2020 video game
Pumpkin Jack is a video game developed by Nicolas Meyssonnier and published by Headup Games. It was released for Windows, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One in 2020 and PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2021. It combines elements of action-adventure games, 3D platform games, and hack and slash gameplay.
Gameplay
Players control a spirit revived as a pumpkin-headed man on Halloween. Together with his two companions, an owl and a crow, players guide Pumpkin Jack through various puzzles and 3D platforms to defeat humanity. Jack can engage in melee combat using various weapons, including a shovel, scythe, and magic sword.[2][3]
Development
Nicolas Meyssonnier made Pumpkin Jack mostly by himself. Adrien Lucas helped port the game to consoles, and Yohan Jager composed the music.[4] Headup Games released the game for Windows, Xbox One, and Switch on October 23, 2020; PlayStation 4 on February 24, 2021; and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/s on October 27, 2021.[5]
Reception
On Metacritic, Pumpkin Jack received positive reviews on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5,[6][7] and it received mixed reviews on Windows and Nintendo Switch.[8][9] Hardcore Gamer praised the variety of gameplay styles and said that it is fun despite some rough edges.[2] Commenting on its retro PlayStation 2-style gameplay, Push Square wrote that it is a "game that knows exactly what it wants to be, and delivers with confidence".[3] Nintendo Life called it "an absolute triumph" and compared it positively to MediEvil.[10] Though they criticized the combat, NintendoWorldReport found it "surprisingly charming" and praised the platform elements.[11]
