7.5

Review: DavyXJones

Davy x Jones is a surreal first-person action adventure game in which you as the legendary pirate Davy Jones travel through a bizarre pirate-next-world. With a mix of humour, style, fast action and a striking creative approach, the game has a strong first impression, despite being still in Early Access.

Davy x Jones immediately sets the tone with his unique starting point: You play like the notorious pirate betrayed by his own crew and killed by Blackbeard. You return like a headless body, accompanied by your talking skull that constantly makes sarcastic comments. This dynamic is the core of the game's charm. The world is surreal, colourful and full of strange beings and locations that perfectly match the theme of a pirate underworld. The style is strikingly polished for an Early Accessâ€

The gameplay combines fast first-person action with light platforming and puzzles. The battles are energetic and visually attractive, although some depth is lacking. The humor and writing are one of the strong points: the interaction between Jones and his head provide a constant stream of tongue†hindered dialogues that give the game its own identity. The world is atmospheric and creatively designed, with a lot of attention to detail and a strong artistic vision.

However, there are also clear disadvantages. Because the game is still in Early Access, it lacks content and sometimes feels short or unfinished. Some systems are not yet fully developed and the balance in sound and combat can be variable. In addition, it is still unclear how comprehensive the final roadmap will be filled in, so players looking for a full experience might better wait.

However, what is a major step forward is the recent Kraken Hunt's update, a comprehensive expansion that significantly changes and expands the game. This update finally introduces the long-promised second half of the gameplay fantasy: Driving Abby, a giant living airship that is half whale, half war machine. Where players used to only experience ground battles like Jones, Kraken Hunt adds a completely new layer in which you as Davy (the head) perform strategic air missions. This roguelite “Sky Hunts” bring variation, progression and a new rhythm to the gameplay, with officers you can recruit and upgrades that make your ship stronger.

In addition, the combat on the ground has been completely rebuilt. The developers have redesigned the speed, impact and flow of the battles, making sword attacks feel heavier, moving faster and the grappling hook becomes more central. There are also multiple balance passes on enemies, encounters and world structure, including improvements to forts, fauna and the pacing of island crossings.

This update makes the game more complete and brings it closer to the original vision of a dual-perspective pirate adventure. It fills an important gap in gameplay and gives players a reason to return or stay longer. Although it is still Early Access, thanks to Kraken Hunt, Davy x Jones feels less like a concept and more like a game that starts to embrace its own identity.