In our latest review, Nathan from Indie Game HQ takes a look at Jones on Fire by Glass Bottom Games.
Jones on Fire is a slide and jump auto-runner platformer combo starring Emma Jones, a fearless firefighter, that leaves no kitties behind. Jump, slide, and run from a blazing inferno saving as many kitties as possible along the way. Featuring 10 levels, an upgrade system, and leaderboards to compete against your friends.
Game Info
GAME NAME: Jones on Fire
DEVELOPER(S): Glass Bottom Games
PUBLISHER(S): Glass Bottom Games
PLATFORM(S): Mobile
GENRE(S): Auto-Run/Platformer
RELEASE DATE(S): March 7th, 2012
We would like to thank Glass Bottom Games for giving us the opportunity to review their latest title. For more, please check out Jones on Fire’s website.
About
Jones on Fire – a high-speed action game of kitty saving and flame evading, running and jumping, where YOU are the hero!
Become Emma Jones, firefighter extraordinaire, tough cookie and kitten lover. Beat 10 levels of dangerous mountain terrain, improving Jones’ skills with every fluffy life saved. Dominate your friends on the kitty-saving leaderboards, and gain the adoration of millions of cats!
Save the kitties! You’re their only hope!
Features
- Kitties. Also, a butt-kickin’ Firefighter lady.
- Fast, frenetic side-scrolling fun.
- Completely free to play.
- Intuitive controls.
- Juicy, kinectic platforming physics.
- Fun in short bursts, but addictive enough for longer plays.
- Upgrade Jones with increasingly spiffy fire-fighting skills.
- Compete with your friends on kitty-saving leaderboards.
- Blocky, retro visuals with just a touch of the modern.
- Rockin’ tunes.
Gameplay
Jones on Fire is a combination of an auto-runner with platformer-esque styling. Playing as Emma Jones, a fearless firefighter, you must escape the blaze saving as many kitties as possible.
With simple controls, Jones on Fire is something anyone could pick up and play. A tap on the left side of the screen will make Emma jump, while a tap on the right side will cause her to slide. Using these two controls, you’ll jump over walls of fire and burning logs, slide under obstacles, and collect kitties.
While the gameplay can get somewhat repetitive, you have to keep in mind that you are doing the right thing and you must continue to save as many kitties as possible. There are only 10 levels, so to keep it interesting there are many upgrades available to the player. From upping Emma’s health, charge, and jump abilities to even adding various item pick-ups to levels, such as catnip and first-aid kits. To purchase said upgrade and abilities you’ll need either K (Kitties) or GK (Golden Kitties), which you’ll find while playing through the game. You also have the option to buy GK and even convert said currency into K. The amounts of K and GK needed for the upgrades may seem high at first, but as you progress the hazard level multiplier will raise and the amount of kitties you save will grow exponentially.
In Jones on Fire, you start with 3 lives and 2 health bars. If you are hit by fire or miss a jump/slide, you’ll lose one of those bars. After losing both bars, Emma will be sent back to the beginning of the level and your number of lives will drop. If by chance, or lack of screen tapping ability, you happen to lose all 3 lives, you are given the option to either start from the beginning or pay GK to continue. In other words, try to collect as many golden kitties as possible because you will need them.
Graphics
Jones on Fire has a certain voxel look that mixes the bright and colorful and the fiery and somewhat dark to create a very nice aesthetic.
The effects in Jones on Fire are quite nice as well. While blocky, the particles are an added touch. The kitties emit bright squares, the golden kitties emit, well, golden squares and the fire spews out oranges, reds, and yellows like a blocky blaze.
Audio
The music in Jones on Fire is, in my opinion, reminiscent of the older Pokemon games I played growing up. It’s very relaxing and adds to the experience, making it more enjoyable.
The only issue I have in this category is the somewhat repetitive cat noise. Every time you pick up a kitty in-game, it plays a meow. Understandable, as the kitties are probably very ecstatic that they are being saved, but it can get annoying sometimes. Luckily, Jones on Fire has built-in volume sliders for music and sound effects.
Down to the Nitty Gritty
With hours of fun, the option to upgrade Emma Jones’ kitty saving abilities, and great background music, Jones on Fire is definitely worth the download. At the great price point of free, you’ve really got nothing to lose.
The kitty meows and level design may get repetitive at times, but not enough to where you won’t enjoy playing this great game from Glass Bottom Games.
Jones on Fire | Glass Bottom Games | iTunes | Facebook | Twitter
