Air Bounce – The Jump ‘n’ Run Challenge review

Air Bounce – The Jump ‘n’ Run Challenge doesn’t feature any story; as the game is a 3D first-person platformer. Players are tasked to running (rolling?), bouncing and jumping from platform to platform in order to reach the ending of each level by avoiding various hazards such as bottomless pits.

The game features a total of 45 levels spread across 9 worlds. Each level is uniquely designed with its own traps, pain in the ass jumping and hidden paths. The player has only one speed and that’s running. Given the speed, it can be a chore trying to maintain balance on a plank. Thankfully, in order to successfully survive longer jumps, you can pick up 2x jumps which allow players to jump a second time in mid-air. Despite this useful boost, jumps need to be done precisely with accurate timing as sometimes the boost alone won’t be enough to carry you.

The game’s biggest problem is the controls. They feel loose which makes simply jumping a chore and very hit and miss. The developers call this hardcore platformer but the fact that the game controls like ass isn’t really a justifiable way to call a game “hardcore”. But given the game is called Air Bounce, we can only assume we “play” as a bouncing ball. Trying to set up a jump on a narrow path to get through a seemingly impossible jump will be the source of multiple frustrations and deaths.

If you can adjust (i.e. tolerate) the controls, the game does have a bit of fun hidden somewhere. While the premise sounds a bit simplistic and very linear, Air Bounce – The Jump ‘n’ Run Challenge features hidden paths to find, and also Achievement hunters will have a field day trying to get 1000 Gs as it features secret achievements (without an Achievement guide obviously).

Overall the game looks great; while levels are colorful, they look pretty simple and minimalistic; devoid of all details and intricacies of other 3D platformers such as Yooka-Laylee or Super Foxy’s Tale. They match the minimalistic premise of the game; so much so that the game can be mistaken for a Game preview or demo, unfortunately. The soundtrack is, however, one of the game’s best features. It’s a bit of lite techno/electronic music; it’s pretty upbeat and enjoyable; just don’t expect to have it haunt you.

If you’re looking for a 3D platformer, this ain’t it chief. Air Bounce will get boring after 15 minutes of play or you’ll be infuriated by the game’s poor controls within a very simplistic premise. DOOM Eternal and Super Foxy’s tale do 3D platforming much much better; don’t waste your money on this one.