Jack Lumber
| Jack Lumber | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Owlchemy Labs |
| Publisher(s) | Sega (iOS) Owlchemy Labs (Win, Mac, Lin, Droid)[1] |
| Platform(s) | iOS Microsoft Windows OS X Linux Android Windows Phone |
| Release | iOS 16 August 2012 Windows, OS X, Linux 30 April 2013 Android 19 July 2013 Windows Phone 16 July 2014 |
| Genre(s) | Arcade, action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Jack Lumber is a video game developed by Owlchemy Labs.[2][3][4] The iOS version was the first game published by Sega's third-party publishing program Sega Alliance.[5][6]
In addition to mobile stores, the game is also available on Steam. This version was released independent of Sega because, according to Owlchemy Labs founder Alex Schwartz, "[W]orking with publishers has been a big experiment, and so far it hasn’t been financially successful for Owlchemy." There are also plans to release it on other platforms that "don’t involve a publisher."[7]
Plot[edit]
At the beginning of the game, a cutscene shows the death of lumberjack protagonist Jack Lumber's grandma when an evil tree falls on her. Jack is outraged, and goes on a rampage, cutting down every tree he sees on his way to fight the evil tree and keeping the animals he comes across in his cabin. The story progresses through letters from a competing lumberjack and a park ranger.[8]
Gameplay[edit]
The game is a slicing game along the lines of Fruit Ninja,[3] but according to Eli Hodapp of Touch Arcade, "it feels like the game is only merely inspired by the Fruit Ninja mechanic instead of just falling in line with other re-skins and clones".[9] In order to avenge Jack's grandma, the player must slice logs that fly across the screen longways, and sometimes with additional restrictions like multiple required swipes or logs you can only cut in one direction. When the player begins a swipe, the logs slow to "Lumbertime" (extreme slowdown) and a countdown timer begins. The player must slice all the logs correctly before the time runs out. Bonus points are awarded for special slices such as straight shots and syrup bottles, and woodland animals sometimes show up that need to be avoided.[2][8][10][11]
Like many mobile games, unlockables abound and in-app purchases are available. Beards increase the difficulty but give higher point values, syrup gives the player certain one-time perks like the ability to redo a cut, and paintings provide decoration in Jack's cabin.[4] Optional side missions are assigned three at a time and give small bonuses of logs, the in-game currency. Completing the main game will unlock "Infinitree" mode, a mode with endless logs to cut and three lives.[8]
Reception[edit]
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 85.00%[12] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| GameZone | 8/10[3] |
| IGN | 8/10[2] |
| Polygon | 8.0/10[4] |
| AppSpy | 3/5[10] |
| 148 Apps |   [5] |
| MacLife |  [11] |
Polyon's Chris Plante titled his review "Axe-identally in love" and concluded by saying "Jack Lumber is quirky, stylized, and unlike anything on iOS."[4] David Flodine of AppSpy said that it's "kinda like Fruit Ninja with bullet time".[10] To promote the game, the developers showed it off at the 2012 World Lumberjack Championships.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ "Jack Lumber - Overview". AllGame. Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Davis, Justin (22 August 2012). "Jack Lumber Review". IGN. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ a b c Faciane, Alex (19 September 2012). "Jack Lumber (iOS) Review". GameZone Next. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d Plante, Chris (16 August 2012). "Jack Lumber (iOS) review: Axe-identally in love". Vox Media. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ a b Dotson, Carter (21 August 2012). "Jack Lumber Review". Steel Media Ventures. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ Hillier, Brenna (17 August 2012). "Sega Alliance launched as new indie publishing scheme". vg247. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ^ Carmichael, Stephanie (30 April 2013). "Mobile game Jack Lumber now chopping on Steam". GameZone. GameZone Next. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Acavedo, Paul (16 July 2014). "Jack Lumber review—Easily the best lumberjack game on Windows Phone". Mobile Nations. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ^ a b Hodapp, Eli (30 October 2012). "Actual Lumberjacks on Owlchemy Labs' 'Jack Lumber'". TouchArcade.com LLC. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ a b c Flodine, Dave (28 August 2012). "Jack Lumber Review". Steel Media, Ltd. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ a b Albert, Brian (28 September 2012). "Jack Lumber Review". Future US, Inc. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ^ "Jack Lumber on GameRankings". CBS Interactive, Inc. Retrieved 12 November 2014.