Even after fifteen years, this game is still an enjoyable classic.
Jill of the Jungle is comprised of fifteen levels, most of which can be accessed from the map and some within other levels. The goal of each level is to make it to the exit, using the weapons and upgrades they give to you. Along the way, you face real-life creatures such as frogs, crabs and crocodiles, and fire bird. Jill can use any of two weapons, a throwing knife and a spinning blade, when she picks them up to attack the creatures. She can hold up to three weapons and several upgrades and other items at once. In some levels, by touching a symbol of a fire bird, frog or fish, Jill can change into that animal. Although there is no time limit for each form, Jill can return to her human form by touching the floating word "Jill" or by being killed. There are three items that are common and essential to continue in the game: keys, gems and apples. The keys unlock various doors both within levels and on the map. The gems serve a similar purpose, with each gem unlocking a gem gate. The apples fill Jill's health bar, a necessity if you want to survive. Jill has an infinite number of lives, however, you begin at the start of the level you die in with everything back in their original places.
The graphic quality for this game was very good for its time. The map and each level are highly detailed, using lots of colour, and complete with highlights and shadows to create depth. The background music, although similar in sound, are unique for each level, ranging in tune from simple and easy-going to more complex and sinister. The sound effects are clear and effective, although they are somewhat abrupt and don't always fit the event they are placed on.
When it comes to controls, one would find they are somewhat edgy. Jill has delayed movements, which can cause problems when avoiding enemies and jumping over gaps. Fortunately, these delays are minor and although they can take a bit of adjusting, they don't take away much from the game overall. Despite the number of levels this game contains, the game itself is actually quite short. The learning curve isn't steep, so it can take under forty-five minutes to breeze through the game without obtaining hidden extras or exploring. Even if you explore around to find all the extras, it doesn't usually take longer than an hour. That being said, this game is fairly addictive and will leave you coming back for more, despite how simple and repetitive the game play is.
Overall, Jill of the Jungle is a great classic 2D action platformer that can keep your interest for hours just exploring the simple yet graphically high environments again and again. I highly recommend you download this game and give it a try. It proves to be a great distraction from some of the eyesores in modern gaming.