Jydge for ios review

Game Title: Jydge
Developed By: 10tons
Published By: 10tons
Released: January 18, 2018
Platform: Apple (Universal)
Genre: Action
Age Rating: 12+ for Infrequent/Mild Realistic Violence, Frequent/Intense Cartoon or Fantasy Violence
Number of Players: 1 Player
Price: $9.99
Compatible with devices on iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Reviewed by: Jason Boucher (Indie Game Lover)

Thank you 10tons for providing the review copy!

Out of all the twin stick shooters on the iPhone, Jydge is my favorite twin stick shooter currently just beating out Neon Chrome by just a hair. 10tons keep hitting it out of the park! Jydge takes place in the Neon Chrome universe and has many nods to that game. Jydge has the action gameplay, with an upgrade system that is unbelievable. There are tons of replay value here, and will have you coming back constantly to unlock the latest perks/upgrades.

You are a Jydge that is part of a city-wide initiative to stop the criminals that are ruining your city. You will take part in about twenty missions ranging from stopping bank robberies, to putting an end to street riots, to rescuing hostages. Each level is unique and has that Neon Chrome look to it. The level design is incredible, as it allows you many ways to complete the mission. There are multiple entry points, and depending on what perks you have equipped, you may be able to stealth your way in, or go in guns blazing. Each level has three normal medals to earn, and three hardcore medals to earn, for a grand total of 138 different medals (challenges) to complete. Normal challenges will consist of things like fulfilling your main goal of the mission, not taking any damage, destroy all enemies, complete the level in twenty seconds, to rescuing all the hostages. The hardcore mode as even more challenges with more enemies and hostages to rescue. The addictive loop here is the progression system. I don’t think I have ever seen so many upgrades in a game, it’s quite staggering. Each level you complete will earn you cold, hard cash. The levels are quite generous in giving you money, and if you take your time and destroy every little thing you will earn even more. In the Bank robbery level, I would make maybe two thousand dollars, but I destroyed ATM’s, desks, just everything I could and made almost ten thousand dollars! Now this may seem excessive, but trust me you will need every dollar.

The first progression system is for you, the Jydge. You can equip up to four different Cyberware enhancements at a given time. How many are there? Oh, just a few, say thirty-five! These totally change the way you play the game, and will aid you in completing certain medals. There are Cyberware that enhance your life, make you faster, let you hack boxes, and let you see more of the level by zooming out, etc. These are just a fraction of what is available. The way you tackle a level will depend on what Cyberware you have equipped. Now the Gavel is your gun, and has its own progression system. There are fourteen different bullets you can equip and experiment with. Lead byllets, shotgyn, plasma, lasers, are just a few of the different ammo you can unlock. Now each bullet type can be upgraded with your money, up to ten levels, which increases the damage dealt to enemies. Mods are another way to customize your weapon and you can equip up to three different ones at a given time. There are twenty-five of these perks to spend all that money on. Mods range from, every time you reload plasma shoots out, to bullets piercing through walls. Lastly, the gavel comes with a special ammo, like rockets, shock orbs, or stun grenades. You can see why you earn so much money, because everything costs money to upgrade or unlock. As for as special ammo and regular ammo, you can only choose one, so choose carefully. With all these ways to customize your Jydge, you really do get different ways to play through a level. It is totally up to you, and I love it. It makes replaying levels a blast as I wanted to unlock every perk/upgrade and try them out. Another thing I appreciate is if you fail a level, you are given shortcuts to all your perks to switch them out on the fly, without having to go back to the main hub.

In each Act, there is a quick narrative that moves the story along. The graphics are all great, and remind of Neon Chrome. There is lots of hot pink signs and flamingos around the levels. 10tons is fantastic at making the kills feel satisfying. There is some blood when you kill an enemy but not too excessive. If feels like the this takes place in the like an 80’s future, from the music, to the look of the levels. The music is fantastic! I really have nothing negative to say. There are even secrets to discover as you make your way through the game!

The game is almost completely the same on the iOS version of the game. It  only suffers from touchscreen controls which is a limitation based on the platform it's on. It’s not that controls are horrible, it’s just hard to be precise using only the touch screen. 10tons has tried to deal with this problem by adding a auto aim that helps a lot when using only the touch screen. In fact, if you take off auto aim I felt like I wasn’t as accurate. Now if you have a mifi controller for your iPhone or iPad, then this is the way to play and works beautifully, just like other versions of the game.
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Jydge is the pinnacle of the action, twin stick shooter genre. I have had a blast playing though the game, and still find myself coming back to earn more money to level up my ammos, etc. Your jydge is totally customizable and allows you to play the way you want to. I implore all of you to stop what you are doing and buy this fantastic twin stick shooter. In my honest opinion, this is the best twin stick shooter out on the iOS platform.

Score: 90% Fantastic
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 4.5/5
Controls: 4/5
Stability: 5/5