Drugs, Magic, Guns and Anubis in Jackal

A maze of hotel rooms opens up, and all I have are sunglasses and my fists. I slide into a door, slam a thug to the floor, grab his bat and throw it at another enemy, then execute both in a few seconds. Later I walk past the carnage to see my partner in crime, Anubis—the Egyptian god of death—in a purple suit weighing the souls of the dead.

Jackal, out now on Steam, is a top-down indie shooter that leans on Hotline Miami’s one-hit, fast-paced action but renders it in stylized 3D with psychedelic art, Egyptian magic, lots of guns, and Max Payne–like noir voiceovers from the game’s coked-up hero. Anubis is stoic and quick to criticize, yet he grants spells you can use in levels: stop time, blind enemies, or boost your speed.

Each spell can be used only once per mission, so choosing when to activate one becomes part of the deadly puzzle. Combat emphasizes fast, decisive kills and seamless reloads. You can kick foes down, snatch guns midair, toss knives, bats, swords or guns to stun, then finish enemies with quick executions.