Pumpkin Jack is a video game developed by Nicolas Meyssonnier and published by Headup Games. It was released for Windows, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One in 2020 and PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2021. It combines elements of action-adventure games, 3D platform games, and hack and slash gameplay.
Gameplay
Players control a spirit revived as a pumpkin-headed man on Halloween. Together with his two companions, an owl and a crow, players guide Pumpkin Jack through various puzzles and 3D platforms to defeat humanity. Jack can engage in melee combat using various weapons, including a shovel, scythe, and magic sword.
Development
Nicolas Meyssonnier made Pumpkin Jack mostly by himself. Adrien Lucas helped port the game to consoles, and Yohan Jager composed the music. Headup Games released the game for Windows, Xbox One, and Switch on October 23, 2020; PlayStation 4 on February 24, 2021; and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/s on October 27, 2021.
Reception
On Metacritic, Pumpkin Jack received positive reviews on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and it received mixed reviews on Windows and Nintendo Switch. Hardcore Gamer praised the variety of gameplay styles and said that it is fun despite some rough edges. Commenting on its retro PlayStation 2-style gameplay, Push Square wrote that it is a "game that knows exactly what it wants to be, and delivers with confidence". Nintendo Life called it "an absolute triumph" and compared it positively to MediEvil. Though they criticized the combat, NintendoWorldReport found it "surprisingly charming" and praised the platform elements.