Review: Arkedo Series – 01 JUMP!
Arkedo Series – 01 JUMP! – Platformer – 240 Points – Download
Known for their work on the Nintendo DS, Arkedo are one of the only professional developers to create games for Xbox LIVE Indie Games. The first in a series of games for the service is JUMP! A retro inspired platformer with fantastic production values.
The highly stylized graphics are easily among the best 2D efforts on the service and could even pass for an XBLA title. Everything else from the music to the level design is extremely polished and well designed.
The basic premise of JUMP! is to disarm the bombs on each stage before they explode and get to the exit door. Along the way you must avoid enemies and navigate platforms. In a nod to the retro games that inspire it, JUMP! does not save your progress through the levels, instead you are given a set number of lives (most levels have extra lives to collect) and must traverse all 30 levels in one sitting. This adds some replayability to the game but can be frustrating.
Once you have completed the game you unlock the challenge levels which see you go through each of the levels from the main mode but this time you must collect every single coin and powerup. In this mode your progress is saved and once you beat all 30 levels you unlock a special extra hard level.
Overall, Arkedo Series – 01 JUMP! is one of the best games on the service. It’s presentation and level of polish are brilliant and it’s gameplay is fun & challenging. Go and download it now!
Extremely polished and fun. A must buy for fans of platformers.
Themocracy
JUMP and SWAP from Arkedo both rock. I’m looking forward to their next game.