"Classic puzzle game."

Jetpack is a classic puzzle game for the home computer that was quite popular back in its day. People from around the world were attracted to the game's simple concept and addictive gameplay. Some schools even allowed the game to be put on their computers because the built-in editor mode was 'educational'. Just recently, Jetpack was released as freeware by the game's producer, Adam Pederson, after having been sold for many years prior. Now that it's free, everyone should check out the greatness that is Jetpack.

Jetpack places you in the role of an 'adventurer' looking for emerald gems, which can be found in each of the game's 100 or so levels. Several of the gems require the use of a jetpack and/or a phase shifter, both of which you are equipped with from the start. With the simple press of the ALT key, the adventurer will fly through the air with his jetpack. Holding down the ALT key allows him to stay in the air longer. The phase shifter is used to tunnel through bricks found in each level, sometimes required to finish the level. This function is performed by pressing the CTRL key. The game's controls are easy to learn, which is good because the game itself can get very difficult at times.

Playing through all 100+ of Jetpack's levels will take some time, that's for sure. The main reason for that is the game's high level of difficulty. The levels start off easy enough with little use of the jetpack and phase shifter required. Soon after the first few levels, things get tough - very tough. The levels will usually no longer be completed on the first try after the 'newbie' stages - the next ones will require some clever strategy on how to go about picking up all of the gems without getting killed.

Getting killed is a common feature, thanks to the 'one hit and you're dead' idea. There are several enemies scattered throughout each level. Some of the more common adversaries are robots that like to follow you around, and little springs that travel vertically from one area to the next, slaughtering whatever may be in its path. One mistimed jump or forgetting to release the ALT key when needed can, and probably will, result in death. Thankfully, the game does give you plenty of chances to continue but that still doesn't make the levels any easier to complete. Patience is no doubt very helpful while playing Jetpack.

Each of the stages in Jetpack are full of features that will aid you on your quest to retrieve all of the emeralds. The player can pick up special items such as more fuel for the jetpack (you can run out very easily if you are not careful) and a stunner that will temporarily paralyze the monsters in their place. Other objects of concern are teleports that transport you from one area to another, and ladders that are very useful if you run out of fuel. Also, sometimes bricks and other platforms will be covered with something such as ice (makes you slide all over the place) and sludge (slows you down). These little additions are all over the well-designed levels.

Perhaps the best part of Jetpack is the built-in level editor. With it, you can design and create your own game levels complete with any contraptions you want the levels to have. You are basically given a black background with a legend of every item used in the game at the bottom of the screen. Any of the items can be used to build your own dream level and, best of all, levels can be traded over the internet. There are dozens of sites out there dedicated to Jetpack in which you can download new levels. Thanks to the neat little addition of a level editor, Jetpack's replay value is increased a great deal.

Visually, Jetpack does not stand the test of time very well. The main character himself is very tiny and pixellated. In fact, everything is tiny in the game - so small that the entire level fits onto the screen. That means no side-scrolling, which is definitely a good thing in this case. The levels are creatively designed, but they can't hide the fact that Jetpack is not a very good looking game. As for the audio, the game consists of 'bleep and bloop' sound effects with no music at all. The sound effects are usual 'old MS-DOS' style sounds, with everything making sense (it wouldn't make sense to put the killing sound in for when you are flying the jetpack, now would it?). In a word - primitive.

Jetpack is a perfect example in which gameplay triumphs over audio and visuals. The game packs a lot of challenge in its innocent looking form and it has quite a bit of replay value too, thanks to the level editor. Since Jetpack is freeware now, I whole-heartedly recommend downloading it. Head on over to www.adeptsoftware.com and give it a try.

Best Feature: Level editor.
Worst Feature: Very dated.

Final Analysis:
Graphics 3/10 - small and pixellated
Sound 2/10 - nothing but primitive sound effects
Gameplay 8/10 - challenging and fun puzzler
Control 8/10 - responsive and easy to learn
Replay Value 8/10 - level editor adds replayability
Challenge 10/10 - finishing the 100+ levels without cheating is incredibly difficult
Overall 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/27/01, Updated 11/27/01