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Death Jr. Review: Is It Worth Investing In?

Death Jr Cover

Death Jr. Review: Is It Worth Investing In?

Death Jr. published by Konami for PlayStation Portable in 2005 is a platforming video game. Death Jr. and his unholy crew of freaks are on a stroll when they come across a mysterious box. Pandora, who can’t keep her hands off of anything decides to open it, hereby unleashing the demon Moloch and his army of horrific creatures. The gang is assaulted by hordes of demons, spiders, ghosts, bats and other creepy enemies. Now for the important question, is it worth picking a copy up? Let’s find out.

Death Jr. Gameplay

Death Jr Screenshot
Death Jr. fighting scary creatures.

Blending platforming, fighting, adventure and puzzle elements the gameplay is diverse with a focus on action. Around each turn is a maze of enemies that will engage you. Button mashing is the order of the day but it’s not mindless button mashing. There is a lot of strafing, circle strafing and platform jumping required if you are to avoid taking on these various enemy formations and the projectiles, they attack you with.

Your original weapon is the scythe. It can be used to slice up enemies as well as to grab onto ledges. Unfortunately, the camera goes wild during platforming and fighting while it desperately tries to find a new point of reference. It’s not as though the 3D environment is that detailed that the camera can’t adapt quickly. While it’s jockeying for position you will certainly miss ledges in the process and fall to your demise

Weapons and Controls in Death Jr.

Death Jr Screenshot
Various weaponry will help battle enemies.

Weapons such as flamethrowers, shotguns, rocket launchers, freeze throwers, chain guns and dual pistols can be acquired by busting open crates. Don’t forget the exploding hamsters. The shotgun isn’t very effective, but the flamethrower is too effective. It takes some of the challenge out of the game, but it is sure satisfying to bring out when you get totally frustrated and overwhelmed. Accessing the inventory menu can slow you down especially if you have to get to a certain weapon quickly. There is no quick-pick feature.

Some buttons perform dual duty and it’s easy to access the wrong move in the middle of a fall or intense fight. Speaking of intense, there are some enemies, most notably the Kamikazes that get up and run right toward you. You have to make sure to pick them off immediately otherwise they’ll crush you like tinfoil. It’s not easy accessing the right moves in such panic situations which this game is good at creating.

DJ always has his scythe at his side which does a decent job, but it’s the weapons that DJ earns at the end of each level which elevate this gaming experience far and beyond simple jumping and climbing. Since it’s more effective to shoot everything than get up close and personal with the scythe, Death Jr. quickly becomes a trigger-happy button masher with rare incidents of platforming like the scythe helicopter trick etc.

Last Words

Overall, the production of the game feels rushed. The story meanders and there are no voice overs. The colors are mostly dark purples, blues and various shades of black which don’t lend themselves to a handheld system. Some characters, including Death Jr. get swallowed up in the environments from time to time. Some of the creatures do have the Burton appeal but there isn’t enough animation to give them the depth required to make them uniquely strange and memorable.

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