DAVY x JONES was a pleasant surprise; an action-adventure-platformer with a heavy emphasis on style and surrealism, this piratey journey through the sailor’s afterlife is sure to be, if nothing else, memorable. With a surprising amount of polish in the game’s Early Access state, the few issues I had with DAVY x JONES hardly take away from the overall experience, and players who get in on the game now are in for a stable and exciting, albeit unfinished, experience.
DAVY x JONES follows the tale of the titular pirate after the betrayal of his crew leaves him dead at the hands of the fearsome Edward Teach, known better by his ominous pirate name, Blackbeard. Awakening in the Locker, the afterlife for pirates and sailors alike, Davy Jones finds himself split in two: the wise-cracking head, Davy, and Jones, the animated and headless body that will serve as the instrument of revenge for the now split personality.
There are a few words that I feel convey the essence of everything DAVY x JONES is: surrealism, attitude, and adrenaline.
Surrealism is the best way to describe the under-the-sea, comic-booky hell that the game takes place in. Everything from Davy, your floating, one-eyed, tentacle-wielding skull, to the aimlessly swimming, gold-filled soul fish that inhabit the environment carries a feeling of strangeness that defies logic in the name of style. The game’s use of color is nothing short of genius, combining blacks, greens, and blues to make a washed-out, gothic, watery setting, with splashes of gold cleverly used to guide players in a way that feels natural for the otherwise unnatural environment. Every aspect of the game’s visuals oozes with creativity. While DAVY x JONES borrows names from history and familiar pirate fiction, “familiar” it is anything but, presenting an incredibly unique take on the themes and settings presented.
Attitude is deeply infused in how the game handles its storytelling and gameplay. Outside of the game’s striking visuals, DAVY x JONES tells its rather brutal and tragic story with a sense of reckless renegadism that reminds me of the unapologetically badass and edgy titles of the 2010s era. The game approaches itself with an attitude I can only properly describe as “fuck it, we ball,” while cranking its metal soundtrack to 11. This is not a melancholy tragedy, as Davy and Jones are more concerned about revenge than they are their own death.
That attitude bleeds into the writing as well. Dialogue is often sharp and laced with sarcasm, giving the characters, particularly Davy, an exaggerated bravado that fits the stylized world. It doesn’t shy away from being a little over the top, and that exaggerated energy is exactly what keeps the narrative engaging rather than dour.
With attitude, inevitably, comes adrenaline, as long as you’re doing things right. The game’s combat is fast-paced, brutal, and challenging, rewarding quick reflexes and aggressive “combos.” By that, I don’t mean a calculated input of a string of buttons to pull off a coordinated attack, but rather a near-senseless execution of “throwing everything against the wall” with a series of powerful tools the game gives you. That is not to say that there is no subtlety or strategy in the game, but rather it gives you freedom to approach each enemy as you see fit.
Certain gates in combat, namely block stances on certain enemies, can be dealt with in a few different ways, and you’re otherwise unleashed for loosely coordinated, wanton violence. Your arsenal contains both melee and ranged attacks, special abilities, and a good sense of mobility executed through grappling, which can be done on both enemies and terrain.
That being said, there is a heaviness to attacks, specifically melee attacks, that can make them feel slightly delayed. I eventually adjusted to this feeling, so I don’t think it really affects combat all that much, but it can make executing charged attacks feel a bit odd, where you aren’t sure if you’re actually holding the attack down or not at certain times. If there was one part of the combat I would really complain about, it would be blocking and parrying. I don’t think enemies give a very clear indicator that they’re attacking, and you can go down rather fast against groups of enemies or even the occasional solo who hits a bit too quickly for you to keep up with.
DAVY x JONES succeeds in making every battle feel like a test of aggression, and when you do come out on top, the satisfaction is immaculate.
DAVY x JONES might not be a game that will appeal to everyone, but it’s one with so many different things in it to appreciate that it’s simply hard not to… well, appreciate. The fast-paced combat, fun writing, and incredibly stylistic and creative setting are all charming in their own ways. Even when certain mechanics feel unrefined, the energy and ambition of the game outweigh those blemishes.
Unfortunately, players who buy into the game’s Early Access run aren’t getting the full experience. Where there is lots to enjoy in the current version, it is not yet totally finished, which is something that can be expected from an Early Access title. However, at the time of writing, you’ll be able to pick up the game for an astounding $6.66 for the first six days, six hours, and six minutes of release. This so-called “devilish deal” is certainly generous for what the game has to offer, and I encourage players to give the game a try if even remotely interested.
Pros
- Unique and surreal presentation
- Fast-paced, chaotic combat that encourages aggression
- Bold sense of style and attitude, with a killer soundtrack
- Fun and witty writing that gives personality to characters
Cons
- Parrying and blocking lack clarity
- Early Access means an unfinished story and potential to-be-found balance or performance issues
TryHardGuides was provided a Steam code for this PC Early Access Review of DAVYxJONES. Find more detailed looks at popular and upcoming titles on our Game Reviews page!
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