Jack N' Jill DX

absolutely casual and not challenging( but i give this game positive review because this pair of cactus is so sweet

What a charming little game! A cross between an endless runner and an old-school puzzle-platformer (complete with monochrome Game Boy aesthetics and Kirby-esque visuals) Jack and Jill DX has a very simple goal: to reunite Jack the blob with his equally blobby girlfriend, Jill (who, in true Ms Pac-Man fashion, looks just like Jack but wearing a bow.) Jill waits for Jack at the end of every level, while he proves his devotion to her by jumping over bottomless pits, flying through spikes and confronting baddies, all while being unable to stop, turn back or retrace his steps - at least until he, quite literally, runs into a wall. The concept of the game is simplicity itself - players press the Spacebar at the start of every level to set Jack running, then use reflexes and timing to negotiate the level's environment as best they can. To help them in this endeavour, they can make use of a series of power-ups, including speed boosts, invincibility potions and - in later levels - even wings. Each of these is, however, only effective for a short period of time, meaning the player must not over-indulge - at the risk of losing their wings mid-flight or not having enough momentum to make that crucial last jump. This forces players into near-perfect accuracy in order to beat each level - yet, somehow, this never feels like a chore. Instead, the precision of movement achieved after a few run-throughs of a level is nearly balletic, and incredibly satisfying. The levels themselves, while similar in concept, seldom become repetitive or samey, and fun levels are kept high well into the gaming experience. This is also aided by the absence of lives, or any other penalties for failing a level - if Jack dies, the player is simply given another chance, with no further consequences, either good or bad. This, along with the 'endless runner' element, may lead some to think Jack and Jill DX is one of those dreaded 'casual games'; do not be fooled. While the gaming experience is overall quite relaxed, the levels of precision and trial-and-error required to beat the levels will have the kind of player who likes their hand held through a game screaming in frustration. For everyone else, however, Jack and Jill DX is one of those hidden indie gems people always talk about - and, at 140 levels plus some mini-games, well worth the few cents it costs on Steam sale. The best 60 pence I have spent on a game in a long while.