Playing alone is cool and all, but grab 3 more friends and give the alien scum a proper pest control! A few neat mechanics and lots of targets to shoot, make for some proper multiplayer fun.
Hive Jumper does roguelikes right. The risk/reward system is fair and balanced, and it leaves the players with a sense of accomplishment. Even a failed run allows the user to keep some of the goo that they earned, which allows you to level up your character and your bases. The combination of base defense building and run and gun gameplay certainly adds a new and welcomed dynamic to the roguelike genre.
Overall the game is just pure fun, a wonderful nod to the SNES/Genesis era games while incorporating new aspects of modern gaming.
I was not expecting to like Hive Jump as much as I do. I have tried to describe this game to my friends and it changes every time I do. The most accurate description that i can think of would be: "It's like a 2D platforming Halo/Doom game mixed with a turn based tactical game. The game play is really smooth and holds up well to a lot going on during hectic "swarms" when enemies multiply and attack more aggressively than usual. This game looks like it was plucked out of the 16 bit era, but you can tell there is more going on under the hood. The first time that i saw an enemy go off the screen and I forgot about it, only to have it track me down a few moments later I knew the rules of old 16 bit shooters were out the window. Enemies don't go away when they go off screen, so tracking them and blind firing just off screen will result in a satisfying rain of "goo" which acts as the in game currency. It adds a level of realism to a otherwise pleasantly unrealistic game.
Hive Jump is a throw back to older more difficult games, not pulling punches, or serving up easy to beat level bosses. There is an interesting mechanic in regards to re spawning, having the player wear a backpack that ejects when they die, and having to keep the backpack out of harms way until you re spawn . That part can be really intense and nerve racking if you are in a tight spot. The game offers 4 player local multiplayer on the Switch version which I have not tried out, but as much fun as the game is from a solo perspective, this game would be a blast with friends. think Gauntlet Legends multiplayer with space bugs and a slew of upgradable weapons.
The last thing to talk about would be those upgrades. before and several times in each level you can choose and upgrade your load out for your "Jumper" choosing the gun, grenade, and "back pack perk". All of the upgrades are done with "Goo" which you get from killing evil space bugs. The Goo does introduce an interesting risk reward system that may tempt you to take on extra fights in tough terrain in order to farm more goo vs ending the stage safely.
Overall for the price I cannot recommend Hive Jump enough. To me it is the kind of game that Nintendo would have made if they came out with a SNES 2 instead of making the jump to 3d with the N64. The controls are tight, the enemies are engaging and satisfying to kill, and the story line and writing are better than have to be for a $10 indie game. The only reason I took a point off for was the lack of online co-op on Switch, which is probably not really on the devs vs Nintendo not having a great online service at the moment.
Give this one a shot and kill some bugs!
Hive Jump is an okay-ish roguelike with interesting run 'n' gun segments to back it up. Where the game really falls short is in how it packages its content. The main campaign repeats environments and enemies way too much for its own good, leaving a sour taste. The levels are too alike and the strategy elements between the stages aren't all that great. The extra modes can be decently fun, though they won't last for nearly as long. Overall, I really wanted to like Hive Jump a lot more, but as things progressed I became less of a fan.
Hive Jump is certainly not the next best roguelike on the market. Many of the levels blend together too much and makes everything feel way too familiar.
Hive Jump is a good representation of its genre. The concept of the backpack and weapons overheating are fresh and compliment the experience well. Lots of goodies and weapons to unlock as well. The multiplayer is the most fun.
Overall, it's worth checking out.
Hive Jump brings waves of enemies in for a fun and exhilarating experience that will keep you at the edge of your seat the whole time. The idea of Hive Jump was implemented in a way that engages those who play and is rewardingly difficult, but not impossible to beat. The 2D perspective gave this platformer a perfect visual and allowed the creater to enhance the game play experience.
This game reminds me of Metroid with the shooting and navigation as well as the art style. The difficulty of the game presents a challenge for all who attempt but as I mentioned earlier, is rewarding. There is an interesting respawn mechanic where you have to protect your backpack until you are able to respawn which adds some reassurance of returning safely but this can become overwhelming at the same time.
All in all, I enjoyed the game play and style of the game as well as the mechanics implemented within the game. I believe it is worth a try and know that whomever will receive satisfaction from it!
SummaryJump together or die alone!
In the 24th century, humanity is at war with a hostile alien race. Outnumbered a million to one, mankind's only hope of survival is the J.U.M.P. Corps. You and your friends assume the role of JUMPERS, and blast your way through subterranean alien hives in chaotic run-and-gun 2D platforming action. Up to 4 P...