Release Date: October 23, 2020
Three-dimensional action platformer, inspired by MediEvil and Jak & Daxter series. In Pumpkin Jack we play the title character, whose task is to stop the sorcerer defending the Boredom Kingdom.
Pumpkin Jack is a three-dimensional action platformer inspired by the classics from the genre, especially MediEvil series. The game is the result of a collaboration between Headup Games and an independent developer, Nicolas Meyssonnier.
Pumpkin Jack takes us on a journey to the Boredom Kingdom, a fantastic land whose inhabitants have so far lived together in harmony... and boredom. The Devil, who had enough of eternal peace, decided to put an end to it once and for all and cast a curse on these lands, bringing to them all sorts of monsters. People did not look idle and called for the help of a powerful sorcerer. However, the devil had another ace up his sleeve - the spirit of Jack, or Pumpkin Lord, he called him, hit the very centre of the war between the forces of good and evil. His task is to destroy the sorcerer before he can restore the old order and boredom to the kingdom.
In Pumpkin Jack, the action is shown from a third person perspective (TPP). The game was divided into seven stages, designed in the style of Halloween; the list includes a gloomy cemetery and a dark forest. By walking through them, we avoid numerous traps, jump on platforms and look for secrets, and face hordes of enemies, led by powerful bosses. The gameplay is varied by environmental puzzles, the solving of which often requires taking control over Jack's head detached from the rest of his body. It is worth adding that the hero does not travel alone - he is accompanied by, among others, an owl acting as a guide, as well as a crow, which helps him in the fight.
In dynamic battles, Jack has to make quick dodges and launch rapid counter-attacks. The hero can fight both in close combat, attacking enemies with white weapons (and to make impressive combos), and at a distance, using a shotgun. As he progresses, the protagonist unlocks new weapons and special abilities that give him an advantage over the defenders of boredom.
Pumpkin Jack is powered by Unreal Engine technology. The game has pleasant to the eye graphics maintained in a dark but colourful style. The atmosphere inspired by Halloween is also created by adequate music.
Platforms:
PC Windows October 23, 2020
PlayStation 4 February 24, 2021
Xbox One October 23, 2020
Nintendo Switch October 23, 2020
PlayStation 5 October 27, 2021
Xbox Series X/S October 27, 2021
Developer: Evil Raptor / Nicolas Meyssonnier
Publisher: Headup Games
Age restrictions: 12+
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System Requirements for Pumpkin Jack Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-3330 3.0 GHz / AMD FX-8300 3.3 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 760 / Radeon R9 270 or better, 5 GB HDD, Windows 7.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-4690 3.5 GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 1300X 3.5 GHz, 6 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti / Radeon RX 560 or better, 5 GB HDD, Windows 10.
Game Ratings for Pumpkin Jack Video Game.
Nintendo Life: 8 / 10 by Oliver Reynolds
Pumpkin Jack is an absolute triumph. For a debut title, it's remarkably confident in its vision, delivering a delightfully spooky experience that feels very familiar to MediEvil without outright copying it; in fact, with MediEvil's controls feeling distinctly dated by 2020 standards, we'd go so far as to say Pumpkin Jack is superior. The controls are slick with satisfying combat mechanics, and while the platforming can occasionally feel a bit frustrating, it's mostly very well done. Visuals in handheld mode can look a little grotty, so we'd recommend playing on the TV if you can, and make sure you crank up that camera sensitivity. Fear not though, folks; Halloween is well and truly alive in 2020 thanks to Pumpkin Jack.
Destructoid: 7 / 10 by Brett Makedonski
When you go trick-or-treating, you don't come back 100 percent with candy you love. There's some bleh stuff mixed in, stuff that you put up with to get to the candy you can't wait to eat. That's a perfect analog for Pumpkin Jack. You'll push past parts of it because this mascot platformer has some really great qualities. And, when viewed as a whole, a bucket full of candy ain't so bad.
TheSixthAxis: 7 / 10
Pumpkin Jack is a fun and nostalgic title that is perfectly placed to be your Halloween game this year. Highly recommended for any fans of old school platforming adventures, but also worth checking out for the spookier sorts too. It doesn't revolutionise anything, but it also doesn't outstay its welcome, and the fact that it is the work of a solo developer makes it even more impressive. This particular pumpkin deserves to carve out some of your seasonal gaming time.
Average score from votes.