Boom Blox Bash Party Review
Written By Wrecker
In the middle of last year a physics based puzzle game by the name of Boom Blox was released on the Wii to much critical acclaim, and to date has sold close to a million copies. Built specifically for the Wii’s motion control sensors and born out of a collaboration between two of the biggest names in the business - Electronic Arts and Academy Award winning film director Stephen Spielberg - its original and innovative gameplay and thought provoking puzzles won many a gamer's heart and mind. However the creators did not rest on their laurels and work on a sequel began immediately after it's release. Thus a year later we now have a copy of the finished product in our hands, titled Boom Blox Bash Party.
For those unfamiliar with the Boom Blox gameplay, the basic premise of the game is, through the wii remote, one has to throw a projectile at or grab blocks from a stack of blocks to accomplish a predetermined goal, such as knocking over points blocks or destroying the stack in a certain amount of goes. Sounds like kids play I hear you say. Think again. Not only do you have to factor in the direction, strength, angle and depth of your attempt, but also how 'reactive' blocks and their domino effect, some very realistic physics and even enemies affect play. So put on your thinking caps and prepare for some, well, let’s say, calculated destruction.
Boom Blox Bash Party contains three main game modes - Solo, Versus and Co-op. The main menu is presented as the overview of a theme park, which is straightforward and easy to use. As with most games you can partake in the training mode or move onto the game itself, which is divided into five major themed levels (Show Time - a circus/cirque du soleil setting, Pirate, Space, Heroic and Solo/Explore – a mixture of the above). Each of these differing environments has its own unique features such as zero gravity in Space and underwater levels in Pirate.
Some new level types have been introduced into this title including Colour Combos, where blocks must be eliminated by colouring three adjoining blocks (think of a cross between Tetris & Bejeweled), Gem Toss Up, where you are situated at the foot of the ocean and have to fling gems up to the surface, and Space Golf, a cross between air hockey and mini golf. These new designs are both worthy and welcome additions which require a decent amount of pre-planning to successfully complete. For example during Colour Combo levels you have to consider when’s the best time to colour certain blocks, how many attempts and what order your coloured projectiles are in and where certain shaped blocks will end up if dislodged.
Along with these fresh and inventive new levels comes the availability of new weapons, some of which are used in conjunction with new blocks (see below). They include the Slingshot, Cannon, Virus Ball and Paint Ball. The Slingshot and Cannon essentially have the same effect as throwing the standard ball, just with a bit more pizzazz. The Slingshot is useful for slinging say a chemical block onto another, and the Cannon requires you to quickly set it alight, aim with the remote and fire. Throwing a Virus Ball onto Virus Blox activates a ‘virus’ which quickly spreads to nearby blocks thus creating more Virus Blox to hit, and eventually huge explosive chain reactions. And the Paint Ball is utilized in Colour Combos levels, but is somewhat limited as you have no say over what colour you use as it is pre-determined.
The new breed of blocks, or blox, in Boom Blox Bash Party includes the already mentioned Virus Blox, Push Blox – if an object lands on one it gets launched in a particular direction, Change Blox - which cycles through various boxes until hit (so timing is crucial here), and Conveyor Blox - which works as a conveyor belt. Most of the blocks and weapons from the first game are retained and additionally there are a few new block shapes, just to keep you on your toes.
Shooting levels are less prevalent in this version but they still add some variety. One such level requires you to knock down gems before UFOs get to them. You can even shoot down the UFOs themselves. Another level sees you having to carefully remove point blocks from the ends of an unsteady beam (like a see-saw) whilst maintaining the balance of three sheep characters on it, all atop a skyscraper (a great multiplayer level). Some levels in Show Time require you to knock or sling blocks into point scoring areas and are reminiscent of the 'special events' in the game
FlatOut. So there is plenty of diversity in level design, and these are just a small example of some of them.
Each individual level can only be unlocked and accessed if the previous level has been completed. Along with a points score and the amount of attempts the level took to complete, (these determine which medal you'll receive), players are now rewarded with ‘boom bux’. These bux, which are also hidden within some levels, allows the player to purchase/unlock a level that is just too tough for them to complete. Although preferable to play your way through the game ‘normally’, this feature does offer an easy way out, which otherwise might see you give up on the game due to an unpassable level. The boom bux system as a whole is another well implemented addition.
Multiplayer was a major focus of the developers and hence there is twice as much multiplay than the original. Versus mode allows four players to take each other on in virtually all the levels in Solo. If however there are only two or three human controlled players the other player slot/s will be taken by computer controlled players. It would have been nice to have the option of excluding these computer controlled players. At least the time between player switching is a bit quicker in this version. Co-op mode sees two players working together to conquer the levels. This can at times be rather chaotic, in a good sense, as one player’s move can ruin another’s plan. The ship levels in Pirate are good examples of this, with one player allocated a Cannon and the other a Baseball Bat, both frantically trying to knock gems of an opposing enemies ship with no time at all to co-ordinate a plan, as the enemy pirates won’t allow it immediately firing upon you.
As with the previous version the controls in Boom Blox Bash Party are easy to use and fairly straightforward. Take the Slingshot for example. It’s just a matter of placing the cursor over the item you want to sling, holding down the button, pulling the remote back and then releasing the button. Easy enough for anyone to play. There are no issues with camera movement either as you pan around the level to plan your angle of attack or suss out any hidden nasties. The developers state they had some of the foremost physics experts in the world working on this game, and one cannot really argue with this, with the extremely realistic nature of objects' speed, movements, reactions to collisions and explosions in the game being spot on. The controls are also more responsive and precise than in Boom Blox and as a result you have more confidence in them.
Although the in-game characters maintain their blocky appearance, there are at least a few new ones to try out. These characters are no longer just in the background however, as this time they appear on and around the blocks and have the same properties as the blox themselves, and therefore can be treated as such. So yes, you can fling them around the level and they will get knocked from pillar to post by the blocks. A nice effect occurs when the characters come flying towards the screen after being catapulted into the air. Using the Slingshot to launch them or blasting them away with the Cannons is also particularly amusing.
There is a serious side to them though, as occasionally they can be utilized to help you complete levels by acting as a 'neutral' block. You can also check out your achievements and current tally of boom bux via your in-game character. The achievements are specific tasks fulfilled during play, such as earning a set amount of points or obtaining five gold medals in a row (much like the random type achievements from Call Of Duty). These extra challenges just adds to the depth of the gameplay. The in-game characters do liven up the levels, but do they have any real effect on play? Not really, but they sure are fun to smash.
As with its predecessor
Boom Blox Bash Party lets you create your own levels, either from scratch or a blueprint. The excellent tool kit included is in fact the same as the one the developers used to design the games levels. You also have the option of purchasing any unlocked pieces with your boom bux. Sharing your creations with friends has never been easier with no friends' codes required. You can also download official levels from EA, (including some from
Boom Blox), for free.
The initial look of the interface and characters in Boom Blox Bash Party seem very familiar to its prequel. However on further inspection the graphics are slightly more sophisticated overall. Not that it’s of too great an importance here, as the gameplay holds this game together anyway, but it does give the game a seemingly more polished edge. Even the on-screen instructions have had a touch up. Between levels there are some cartoon cut scenes which, as good as they are, tend to feel a little out of place.
The game contains some very colourful environments, and at times can cause some slight confusion especially when under pressure, but this will ease as you familiarise yourself with all there is to learn. Evidently there are some more creative and detailed level designs such as the pirate ship levels where characters don pirate hats and brandish swords, to the underwater levels where a giant squid appears regularly in the background, and to the lofty heights at the top of skyscrapers.
The sounds of the blocks colliding, reacting and exploding are all well done. The in-game characters each have their very own sound effects which are accentuated when thrown around. They also react to what’s happening on-screen and cheer if your moves are successful. The music is much the same as the previous Boom Blox game with a sideshow/circus style track which sits comfortably in the background. Co-op mode contains a shared tune across Wii remotes which is both innovative and amusing.
With somewhere between 400 to 450 levels available in this game, there is surely more than enough to keep you occupied. There are also ‘bonus’ levels of each set of levels, which are more of the same albeit on a grander and harder scale. As you progress through the game various characters and level design pieces will be unlocked. With various ‘side tasks’ to complete, the game offers a great deal of value. And the difficulty is set at the ‘just right’ level, where it encourages anyone to play yet rewards those who endeavor to master it.
The Final Verdict
Boom Blox Bash Party is definitely an improvement over its predecessor. Rather than making drastic changes to the game the creators have expanded on what was already in place. Having ironed out some of the small complaints from the first game and with new environments, level types, weapons, blocks, characters and some clever physics, it does feels fresh rather than stale. With an overall improvement on attention to detail, more extensive levels and multiplayer play, a great level creator and no-fuss sharing capabilities, Boom Blox Bash Party is just the type of game which the Wii was made for.
Gameplay
8.5/10
Fun, addictive and clever puzzler that anyone can play. Spot-on difficulty and more refined controls. Almost every aspect of the game is bigger and better.
Graphics
8.5/10
Slicker presentation and sharper graphics than the original. Very realistic physics. More interesting environments and level designs.
Sound
7.5/10
Pretty decent if unassuming soundtrack and sound effects. In-game characters cutesy murmuring may annoy.
Value
8.5/10
Tons of levels and a great multiplayer component. Side challenges to complete. Top level designer included and an easy to use online sharing experience (with free downloadable levels). Great party game. About the only thing missing is online multiplayer.
Overall
8.3/10