Joshua & the Battle of Jericho Reviews

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Looking back over the game, I think that we've found a Wisdom Tree title worth owning at long last. The brilliant gameplay core and mechanics are enough to brush aside the lackluster visuals and sound as inconsequential, and the streamlined layout means that a puzzle fix is always only a few seconds away. Only puzzle fans need apply, though. If you're the type who plays shmups for relaxation then you'll only find slow, agonizing frustration. But for those of us searching for some brainteasers to break up the long hours of shell fests and aliens, then Joshua provides a time of relief. Maddening, controller-breaking, habit-forming relief.

This game is largely the same type of experience as its predecessor, with some improvements, such as new power-ups, and some omissions, such as music during levels. It’s worth playing if you enjoyed Exodus, or simply if you enjoy puzzles.

Wisdom Tree’s re-interpretation of biblical stories is either pseudo-artistic gold or downright sacrilegious, depending on one’s point-of-view.

Controlling Joshua is simple and straightforward, though he doesn't really have much to do besides run around and toot his horn at things. There are minimal sound effects and no music unless a special item is active. But I have to give them extra credit for including actual (though very fuzzy) voice samples of "Good job Joshua!" and "Be courageous Joshua!" The bare-bones graphics seem purely utilitarian. You're shown only what you need to know about, and destroying all the objects in a room leaves you with a simple black background. After reaching some of the more advanced levels it becomes clear that the only way to figure out the puzzles is to play them over and over and over. And that's exactly what you'll do as traps and cheap deaths claim Joshua again and again. Inescapable predicaments will happen like indestructible boulders pinning you in a corner because you weren't fast enough or didn't go the right way. But you can always hit start + select to martyr yourself in suicide.