Since this game is still a work in progress, this won't be as much a complete review as just my thoughts on what there is at this point and some feedback on what could be improved or added to the game.

STORY:
While the game is a tie-in to the Dog and Spider book series, it doesn't really require you to be familiar with the books to understand the game's plot. Dahlia is sucked into some kind of spooky portal, with Jessica's husband Nick going after her. Jessica, of course, won't accept losing both of them and decides to go through the portal to find them.

I have been informed by the developer that the opening cinematic will be fully voiced later on. It will definitely help with getting the story and characters across better for those unfamiliar with the books.

What I like about the story is how dead simple it is. For a retro platformer it's pretty much all you need anyway as the games that inspired JUHA never really focused all that much on the story. It's an excuse for Jessica to be thrust into the video game world.

GAME PLAY:
The controls are very easy to grasp, especially if you are playing with a game pad. For keyboard controls, the game uses the WASD keys and the arrow keys, with Return pausing the game. There are some mechanics that can be a bit tricky to figure out, but the game has unlimited continues so it never becomes an issue.

I think the collision detection could use some improvement though. It feels a bit "loose" for the lack of a better term, with some platforms not allowing you to jump through them in some spots but in other spots you can.

The shooting also feels really stiff, as you can only shoot while standing still. It's a mechanic you can get used to, of course, but compared to other platformers it doesn't feel as smooth. The game is definitely more centered around melee combat using the baton, though I wish you had more options to attack while jumping as well as there are a lot of moments in the game where you feel completely vulnerable.

The enemy respawns feel on point for what the game takes inspiration from. It also helps you to farm some supplies before facing the boss, for instance, so you can take advantage of it.

There's not really much beyond the first level and boss in this early demo, though you can clearly see what's being planned for the game further on, with a hub level that should open up the game considerably. I am looking forward to seeing how the game plays once we get access to these new levels.

As for Linux compatibility, the game runs perfectly fine using Proton 8 under Linux Mint, and I assume that means it will run without issue on SteamOS/Steam Deck as well.

GRAPHICS:
The game has some gorgeous background art and tile sets, and Jessica herself is animated fairly well. It doesn't really push any boundaries in terms of artistic expression, but I don't think that's the intent either. It's an homage to old school 8 bit games, particularly Castlevania, and has a really good atmosphere for that. While not feeling as authentic as something like Shovel Knight or MURI, there is definitely a lot here to enjoy for fans of retro games.

SOUND:
Since I did provide some of the music in this game (the first boss music for instance), I won't really comment much on the music lol. I think the game has a very suitable 8bit soundtrack and the tracks I didn't make are really good. Hopefully you will enjoy my contributions as you play.

The sound effects aren't particularly great or bad, but they get the job done. They at least fit with the 8bit theme and doesn't sound out of place in the soundscape.

SUMMARY:
The Early Access demo provides a small taste of what's to come, and what's here isn't going to blow you away or anything. But for fans of the books and people who enjoy a good old ghoul-fighting 8 bit adventure, it provides for a decent time-killer.

(subject to change)

I can tell a lot of time and dedication was put into this game! With technology continuously advancing all the big companies are trying to pump out the most realistic game possible. It's nice to go back to the old school days and live out the nostalgic dreams our childhood selves had. This did just that. Give it a try for yourself!

im ready eyes ahead whoah