Junkster Review

3D action platformers are great and all, but what about one with building mechanics included? Well, developer Stormcloud Games has created just that with Junkster! Bearing the tagline “The comic-book adventures of a little robot”, this looks and sounds like a charming platformer that could be something special. But is it just that? Or is Junkster just junk? Bad jokes aside, let’s dive in and take a look!

Right away, the presentation of Junkster is impressive. Instead of a typical main menu, we open with an alien hand selecting different comic books: one to start the game, one to view collectibles, and an options comic. It’s a small detail, but one that instantly shows you the kind of stylistic title Junkster is going to be. Off to an impressive start!

Anyways, the story opens as a series of comic panels in which our main character, UM-13, crash-lands on a junk planet. Now, using their robo-wrench, UM-13 will need to use the discarded scrap littering this world in order to navigate its treacherous environments, repair their ship, and escape!

It’s not really worth spending a lot of time talking about the narrative, because there really isn’t too much to say. You’ll meet some quirky characters across your adventure, but don’t be expecting a blow-away story. It’s a 3D platform, and what’s here is good enough.

Now, visually, Junkster is one of the most original-looking titles I’ve played in a long time. It has so much charm and really does look like a comic come to life. The start of each level has comic panels that you (in first-person as an alien) are reading. These then transition into gameplay, and it works really well and looks super stylish.

The actual 3D environments aren’t quite as appealing, and a tad more colour and variety would have been nice. On a more positive note, I love the design of UM-13. Sort of like Futurama’s Bender, but shorter and with a coat of bronze paint, UM-13 is pretty adorable for a robot!

The animations were what really impressed me, though. From their visor flapping when moving, to switching to skates when sprinting, to the physical change in posture and movement as you take damage. It’s genuinely impressive how much character shines through thanks to these animations.

Switching to audio, whilst it does the job, just like the narrative, there really isn’t all that much to say. The background music sounds fine, with the techno/industrial beats fitting the overall theme of the game. I did find that some tracks didn’t loop instantly, leading to the game being eerily quiet for a minute or two. Sound effects are plentiful and suitably mechanical and crunchy. Hearing a thwack as I take out an enemy, only for the actual word “THWACK!” to appear in a freeze frame (complete with comic-panelled edges around the screen), just ties together this package perfectly.

At first, you may pass Junkster off as a standard 3D platformer. You’ve got your jump button, which allows you to double jump and also float slowly back to the ground when held. There’s also a one-button combo attack for dealing with troublesome aliens and robots or smashing crates and junk piles by swinging your robo-wrench. And that’s pretty much it when it comes to the basic platforming! There are collectibles to find in each level, as well as hidden stickers, and even the odd pickup that, when collected, activates a time-trial-like mini-game where you’ll need to collect all the pieces of a cog before the timer runs out. It works well, the controls are precise, and jumping doesn’t feel too floaty. All in all, not bad for a basic platformer…

However, Junkster is anything but a basic platformer. You see, UM-13 is a construction bot, meaning they are able to build bridges, fix broken machinery, and solve puzzles, all by using various scrap components lying around the world! Mechanically, it’s quite simple. You collect various parts, from standard platform sections to specific pieces used to solve puzzles. They can be walked over or pulled towards you from range in order to collect them. They’ll then stay in your inventory until used or until you complete the level.

At first, these are just used to cross gaps too large to jump across, or reach platforms too high to jump up to. You can place objects by aiming at specific points (no free building here, unfortunately) and pressing R2. It can get a bit fiddly when trying to join pieces together, but overall it works quite well. Some puzzles require certain shaped blocks to be placed in a particular order. By holding the R2, you enter a build mode, which lets you fine-tune the placement of the objects by rotating them or moving them around. They aren’t difficult puzzles by any means, although this could be an ideal introduction to platformers for the younger generation!

Eventually, you’ll be building various vehicles, such as a mech or a lawnmower-type machine, in order to help you progress across hazardous terrain. These allow a bit of freedom to build; for example, the mech must have legs and a cockpit, but anything in between is fair game. Creating a robot with a long body made of scaffolding beams may look silly, but that extra height will let you nab some out-of-reach collectibles!

I was surprised by Junkster. A game I’d heard nothing about until this review, this was a pleasantly fun and unique take on the 3D platform genre. Whilst some may not be impressed by the relatively simple building mechanics, to me, it really gives it that extra something special. Combined with a wonderful art style, it’s hard to be overly negative about some of Junkster’s shortcomings. Yes, it’s relatively basic, and controls can be awkward, but for such a low-cost game, it really could be a lot worse! If you’re a fan of platformers and are looking for something with its own spin on the genre, then this is one to check out!