DeVuego

LumbearJack is the kind of game that I find hard to put a score on. I love its look and the cutscenes between levels, but the experience is brief and the gameplay is both very easy and a bit repetitive. I’d also be lying if I said it wasn’t satisfying having Jack demolish all sorts of things in his way and seeing the greenery return to the forest. So after thinking about it, I would say that I did like LumbearJack and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a chill game with light puzzle elements, but it certainly won’t be for everyone. It’s a good game, you just need to know what you’re getting into before you jump in. 

When I played the demo of LumbearJack back in February, I got the feeling that we’d already seen a good chunk of the game in it. It didn’t strike me as a game that would or could have much more to it. I can’t say I was wrong. The demo ended up being about a third of the whole game. And yet, I’m not disappointed. It’s just the right length for what it is, not overstaying its welcome to a point of inducing boredom. Plus, well, you know, the whole “Maggie loves environmental edutainment games” thing. 

LumbearJack is easy to write off as a game simply for kids. However, give it a chance and you may just learn something as well as having a smashing time in the process.

LumbearJack is a casual game that offers a fun-filled albeit super-short campaign that'll make you smile as you play. It may not be even remotely challenging but what you get is an overall satisfying little game that you'll think fondly back on after the end credits roll.

I think I have to accept that LumbearJack just isn’t a game for me. It’s got a super cute art style and a fun core concept, but the gameplay always felt just a little dry. If you’ve got a kiddo around that’s too young for Diablo or Torchlight, I think this could be a fun introduction to isometric action. Otherwise, it feels a bit like giving Power Wash Simulator to a fan of first-person shooters. They might like it in concept, but the execution might be a bit too relaxed.

It’s a shame, because despite its admirable environmental message LumbearJack is a tough title to recommend – even for younger players.