Slash/Jump (PC) Review

 

Slash/Jump is a dexterity based Platformer. The game is available for free on Steam and reminded me a lot of 'Deepest Sword' (a game which I also reviewed on this blog: https://gamereviewnation.blogspot.com/2021/10/deepest-sword-pc-review.html). Both games have 8 Bit inspired visuals, which look quite good, and an unconventional method of movement. While in Deepest Sword the protagonist moves on his own and uses his ever-growing Sword as a jump bar or a lifter, the character in Slash/Jump can not walk at all and relies on his sword to catapult himself throughout the levels. Therefore you might also compare Slash/Jump to Jump King, where you can also only move through jumping. In Slash/Jump however you use normal and light punches to the ground with your sword instead of active jumps and there is no falling down and losing all your progress feature, which Jump King is famous for.

Movement is a lot of fun that way and figuring out the best paths for the different rooms is the real challenge. Your first playthrough might take around 30-40 minutes, but after that you should be able to beat it in around 10-15 minutes. There is a bit of challenge involved initially, but it never became really frustrating and is probably part of the easier physics based Platformer games. If I got something to criticize, than it would be, that the rooms could offer a bit more variety. Towards the end, some of them will feel quite similar. And as nearly always with smaller games, the game could have theoretically been a bit longer.

I have beaten the game with both Mouse and Keyboard, as well as with a Controller. While the game is definitely playable with a Mouse, it will be noticeably easier with a Controller, for which this game is optimized for.

 

Result:

I enjoy trying out Platformer games with unique movement systems. Slash/Jump delivers in that regard. Catapulting yourself throughout the levels is fun and I can especially see Speedrunners having a great time with this one. A bit more variety throughout the game and a bigger length and we could have seen a really great game. If you are looking for a charming 2D Platformer with a movement twist however, than Slash/Jump is a pretty good choice, especially considering it's a free game on Steam.

 

7.5/10