than experiencing the finality one expects. Such nuances can make the game feel a touch unfinished.
But don’t worry too much—JustAxe is a super short game, clocking in at about three hours. The story isn’t going to win any awards, but then again, that’s pretty much par for the course with this kind of game. It’s perfect if you’re just looking to kill some time, say, on a long train ride or while enduring an awkward family get-together. At least it’ll distract you from reality as you tackle its somewhat frustrating challenges and quirky adversaries.
For full disclosure, this review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.
