Quick Review: JumpJet Rex

Okay, but hear me out: T-rex with jet shoes.

Astronaut Rex, reporting for duty!

A creation of TreeFortress Games released on April 21st, 2015, JumpJet Rex is the story of Rex, from a group of dinosaurs that evolved to space-travel. However, a meteor threatens Earth and the unevolved dino brethren, so Rex has to travel across the universe to blow the meteor up before it strikes the pale blue dot. Rex must float through several levels and collect stars in order to reach the planet.

This game can be played using only the keyboard or a mix of keyboard and mouse. Rex relies on his shoes for all transportation, moving left or right; he can hop, or float upwards; the first is slower but easier to control, the second is faster but more unwieldy. Rex can dash in either direction, which can be used to defeat some enemies or speed through obstacles; the dash also creates a blast in the opposite direction. Last but not least, the tyrannosaurus can do a spin attack.

Spikes, robots and lasers, of my!

This game is mainly a platformer, though a handful of levels feel almost like mini-game challenges. In a level, Rex has to reach the finish line, which can only be accessed after he’s passed through a certain number of rings; if you forgot one and the door doesn’t open, there are instances where you might just have to start the level over.

Two down, one more to go!
Can Rex beat the timer?

In order to progress, Rex collects stars. Each level has three stars: One is earned by beating the level, another by beating the level without dying, and a third by beating the level within a time limit. Ah, good old speedrun-like challenges. Out of 129 stars spread across 43 levels, he has to collect 89 to get to the final boss. On top of that, every level also contains a hidden treasure to look for, which will then be added to the Dinonaut Base, and also bonus stages. Last but not least, each level is packed with coins to collect, and you can use that money in the few shops on the way to unlock new outfits or appearances for Rex, many of which are classic video game references. A Mario head anyone?

I've died 100 times already, it's only appropriate
that I buy a halo for my head.

You can even race your previous self to try
and beat your previous best time!

The concept is deceptively simple, but DAMN does it get insanely difficult past the midway point. Some levels are still relatively easy enough that you might beat them without losing a life and within the goal time without even trying (it’s happened to me a couple times), but some levels make it much more difficult. There are levels that are genuine tests of patience, in which you must maneuver Rex through tight passages – passages only as wide as one block, sometimes with spikes on the walls/blocks above and beneath. One pixel too high or too low, and you can kiss that “no-death” star goodbye. Some levels don’t even have checkpoints!

As a bonus, the game includes two multiplayer modes: One is PvP, including player battles or races around existing levels. On the opposite end, there’s a co-op mode where players can help each other in clearing levels. On top of that, in single-player, each level keeps track of the player’s time and ranking, comparing it to every other player’s.

So clean and pretty, from a distance you might
not even be able to tell it's 16bit.

Did I mention it gets really damn hard later on?
I'm not showing the final level, that one is
just... goddamn brutal.

When I really enjoy a game, I try to see it to the end, even for my Quick Reviews. This one has great music, looks awesome in its 16-bit glory, a fully-customizable character, plenty of multiplayer stuff, and offers a great challenge that’s not too bad at first, but goes through pretty intense spikes after a while, to the point of becoming quite unforgiving. The game is offered in two difficulties: Easy, in which Rex can survive one hit before actually dying, and Normal, in which Rex dies as soon as he’s hit. Beating the game opens an even harder difficulty where your lives are limited to 3. (For the record, I died over 500 times while playing through this one…)

I’d say it’s worth checking out. Especially if you seek something along the lines of a collect-a-thon, or  a speedrun-friendly platformer title. Either way, if you start playing this one, good luck – if you want to see it to the end, you’re gonna need it!

JumpJet Rex is available for 9.99$ USD.