Like chess with shotguns – first impressions of the game “Jupiter Hell”

Demonic space station

The game begins when the elite soldier Flynn Taggart, returning from patrol, is attacked by the defense systems of his own space station, but he manages to land successfully. In the base, on one of Jupiter’s moons, an equally unpleasant surprise awaits him in the form of enemy marines, defense drones, demons and combat mechs. That’s it for the storyline, it loses any meaning later in the game.

Move, fire or reload, but not simultaneously

Jupiter Hell is a turn-based shooter where each action is one round. This means that it’s best to establish a plan of action in advance, as reloading or switching weapons during combat can be critical. Survival is not made easier by the difficulty level, which is demanding in each of the four variants (easy, normal, difficult and ultra-brutal). In addition, you do not use the mouse during the game, and each shot automatically flies towards the enemy. The chances of hitting the opponent are set in percentage and depend on the player’s position in relation to the target and the obstacles between them.

Flynn Taggart – soldier, scout, technician, acrobat

Before starting the game, select a character class from three available. Each one has different active and passive skills. The soldier has an increased health pool and its regeneration, which makes him the best choice initially (it is harder to kill him). The scout allows the player to sneak, which makes it easier to explore and take a favorable position in relation to the opponent. In addition, from the very beginning, this character knows the location of the elevator leading to the next level. The technician seems to be the most complex class of characters, as he can modify weapons to make them even more deadly. In addition, killing enemies provides experience points that result in subsequent levels . Each subsequent levelallows you to upgrade one skill out of many available options. The set of weapons that Flynn Taggart is carrying is also subject to personalization. At any time, it is possible to pick up the gear of the previously defeated opponent.

Endless corridors and twin rooms

The goal of the game is to defeat your opponents on the way to the next levels, which may make it seem monotonous. This impression is intensified by unchanging corridors and painted rooms. On the other hand, each level is randomly generated. These factors make each approach to the game both the same and completely different. Flynn Taggart becomes stronger and stronger as the game progresses, but he meets more and more demanding opponents on his way, making it as easy to die in the first level as in the tenth.

I don’t have all day. Come on!

I am not able to fault the graphics. It does not knock you down, but it also does not push you away. However, a lot of good can be said about the sound. Psychedelic, heavy sounds perfectly fit into the atmosphere of the game, mobilizing the user to act faster and explore more courageously, which does not always end well. The texts of Flynn Taggart himself are also interesting, as he rushes the player and makes fun of his opponents.

Only for fans of the genre

Roguelike games have long no longer appeal to the statistical player who prefers more accessible and visually better titles over the masochistic ugly.  Jupiter Hell is not a hand outstretched towards the Sunday computer hobbyist, or even a wink on hardcore gamers. The title from the ChaosForge studio is not a bridge that was supposed to attract new customers, because it was not supposed to be one. Instead, the creators served a classic roguelike with many proven mechanics that should satisfy fans of the genre.