I have to admit, at first I thought Gear Jack was nothing more than a future-ified Wind-up Knight. In fact, that is a pretty apt description, but it doesn’t do the game justice. Wind-up Knight was easy and sure it was a good game, but with no progressive story line it became very repetitive. Gear Jack is a challenge — and I mean that as a compliment. The game is an side-scrolling auto-runner, like Canabalt or Mirror’s Edge, but where it differs is the art, difficulty, and end goal.

You play Jack, a robot on the W.HALE which has been in space for 25 years and is falling apart. Jack must evacuate through the holes, gaps, gears, and other detritus as soon as possible if he wants to survive.

Evacute the W.HALE!

As mentioned above, Gear Jack is challenging. Now my idea of what that means may vary from yours. I am a fan of hard games, unforgiving games… mean games. Gear Jack is not sadistic, but it can be very hard, and I only mean this as a compliment. For those who don’t like to stress sweat continuously, there are a few things to make the game slightly easier. The levels are long, but there are checkpoints here and there so you don’t have to start over when Jack dies… and as a fair warning, Jack will die. You can also upgrade Jack throughout the game in the garage.

Jack also has a few very Tony Hawk-esque moves in his repertoire (and by few I mean 30). There is a button to slow time, so that you can enjoy these moves in their full glory, or simply to catch your breath and wipe the sweat from your hands.  The buttons are simple, with only jump and duck buttons needed to complete the levels. These buttons are huge and hard to miss, but transparent and don’t detract from gameplay.

The only easy stretch in the whole game!

The graphics in Gear Jack are very impressive — clean and contrasting, the visual experience is almost worth the price alone. With the pace of this game being what it is, I don’t think I’d be able to pick up on any more detail regardless. The graphics may be the one benefit to Jack constantly dying, in that you get to take a look around.

• The Good: Incredible art, challenging gameplay, upgradeable character.
• The Bad: May be too challenging for some.
• Price: $0.99
• Developer: Josh Presseisen

Rating 4/5 Stars