UPDATE: We’ve now included impressions of the Nintendo Switch version. See below!
As if we didn’t already have an overflow of inspired first-person shooters from the 90s era, we get something absolutely nutballs like Mullet MadJack.
This intriguing-sounding title, from the team at HAMMER95, focuses on a hero left with a curious scenario – kill a bunch of robot billionaires in a ten-second time frame, or die as a result. Think of it like Crank, but instead of Jason Statham, you have a bad-ass 90s dude that looks like he came out of the world of Snatcher.
But there’s more. There’s a girl being held hostage, and in order to rescue her, you have to rinse and repeat the killing of robo-billionaires across ten floors. If you can survive that long, that is.
Is the game frenetic? Sure. Is it sloppy? In spots, it can be. But I can honestly assure you that you’ve never played a 90s-inspired shooter so fast-paced – and exciting – as this. Once you pick it up, you may be tempted to keep MadJack’s runs going.
Free Running
The game reminds me of the classic Bulletstorm, in a way. You’re given the task of killing your robo-assailants, but have plenty of ways to do it. Sure, you can shoot them, but there are items within the environment that allow you to bump them off in incredible ways. For instance, kicking a poor schlep into a spinning fan.
Of course, being indie, this game doesn’t have Bulletstorm’s extravagant budget. But it makes do with its indie settings, creating an upbeat gameplay experience that never lets up. Of course, that’s the idea – build on the excitement and keep it going as you off more and more opponents, in the hopes of rescuing the damsel in distress.
Of course, there are bosses as well, but over the course of the game, you can build up enough firepower to take them on while avoiding taking yourself out. What’s more, there’s a TV show host-style assistant that provides upgrades that can really up your chances of survival – when she’s not trying to annoy you, that is.
Now, being a roguelike, you’ll lose these if you manage to die. But they’re easy to reacquire on the next run, and you might even earn something powerful the next time around – always a plus.
Gameplay is absolutely fast, so you’ll need to stay on your toes with this one. But HAMMER95 has kept things nice and responsive, and executing lavish kills is a huge plus. It delivers a pump of adrenaline that keeps you going into the next stage. It can be a bit much in certain spots, but, hey, that’s just staying alive for you.
There’s also “unboxing” to take on, as well as an Endless Mode, where you keep going on and on. It’s as insane as it sounds, and good fun.
Those who aren’t quite up to the challenge may want to sit this one out. However, veterans of first-person shooters and speedrunners should sign up for Mullet MadJack without hesitation.
A Sweet Looking Run
For a fast-paced shoot-em-up, HAMMER95 has truly loaded the game with fun visuals. It appears like a classic anime, complete with little touches like the expression on the faces of the robo-billionaires you bump off, and the little flashes of lasers and other cool weapons you come across.
The game moves at a beautiful pace, though, be warned, there are flashing lights, so if you’re epileptic, you may want to leave this one be.
As for the audio, the soundtrack is upbeat and filled with trippy techno tunes, along with solid voicework, particularly from that squeaky (but helpful) lady. The sound effects are great as well, especially when you grind a robo-billionaire into a worthless pile of metal.
Let’s Talk About the Xbox Version
The Xhox edition of Mullet Madjack recently arrived, giving console owners a taste of this madness. And we recommend doing so, because what a taste it is.
Like the PC version, Madjack runs like a dream on Xbox. In fact, the game feels right at home on an Xbox controller, complete with utmost functionality. You’ll have no problem wasting dudes while running through levels. And what’s more, the graphics are just as colorful and frenetic as the previous version, right down to the neat little effects.
So, yeah, you’ll want to add this to your playlist. And if you’re curious, you can always give it a try on Game Pass. Wouldn’t surprise me if it became an instant favorite.
What About Mullet MadJack On Nintendo Switch?
Speaking of console versions, we should also talk about the Nintendo Switch edition, which arrives today. We’ve been playing this for the last couple of weeks on our Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s safe to say that this game still cooks.
The performance is off the charts on the Switch 2, with a very smooth frame rate and every bit of the game’s frantic action recaptured for on-the-go play. If you prefer, you can also enjoy at home in all its big-screen glory. And the gameplay is just as frantic as enjoyable as its counterparts. Plus it’s a mere $20, not bad considering what you get in the package.
So, yes, the Switch version comes recommended. Do keep in mind we tested Mullet MadJack on the Nintendo Switch 2, so the original Switch performance may vary. But if you’ve got a souped up machine, jump right in to this madness.
MadJack Rules
I should remind you that Mullet MadJack can be a handful for the uninitiated, and probably won’t win over some with its flashy presentation. That said, however, it’s a blast to play. The pure creativity from the gameplay can’t be denied; and the poppy visuals really bring everything to life. Plus, who doesn’t love bumping off evil, rich robots?
It could use a console release in the future. But, for now, Mullet MadJack is entertaining on the Steam front, and that’s a huge step. We can’t wait to see what devious next steps HAMMER95 takes into this universe. (Hopefully it’ll involve more mullets.)
GAMERHUB RATING: 4.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to JF Games Press team for the review code!
