It is a game that mixes very well stealth and puzzle elements to create a smart, casual and very enjoyable experience.
Dynamite Jack is built over this simple premise: you must escape the mines.
It has no cutscenes, all you need to know is shown in a few screens in the beginning.
Game mechanics fit very well with the top down view, controls are intuitive and work nicely with controller or keyboard.
Every active game element is shown every time you mouse over or approach them.
How do you evolve in the game?
Evade alien guards flashlight and line of sight, avoid the lasers, pitfalls and pools of light and collect the needed key cards to have access to new areas in each level and reach the gateway to the next.
In the meanwhile you can blow almost everything up with your unlimited bombs (that you can place and detonate one at a time).
Bringing up the map quickly reveals your position, guards position and provide a very good view of any other objectives still to be completed in the level.
To reinforce the atmosphere it is completed by an excellent sound design and soundtrack
Every level becomes slightly difficulty than the previous one and additionally has three challenges that you can complete, they range from kill every guard in the level to do not die.
This is yet another example of a well implemented game element that adds both to the challenge and "replayability"
The game also comes with a level editor that allows users to create their own levels and make it available to others to enjoy.
If something negative can be told about Dynamite Jack is that the AI is not as smart as you would like.
It is not rare that you will walk right beside a guard and not worry about it as long as you are not in their line of sight.
That's not a deal breaker as all elements are very well placed and used but it does take some of the fun from the whole experience.
Usually games called casual are not very well regarded but I believe this is a very good example of how a casual games should be.
Eliminate all the unnecessary elements to the gameplay and focus on the game elements and key mechanics.
This is a game that mixes very well stealth and puzzle elements to create a smart, casual and very enjoyable experience.