Jubilee | PS5

Debt is a prison sentence in the making. A lesson learned by our fairytale female protagonist in this indie puzzle platformer known as "Jubilee". You find yourself, as the designated damsel in distress, locked away in a maze-like prison filled with gems, animals, and the odd cellmate who also finds themselves a prisoner of an unknown antagonist. Your backstory isn't initially known, but by discovering secret pages, and talking to the local lawbreakers you'll find your bearings quick enough. You'll learn in due time that you are facing a perilous collect-a-thon to collect enough gems to pay your way out of this Hell hold. 

As the female protagonist you have three abilities with which to navigate the labyrinthine interior of the prison. This includes a jump, double jump, and wall jump. Utilizing these simple tools you'll need to collect gems, and deposit them at shrines in order to rack up the 999 needed for your release. This task is easier said than done as there are instant death traps, and hazards scattered about. Should you master the mechanics though you can take on the side objective that is scouting for hidden secret pages, and animals that need rescuing. The latter of which comes with a bio made accessible via the OPTIONS menu. 

As you platform your way along collecting the gems, and rescuing the animals you'll find that NPCs lie in wait giving hints about gameplay while fleshing out the backstory. Giving purpose to the arduous undertaking. While the initial playthrough of each area or environmentally themed zone is a must there is a fast travel method by which completion is made easier. 

To avoid the troubles of backtracking the game allows for fast travel between these save point statues through the OPTIONS menu making the meticulous Metroidvania experience less daunting. If you missed something along the way this can definitely be helpful, but mind your current stock of gems for if you travel before depositing them you'll have to get them all over again. Depositing gems is done simply by stopping by symbol inclusive shrines that are scattered about each zone's interior.

Seeing as Jubilee is one of those brutal platforming challenges the developer has included an additional list of tallied feats within the OPTIONS menu. A way to mock unworthy attempts, and to praise the progress of those who have perfected their playthroughs. This includes the number of gems collected, the number of animals rescued, the number of secret pages found, how many times you died, and the time you've spent playing. Something that is complimented by a bestiary of sorts showcasing animal avatars, their bios, and the textual/contextual content of the secret pages. Something to keep you on that path to 100%.

The Presentation ...

Pint sized pixel made characters dot the prison landscape which is also heavily pixel constructed. The characters being animated, and the environmental elements more static by design. The world and it's inhabitants take on a fairytale facade that is complimented by a whimsical soundtrack filled with fantasy tunes. That, and the odd sound byte that adds vocals to the otherwise silent protagonist. A grunt when she dies, and not much beyond that. 

The Verdict ...

Jubilee is a game for people who are glutton for punishment, just kidding ... or, am I!? It is a very challenging puzzle platformer with minimal mechanics, that to some degree, artificially enhance the difficulty of progress. By that I mean movement is speedy, but jumping, double jumping, and wall jumping requires precise presses for proper platforming. It makes things difficult in that pressing jump again at the wrong moment (too early or too late) can send you plummeting to your doom. Thankfully fast travel does help some to remedy this progress problem. That, and the statues that bank gems are a godsend when you happen upon them. 

All things weighed Jubilee is what it aims to be. A highly challenging puzzle platformer with collect-a-thon elements. Something that was created with care, and an attention to detail. While I do find movement, and jumping to be somewhat problematic I understand that's part of the package. It was intentional, and will require patience to prevail. If you have the patience, and are willing to give it the time of day, Jubilee is a proper challenge that's available now as you read this review!!!