Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. The A.V. Club
    Jul 17, 2011
    100
    It just does its style of controlled chaos really well.
  2. 1UP
    Jun 20, 2011
    100
    Even if you're lousy at shmups -- a category I definitely fall into -- Jamestown is very approachable, allowing you to slowly hone your skills before you tackle some of the trickier stages. And as Final Form Games' debut title, Jamestown can't be called anything but a fully realized labor of love.
  3. Gamer Limit
    Jun 13, 2011
    95
    Overall, even without online play, Jamestown is a great title that's worthy of any shmup fan's time. The mechanics are solid, the presentation is great, and the price is right – I can't wait to see what Final Form does next.
  5. PC Gamer
    Aug 11, 2011
    90
    Jamestown harkens back to an era when we played games just to get a high score--when beating a game this challenging actually earned you bragging rights. [Oct 2011, p.77]
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  6. IGN
    Jun 29, 2011
    85
    The level of polish found in the graphics and gameplay alike is outstanding for an indie title. Peculiar ideas and inventive mechanics make this quirky bullet-hell shooter a frenzied, fun affair.
  7. Games.cz
    Nov 7, 2011
    80
    Jamestown is an old school hardcore arcade shooter. By its visual approach, its music and its gaming philosophy, it creates an imaginary comeback of the golden age of video arcade games. Its background set in the 17th steampunked century is only strengthening the overall enjoyment drawing young gamers on a peep show at those olden times of video gaming.
  8. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Aug 29, 2011
    80
    An example of perfect indie shoot'em up – Jamestown brings a combination of excellent stylish visuals and splendid playability. Only pity is that the game lacks an online multiplay option. [Issue#207]
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  9. Thunderbolt
    Aug 10, 2011
    80
    A fun Shmup that remembers to keep things simple. The appeal here is in the core action – never becoming confused with any half-baked mechanics or over-used ideas.
  10. CD-Action
    Aug 2, 2011
    80
    Its action is more intense than Charlie Sheen's weekend – and this is Jamestown's biggest strength. If words 'Contra' and 'Metal Slug' send shivers down your spine – buy it! [August 2011, p.64]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Eurogamer
    Jul 15, 2011
    80
    Jamestown certainly isn't the biggest shooter you'll ever see, but given the amount of replayability built into the structure, you'll play it far more than you might imagine.
  12. Everyeye.it
    Jul 7, 2011
    80
    Jamestown is that old classic shooter that you want to play today remembering your young coin-op escapades.
  13. Destructoid
    Jul 6, 2011
    80
    The beauty of Final Form's debut is how many play styles it complements. Playing solo with the Beam ship, solo with the Gunner, or co-op with three friends makes for three completely different experiences with its own set of challenges.
  14. Giant Bomb
    Jul 2, 2011
    80
    Its wild premise is surprisingly well-realized, and its shooting is top-notch. Put simply, it is a game that stacks up as well, if not better than many of the classics it's so clearly inspired by.
  15. GameSpot
    Jun 28, 2011
    80
    Stylish art and a gradual difficulty curve make Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony a treat for shoot-'em-up fans of all skill levels.
  16. GamePro
    Jun 23, 2011
    80
    But Jamestown doesn't get bogged down in its devotion to the classics of the genre, nor does it try to attract a certain crowd with its art style (yes, I'm talking about Deathsmiles and its ilk). It instead focuses on giving you as many ways to grit your teeth as possible, and doing so with a solid shooting base. It's easy to fuss about the missed potential of playing the game online (a genuine problem), but what you get here is plenty. It's also a decent excuse to get that group together, provided your friends are as crazy as you are.
  17. Gamekult
    Jun 21, 2011
    80
    Quotation forthcoming.
  18. PC Gamer UK
    Aug 2, 2011
    78
    It's jaunty, silly, and extremely fun. Best played with a good friend, and a good joypad. It's just a little bit too short.
  19. PC PowerPlay
    Aug 8, 2011
    70
    A loving celebration of bullet-hell, which relishes its intricate perfection without the distraction of a whole game's worth of content. [Sept 2011, p.63]
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  20. games(TM)
    Jul 23, 2011
    70
    It is the limited content that is Jamestown's biggest letdown. [Issue#111, p.110]
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  21. Da Gameboyz
    Jul 18, 2011
    70
    In short, Jamestown is a fun old school game that, for the price, shows excellent play time, replay value, and variety.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best PC Game of 2011
98
#98 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 137 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 137
  2. Mixed: 40 out of 137
  3. Negative: 14 out of 137
  1. sh4dow
    Aug 17, 2011
    10
    It seems to me while a lot of people here enjoy the game, they still often lack the insight of having played shmups for years. Because asIt seems to me while a lot of people here enjoy the game, they still often lack the insight of having played shmups for years. Because as somebody who has played dozens of them extensively, I can tell you that Jamestown is not only great but a damn steal!
    In harsh contrast to almost any shmup out there, Jamestown offers numerous bonus features at a price that is also well below almost any shmup out there.
    So lacking online multiplayer or not, considering the huge amount of content (while also not looking amateurish) one gets for that ridiculous price, it deserves no less than a perfect rating!
    And for uneducated gamers who complain about it only having a couple of levels: take a look at games like DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou that were released as full price games for consoles or newer arcade PCBs that cost multiple hundreds of dollars!! If you're not into the genre in general and don't see a point in score hunting on the same couple of levels over and over again, that's fine - but don't act like this is expensive when nothing could be farther from the truth.    … Full Review »
  2. attilab
    Aug 6, 2011
    2
    What a waist of $10, you get a little more then 5 levels and 4 players types where 3 out of the 4 completely suck. the controls suck, theWhat a waist of $10, you get a little more then 5 levels and 4 players types where 3 out of the 4 completely suck. the controls suck, the graphics are... well its pixelated. the story is complete gibberish.… Full Review »
  3. Tridus
    Jul 25, 2011
    6
    It's pretty fun while it lasts, but it's REALLY short and unless you're good enough to unlock all the levels you'll get stuck without evenIt's pretty fun while it lasts, but it's REALLY short and unless you're good enough to unlock all the levels you'll get stuck without even being able to finish the (already really short) campaign. The scaling difficulty requirement to unlock the rest of the campaign was a mistake IMO.… Full Review »
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