Each level is split up into several categories. The first is the actual map, and there are boundaries that you cannot blow up. Second are the blocks, which prevent you from just walking through the level, but you can blow these pieces up. There are enemies that must be destroyed, but if you touch you will lose a life. Your job is to defeat all the enemies on a level, and find where the exit is by blowing away the blocks to reveal it. Along the wave of destruction you will have the opportunity to pick up power-ups. Each of the power-ups has different abilities, and affects how the game is played. After you complete nine levels, you can go after the world's boss, which leads to some inventive battles. Once they are defeated you have sanitized the world of the awkward gas. There are also bonus levels after the fifth level, allowing you to add more points to your score.
You start off the game with one bomb, which can blow up its own square, and one square around it. Some of the power-ups add additional bombs, a larger explosive range, or even allow you to move around the map quicker. These will be the main power-ups of the game, and like most power-ups will leave your character if you die. Other power-ups allow for you to walk through bombs, not be damaged by flame, remote detonation of bombs, the ability to kick bombs across the map, and a host of others. These power-ups will last a specific duration of time, or possibly till the end of the level. This is one of the main changes of the game, as previously you would have retained the abilities until you died, which is a little annoying.
Another change to the item system is that when you collect the power-ups, they are not activated automatically. They are added to your inventory and you can rotate through them by using the shoulder buttons. Once you find the power-up that you want, you can then activate them by pressing the square button. If you do not read the instructions before playing the game, which was exactly what I did, then you will end up ignorant to this, which is why I mention it here. This extra inventory system is a welcomed addition, and it allows you to choose when you want to use any specific power-up, as not all are helpful. The menu is a little clunky to use mid-battle, but you can activate the power-ups between maps to be prepared.
Something that I absolutely love is that you can share the game with up to four players from a single disk. The only problem you may have is finding three other people that have put money into buying a PSP. Other than that you connect wirelessly to those around you, where you quickly and easily set up battles. The system is set up fairly quickly, and only ends if the host quits. When playing multiplayer against multiple enemies, three or more, after a character is eliminated from the round, they will be able to float around the outer rim of the map and throw bombs into the ring. This is a welcomed addition, as you can get revenge on the person whom eliminated you. Finally when a person is eliminated, their power-ups are spread around the map so that anyone can reap the benefits of their death.
The only problem that I have with the game is originally the character moves around fairly slowly. A minor issue I had with the game is that you generally move less than a full square, which can leave you hanging out from a block to be blown up if you do not take the time to line it up properly. Other than that they have done a great job with the game. You can also unlock the original game to play, which is another great thing. Finally there are over a hundred levels to play through, so there are a lot of levels. The only weakness the game may have is that it gets a little repetitive, but it is still a very fun game.
In the end this is another great experience from the Bomberman series. The game flows well, and it retains all of the series addicting nature. The multiplayer options are fantastic, and I am glad to see them on the PSP. The only real issue I had was the style of the power-ups, but other than that the game is as good as it could be. Other than that menu, there is nothing innovative about the game, but it provides a solid experience. If you are a fan of the previous Bomberman games, you will enjoy this game too. If you have not played Bomberman before, well now is a great time. All and all, Captain Gordon gives this a B+.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? CaptainGordonEdward@Gmail.com
LOGIN
REGISTER
RSS
HOME
