Joe Blade

Joe Blade is a classic arcade-style action game in which the titular hero has apparently decided that one man is sufficient to deal with an entire collection of dangerous criminals. The gameplay revolves around moving through environments, avoiding hazards, fighting enemies, and rescuing people who are having a considerably worse day than you are. The graphics are simple, but the colorful presentation gives the game plenty of personality. Timing and observation are important, particularly when navigating areas filled with traps and enemies. Joe Blade comes from a period when developers could build an entire action adventure around a handful of straightforward mechanics and still make the result surprisingly engaging. It is not complicated, but that is part of its charm. The game gets on with the business of being an action hero without demanding a lengthy tutorial, a complicated inventory, or twelve different character statistics.