A Bombastic Blend of Platforming and Collection?
Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go East wasn’t quite what I was expecting. The main reason for this is the fact that it’s published by Eastasiasoft, meaning you can pretty much bank on what you are going to get. But in many ways it’s a very odd game, yet strangely compelling at the same time.
A Familiar Formula, A Strange Mix
Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go East is indeed another platformer from Eastasiasoft but with a collect ‘em all element featuring front and centre. This comes in the form of bombs that you need to grab which effectively diffuses them, therefore saving the many wonders of the world where they have been placed outside in the process. By whom or for what reason we do not know.
Bombing Around the Globe
It’s a good job then that the caped crusader can bust a few moves to help collect all the bombs against the clock. Jumping and then jumping again means Super Jagger can temporarily float and move horizontally for a limited time. Our hero can also boost jump or fall fast to break through cracked platforms. When moving it feels like Super Jagger has a jetpack attached, but instead it’s that rather fetching cape doing the work (probably).
As you master the art of zipping around each stage, enemies will spawn in and pursue you, sometimes even firing at you. Unfortunately, as soon as you make contact with one, you’re dead. These pests can be immediately vanquished by collecting certain power-ups, giving you a breather, or eliminated by the bombs themselves if they explode. Coins that they drop and others which tantalisingly bounce round each level will also offer the opportunity to bag extra points.
Control Chaos and Frustrating Fails
I had a few issues with the controls as I struggled to act with the accuracy I needed, especially in the later, more challenging stages. On a few occasions Super Jagger floated rather than jumped, or sometimes never jumped at all which cost me a life as the game seemed to be confused about what I was telling it to do.
In some locations Super Jagger was super slippy to control, which made things more difficult than normal as directing the superhero was already a challenge thanks to how floaty and sensitive the control scheme is. Often I’d miss a bomb by overshooting, heading straight into an enemy or deadly hazard.
A Mix of Modes and Missions
That said, I did have some fun with Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go East when it all clicked together. Sadly, this in itself was hit and miss so I never really hit a proper flow whilst playing. Thankfully, reaching certain levels means a new “run” can be started from these checkpoints rather than the very beginning.
In between each level, one of five modifiers will be chosen at random that include different types of bombs, a reduced time limit and the chance to earn an extra life. From time to time you will gain the ability to select which one to tackle in your next level.
The 100 or so levels in Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go East are split up by bonus stages that offer you the opportunity to earn score multipliers. These brief detours have our hero freefalling and attempting to catch bombs in the process. Naturally these stages get more challenging as you build your multipliers, with you needing to collect all the bombs to bag the bonus. There are leaderboards to climb for those score chasers too.
Bonus Bombs and Flight License Fun
Another element of this game which feels odd (at least conceptually) is the opportunity to earn your “Flight License”. This set of nine levels doubles up as a tutorial, showing you the ropes and aiming to help you whizz about each stage gathering bombs in record time. If completed to a high enough standard, you’ll also unlock an additional character for your troubles who rather handily comes armed with a couple of continues.
Visually Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go East offers up a 2.5D graphical style set across a handful of famous landmarks from the eastern side of the globe. Its simple looks aren’t particularly flattering to the eye, rudimentary to say the least, but I must say that the soundtrack is very appealing and a decent listen.
A Bombastic but Inconsistent Platforming Experience
What helps is that Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go East is structured in a way which makes it more appealing to jump back in for another try. It works similar to a survival mode, with the opportunity of earning an extra life to extend your playthrough rolling round semi regularly, whilst at the same time trying to bag as many points as possible. At times it was utterly frustrating, but not enough to make me put down my controller and walk away completely.
Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go East may not seamlessly gel together, but collecting bombs is a blast, for a time at least.
Important Links
Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go East! – Explosive Platforming Action Lands on Consoles and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/super-jagger-bomb-2-go-east-explosive-platforming-action-lands-on-consoles-and-pc/
Buy Super Jagger Bomb 2 on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/super-jagger-bomb-2-go-east/9NPHF671V7XF
