Boom Blox Bash Party Review

Written by: Steve Martin Posted: 9th June 2009

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We bash some blox on the Wii.

Boom Blox Bash Party Details:

	Puzzle
	Nintendo Wii
	EA
	EA

Out Now

1-2

Boom Blox: Bash Party proudly states on the front of the box that it is the “high-energy action-puzzle game for everyone”! I have to whole-heartily agree with this statement, the Nintendo Wii thrives on simplistic ideas being executed to the highest standard, and Boom Blox: Bash Party is another fine example.

The premise of the game is undeniably simplistic but this is where its brilliance also lies. Every level shows you a structure of blocks and an objective such as knocking it down in as few throws as possible, this requires you to aim with the Wii remote and flick to sling the object the level has given you towards the structure on screen. You maybe given a heavy bowling ball or a lightweight baseball or even a bomb, another variation sees you able to “slingshot” any block on screen into the others to topple the structure, in a twist on the original premise. Trying to find the sweet spot that will cause the whole thing to collapse in a single shot isn’t always easy and achieving it gave me a huge sense of fulfilment. The same basic principle is used continuously throughout the game, but the tools you are given and your task changes. For example there are “Jenga-style” levels where you have to pull blocks out of the structure carefully to earn points and avoid the minus points blocks which will deduct points if they hit the ground. Another level sees you grabbing shiny Gem blocks underwater and throwing them up to the surface. Same principles, same tools, but totally different strategy, it is that beautifully simple. Throw in some special blocks, Bomb Blox, self explanatory I hope, Chemical Blox, explode when two come into contact, and Vanish Blox’s that disappear when hit, as well as some others all add to the puzzle part of this game, as you weigh up which course of action is best and pick your shots. A quick tutorial at the beginning of the game allows you to quickly get to grips with the amazingly simplistic but accurate and flawless control system and the types of Blox’s in the game, and the best way to use them. The levels are themed in typically clichéd ways, there’s a Pirate level with underwater puzzles and cannon fights and a Space level where its zero gravity, which means you have to change the way you think again!

All good so far! It gets better! One of the best features is the ability to edit existing levels however you want, download new levels online or even create your own! You have the power to create whatever you want, or just use other peoples creations! The creation mode is still simple to use, with another short but excellent tutorial to help you. You are given all the freedom you’ll ever need to create whatever you fancy, and choose how the level is played.

Add in some excellent co-op or competitive multiplayer modes, which are playable using one or many remotes, and it sounds like it’s the complete package. The only drawback I have noted is the difficulty, I found it far too easy most of the time, but maybe I’m a little older than the target audience. It does mean that you could finish the main game fairly quickly. Saying that though, I still enjoyed this game and found it quite therapeutic, a few more challenging levels would have made this a perfect game! Although, the difficulty just depends on how ruthless you want to be because you can create more challenging levels yourself if you so wish!

The graphics are solid, bright and typical of the Wii, not flashy but functional and watching the blocks fly as you smash them apart is good to watch. A particular mention should be given to the characters that tend to run around the level. They are based on animals but are blocks as well with arms and legs, they are quite funny to watch and definitely have some character in them! The sound is pretty average with standard background music for you to ignore. The sounds of the blocks smashing, flying, exploding and so on, is all perfect.

This is the perfect game for those people who built stuff out of Lego just so that they could break it into pieces afterwards! The scope for customisation and enjoyment from this game is endless and is truly playable by anyone thanks to its amazingly simple controls and realistic physics! This is another example of a brilliantly simple game that can appeal to everyone, with plenty of variety and is smashing good fun to play!