The original Microsoft Xbox isn´t known for jump´n run games. This is unjustified, because Blinx: The Time Sweeper is a good game for all ages. Next to the real funny gameplay and plot, the graphics and style are just heavenly. And this game has many unique ideas like time-control. Even though it is quite difficult and some missions are repetitive, this game is worth a play.

This is a ”historically” fascinating game. Naoto Ohshima directing a game that feels so Sega in terms of style and music but actually is a Microsoft game. And I didn’t remember that! I though it was an American game and I spent half an hour thinking they had aped the Sega vibes incredibly well. Then I checked. There’s the use of a hard drive that is included in the console and allows to develop the time based gameplay to a level that Sands of Time couldn't afford to aim for. There’s that bizarre middle ground nature, still too much tied to the hardcore arcade philosophy of game design. There’s a clunky camera, made worse by the mandatory invert look. But still, it’s full of brilliant ideas and the level design is often quite good. I cursed a lot and I gotta admit I watched the ending on YouTube so I could limit the raging outbursts, but I’m happy I finally played it.