I don't normally play games based off recommendation from people who appear in them, because that's what they are supposed to say right? That the game is good, its fun, its a gave for everyone and anyone. Well had it not been for reviews editor at The Escapist & front man of The Jimquisition Jim Sterling I wouldn't have even known about Jazzpunk let alone played it.
Now alright, it wasn't his word alone that made me play it but the words of several people from several sources. So I bit the bullet, laid down my money on the virtual Steam cashiers virtual counter and downloaded my copy of Jazzpunk...little knowing I would not only be thoroughly pleased with the purchase but also needing a brain transplant afterwards.
Jazzpunk is a game held up by two aspects, art style & poking fun at pop culture, however these two elements are so good that the game is not only held up by them, but is a shining example to all developers of how to make a entertaining adventure game on a small budget.
Your name is Polyblank and your adventure starts off as it means to go on, with a damn fine joke. As you arrive on the airport baggage carrier belt hidden away inside a human shaped luggage bag you are transported through though a seizure educing title sequence before being dumped in what resembles a London tube station that has been partially refurbished into an office.
You are a spy, one of the Directors best agents...mainly because you are his only agent but that's besides the point. As he sets you outrageous tasks you pop your pills (for medicinal purposes only of course) and transport yourself to various places in a cartoony and outrageously over the top world in a spy tale that is even more in your face funny than any of the Austin Powers, Get Smart or Johnny English films.
The story of Jazzpunk does however become rather diluted underneath the barrage of pop culture references, outrageous dialogue and visual sensory assault you will experience in your hour and a half to two hour journey across this mysterious world. It begins well, loses its way for two of the four missions and then realised that it had a story again during the final mission and so attempts to tie it all of in a funny but rather unsatisfying way.
Jazzpunk could best be described as a point & click adventure game, however you have the ability to move Polyblank through large 3D environments as well as participate in mini-games that are far from point and click including the FPS 'Wedding-Quake' accessible through a wedding cake, golf/snooker (its a bit of an explanation, just roll with it), virtual-boy tennis (complete with red & black retro graphics) and combat against pizza zombies.
But the majority of the game is a case of solving puzzles by exploring the environments, collecting things and using them on other things, much like a traditional adventure game.
This style works in Jazzpunk's favour, though it can become occasionally infuriating and tedious working out what you need to do as you are never given a hint of what to do without having to pause the game and look at the vague objective descriptions. It works so well because this compliments its quirky, moments when it ventures out of its genre such as those times mentioned above. Expect it to regularly break the fourth wall as well with some truly unique moments such as having to scan a QR code on the side of a pig to receive mission information.
Your eyes are in for a treat with Jazzpunk. A cel-shaded environment filled with bright and varying pastel colours, it almost looks like it has been adapted from the page of a comic book. Thanks to this simplistic look it can be run on a majority of computers and will look awesome across the board no matter your graphics settings.
The audio work is also superb, music is reminiscent of spy movies and the comedic talent on the voices is excellent across the board. Though my only complaint is many actors are used several times meaning many characters sound the same.
Jazzpunk is not without problem, the story does fall flat regularly despite its hilarity. The gameplay does occasionally bore and despite being funny, the constant full frontal assault becomes desensitising towards the end. Thankfully Jazzpunk is a good length to be worthy of purchase but not overstay its welcome and for the majority of the game, as long as you can catch on to what its parodying in its jokes, you will be laughing. A game that does deserve recognition, but unfortunately may not receive it due to its extremely odd premise.
Jazzpunk – 8/10
+Extremely Funny
+Visually Appealing
+Quirky Gameplay
-Humour Can Desensitise
-Story Falls Flat
