Jumping Jupingo

Even someone with arachnophobia will enjoy Jumping Jupingo; a slick platform game with just the right dose of strategic thinking and action thrown into the mix. A baby spider rescue mission with a difference. Does it offer enough entertainment for the price tag?

Playing as furry spider Jupingo, one's mission is to guide our fearless (and rather cute) friend through the wilderness to rescue baby arachnids from the clutches of a race of evil alien invaders called the Clopters. Armed with just a set of strong springy legs and elastic silk thread, players must guide the jumping spider across the wilderness and aid the little ones back to safety.

One interesting element is how every time players start a new game it’s possible to follow a different strategy. These can include collecting two berries at the beginning, rescuing all the baby spiders without spinning more than X number of webs, or attempting to complete the whole level without getting hurt. Each setting has a variety of dangers which, if jumped into, will cause the loss of a life each time. Luckily, among the Clopters and the poisonous plants there are a variety of different bugs which, upon catching them, earn players the benefits of extra lives, more spinning power, or greater jumping energy.

The controls are simple to get the hang of, and dragging a finger across the touchscreen spins a web which is then used to propel the spider across the level; similar to that of a platform game. The difference is in the ability to change the angle and strength of the jump, which, although tricky to get a handle on sometimes, makes for a much more interesting spin on the usual mechanics. However, one issue I came across was the poorly-positioned pause menu that I repeatedly kept dragging out across the screen. This was only slightly frustrating, mind, but enough to feel that it was getting in the way when I was trying to get Jupingo to jump or was in the process of crafting a web.

Each of the thirty levels are beautifully presented; the picturesque environments brought to life by realistic chirps, buzzing and whistling insects, and the rattling sounds of poisonous plants creating an eerie atmosphere. Each level is split into three separate backdrop environments, and although similar in nature (forest, swamps and caves), they manage to keep things interesting with a completely different layout and feel.

No question about it, Jumping Jupingo is addictive and packs a ton of replay value. With thirty breathtaking environments to play through, players will have endless fun working out the most successful way to release and rescue baby spiders. It's is an easily accessible and mind-stimulating little gem, and is without a doubt an experience worth diving into for those who love a challenge and want a game to come back to time and time again.