Electronic Super Joy (PC) review "Sexy Frustration."

Electronic Super Joy is the sexiest, most infuriating game I have ever played. The humor is sharp and the music is awesome, and while there are many platformers that are "challenging," Electronic Super Joy feels more like Super Meat Boy on LSD. Infinite checkpoints (complete with sexy moans and oh yeahs) make sure you're never too far off course, and the gameplay is tight and constantly changing. The final boss in particular is a nerve-wrecking experience in that I personally both loved and despised, for it took me far too many tries to finish even though I knew what I had to do.

This game is not for the faint of heart, and there were plenty of areas that made me stop and take breaks after many frustrating failures. At the same time, the game is not strictly a barebones platformer. Many mechanics are implemented throughout such as changing gravity and a constantly changing move set, but there are plenty of moments where ESJ becomes more like a bullet hell shooter, keeping the freshness around even after I felt I'd seen it all.

It feels unfair to compare this Meat Boy, for the platforming has a very different feel than many games of the genre, nor is it nearly as precise, even though it demands it. This often led me to most of my frustrations as I found it harder and harder to play out what I was supposed to do. The controls can be extremely touchy, even with a gamepad. There were plenty of moments where my palms were sweating less out of nerves than frustration, but these sections are not common and did not ruin my enjoyment.

Plenty of modes are offered as well, including an endless runner that I enjoyed a bit more than I should have. There are also four bonus levels that you can unlock once you find all the collectable stars, but they pose a challenge that far exceeded my abilities, as I only managed to complete one of them. I got half way through the second before being driven insane by some of the obstacles, and the other two I tried a few times before calling it quits. Completionists will enjoy the increased challenge, but for me the fun quickly waned.

All in all, Electronic Super Joy is a fantastic but flawed game that far surpasses most games that come out of the indie scenes. Strikingly unique but with a familiar feel, this game will leave you with a lasting impression and a sense of accomplishment time and time again.

Community review by Razorbitz (July 18, 2016) Lover of Vinesauce, purveyor of Sterling, and worshipper of the Pipo. Plays games a lot, and writes stupid and excessively long user reviews to give myself the illusion of influence and importance.