Junk Jack

 iOS
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Games Master UK
    Jan 17, 2013
    87
    A game you'll return to again and again. [Feb 2013, p.93]
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  2. Slide to Play
    May 30, 2012
    100
    Junk Jack is is a hard game to get into, but once you do you might not want to stop. Addicting isn't appropriate enough to describe this game. This game consumes time.
  3. Everyeye.it
    Dec 28, 2011
    60
    Junk Jack is the most near example of Terraria porting with Minecraft crafting system. But its major flaw it's the fact that it does run on a 3,5'' screen, which make you feel disoriented and limited. It's a pity, because its crafting system is great and it could guarantee a long life to itself.
  5. Tap!
    Dec 12, 2011
    60
    Movement is done through swiping in your intended direction – it's nicely simple, but imprecise. Sometimes there are small monster-like creatures, which come out to play at night.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Dec 10, 2011
    80
    Junk Jack's clearly lack of direction can be a great flaw for some kind of players, but Pixbits' debut game is probably the best crafting game on iOS. Way better than Minecraft: Pocket Edition.
  7. AppSafari
    Nov 17, 2011
    90
    This iPhone app is definitely worth checking out if you're interested in building your own world in the way that you want and defending it.
  8. Pocket Gamer UK
    Nov 17, 2011
    70
    Junk Jack owes a significant debt to Minecraft but has a personality of its own. A worthy companion to the real thing.
  9. AppSmile
    Nov 15, 2011
    80
    Less of a game and more of an adventure in existence, Junk Jack offers a rich environment to farm and craft to your heart's content.
  10. 148Apps
    Nov 10, 2011
    90
    Suffice it to say, Junk Jack is a hands-down, no questions asked must-own for any and all iOS users who love sandbox crafting games.
  11. AppSpy
    Nov 10, 2011
    100
    Junk Jack isn't Minecraft, nor does it feel like it needs to be as its 2D world provides the same level of novel exploration fun while presenting challenges of its own to overcome; a tightly balanced free form experience that's only going to get better with time.
  12. TouchArcade
    Nov 10, 2011
    90
    If you can adapt to the controls, you're left with a game of great potential.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Best iOS Game of 2011
42
#42 Most Discussed iOS Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. Dwight_Shrute
    Jan 16, 2012
    9
    This is a very interesting title, even if it borrows a lot of elements from the acclaimed indie hit Minecraft. Junk Jack even takes the moreThis is a very interesting title, even if it borrows a lot of elements from the acclaimed indie hit Minecraft. Junk Jack even takes the more retro and pixel look as Minecraft, and yet the game has a feel of its own. For starters, the game plays and feels like a mobile title on a touch device should. Controlling Junk Jack is easy and responsive, allowing for complete freedom to explore the expanse world. One gripe that I have, however, is with most of the hostile mobs. They all have the same mobility, just jumping to and fro; it would be nice to see some diversity in enemies in future updates.… Full Review »
  2. biatchstan
    Apr 30, 2012
    10
    Easily the best game on the app store. It has awesome controls, graphics, sound etc. There are hundreds of different items to craft and manyEasily the best game on the app store. It has awesome controls, graphics, sound etc. There are hundreds of different items to craft and many different mobs and biomes. The developer constantly puts out great updates. The only thing missing is multiplayer.… Full Review »
  3. Oxcart
    Apr 21, 2013
    8
    The market is flooded with Minecraft clones and knockoffs, most of which not worth the battery power needed to show them on screen. Junk JackThe market is flooded with Minecraft clones and knockoffs, most of which not worth the battery power needed to show them on screen. Junk Jack is surprisingly and refreshingly different, even if it doesn't quite have the accessibility of the original Minecraft. Let's look at it. First off, JJ is an example of fine old 8-bit pixel art. The game world is very reminiscent of the graphical style of the original NES or Sega Genesis (actually, quite Sonic the Hedgehog in its own way). The game concept really is Minecraft clone, but with a considerably greater number of resources to gather and items to craft. This leads to its biggest problem: with so many craftable items relying on the same parts, early-game construction is frequently stalled because you don't have the ability to efficiently gather the resources to make those parts or find the parts themselves. Of course, once you've amassed enough supplies, that changes rapidly, allowing you to take advantage of the massive menu of craftable items (about ten times the number in Minecraft standard, forget Minecraft Mobile). Of course, some would argue that having so many built-in bits of furniture discourages the extreme use of creativity in making furniture like in Minecraft (did you know that you can make an entertainment center in Minecraft? You can.), but it's important to remember that this is a different game. It's similar, not a total clone. And, in that way, it does an admirable job. Really, one of the two points knocked off happened because of poor early-game balancing; in hostile-creature mode, survival is difficult for days as you cannot make a proper shelter quickly, and even if not, acquisition of resources in the early game feels unnecessarily grindy. The second point came off because you need to collect recipes for crafting...or buy them through IAP. Since the game already costs $3, that's a little galling. Ultimately, if you're looking for an enjoyable builder, Junk Jack is a good one. It's just not a free one.… Full Review »
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