Review: Willy Jetman: Astromonkey´s Revenge (PlayStation 4)

by Jim Smale · February 14, 2020

Willy Jetman: Astromonkey’s Revenge is an arcade shooter full to the brim with action and shooting, inspired by the console classics of the 90s. In the orbit of the planet Gravos there has been a terrible accident that has caused an environmental disaster, filling the planet with space garbage. Willy is a street sweeper whose mission will be to collect the garbage and take it to the recycling centers while facing countless enemies, but he will soon find out that his destiny is preparing more surprises than he could have imagined.

Pros:

Retro pixel graphics.
687.9mb download size.
Platinum trophy.
3 save slots.
3 screen filters-Pixel/Bilinear/Trilinear.
Platformer gameplay.
Solar Jetman vibes.
Save points in game-have a save spot and a shop.
Loadout- 2 guns.
Enemies drop coins/health/ammo/EXP.
Level up to increase stats.
Guns are always free and earned in-game, you pay for ammo.
Death-you loses everything.
Combo counter.
Map uncovers as you play.
Nes game feeling.
Difficult.
Actions-Jump, shoot, jetpack and 2nd weapon.
Levels in the game have set mods like enemies do more damage or you do less damage.
Pick up trash and put in the recycle bin to clear the level and progress.
Nostalgic.
Can farm cash/EXP and materials.
Buy gun upgrades from the shop.

Cons:

Slow progress.
Can farm and get overpowered.
Annoying level design especially in the dungeons.
Little variation.
No replay value.
Can easily skip parts.
Difficult.
The slight learning curve with the jump and jetpack controls.

WillyJetman_20191210113847

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
8/10

Sound - 8/10
7/10

Accessibility - 7/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
8/10

Fun Factor - 8/10

7.6/10

Summary

Coming in as a huge Solar Jetman fan, I was immediately surprised by how this game looked, felt and played. Using a jump and a jetpack you are in essence an intergalactic garbage man who collects waste and deposits it in the designated bins. Outside of your Captain Planet inspired heroics you fight aliens, go du geon crawling and collect new guns to kill said aliens faster. It all cumulates into an experience that is full of nostalgia and fun but most important discovery and power for you can play how you want and just take it all in, maybe do some farming of gear to level up or just fire straight through. I had an absolute blast for many hours until the game got a bit stale, once you’ve seen one dungeon you have seen them all, the aliens don’t change much and it all became a grind to the point I had to give up. It saddened me as I really did love the opening few hours, it went at a slow pace but I liked it, it fit in with the style. Maybe I could go back after an extended break but at the moment I’m happy leaving it with mostly good memories.