REVIEW / JustAxe (PC) – The VideoGame Journal

Playing JustAxe takes me back to those days of classic Adobe Flash games on platforms like Newgrounds and Kongregate. This straightforward platformer captures that nostalgic Flash game vibe with its fluid style and controls. But if you’re new to this retro feel, you might find the game’s sluggish mechanics and physics a bit off-putting. Frankly, they don’t quite hit the mark for a console release in 2024.

In the game, you’re navigating as Martha, an endearing little character who finds herself constantly pursued by relentless enemies throughout each level. These foes are so determined that they often tumble into traps and gaps just trying to reach her. And when they do strike, Martha is sometimes sent flying ridiculously far, a trademark of those quirky Flash game physics.

When it comes to moving around in JustAxe, Martha’s actions—running, jumping, swinging her trusty axe—are well-honed, yet there’s a certain stiffness to the controls that one would hope to see improved. Picture this: in one particular chase sequence, instead of plummeting to her demise when falling into a spiky chasm, Martha bounces endlessly on the spikes, incurring damage with each bounce, but not quite facing that Game Over screen. Moments like these give the impression that the game could use a bit more polish.

The bright side? JustAxe is a brisk experience, clocking in at about three hours. The story doesn’t dive too deep, which is pretty typical for a game of this nature. It serves as a pastime for moments when you just need to zone out—whether it’s on a monotonous train ride or a long dinner with relatives. While the levels and foes might test your patience, they do manage to pull you away from the real world for a while.

This review was put together using a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.