Demolition Delight or Explosive Disappointment?
There must be something in us that likes games where buildings or structures collapse and implode.
I remember playing Red Faction way back when, having a blast destroying everything around me, watching tall buildings crumbling away. Then there are games like the iconic Angry Birds which see you catapulting living bombs against structures, hoping for a domino effect as you take out your foes sitting on them.
Blow it up is hugely influenced by that game, and if you ask me, I’m surprised we haven’t had too many clones of it arrive on Xbox. But is the one that is here any good?
Blow it up is a physics destruction game that wouldn’t look out of place on a mobile, favouring quick-level gameplay you could play on the commute.
Boomtopia and Bomb Variety
In terms of story… well, there isn’t one, at least not in terms of cutscenes, character development, words or voice work. But according to the game description provided by the devs, you live in Boomtopia, a place that has been invaded by aliens, on the verge of being stripped of its natural resources. You play one of seven bombs who are going to take back their country by doing what they do best… explosions.
Blow it up comes in two parts. The first is a little 3D map which you move your bomb character around; like a board game where you collect coins, finding them hiding behind bushes or in secret places. You also get them by playing the second part of the game, requiring a certain amount of coins to get through gates in this world or to unlock new bombs to play with.
The second part of the game is the meat and gravy of Blow it up – the Angry Birds comparison. But don’t take that as a bad thing.
On a 2D screen, you have a structure with enemies in it, guarding your friends on the top right of the screen. Your job is to destroy all the enemies on the screen who are hanging out on those structures. You do this by firing your bomb across the screen, looking for the right angle, hoping to hit the sweet spot in order to knock all the structures down and kill all the aliens. When you have done this it’s the end of the level, you get a coin and a rating.
As you progress through the game, different bombers come to the fore, ready to be used. I don’t want to spoil them all, but expect to find one that can fly in the air, on an angle, all before dive bombing straight down. Another freezes mid-air, brings out a machine gun and fires at everything, all before blowing up again while moving.
Having these variations in your bombing team really brings the game to life, ensuring you can use various different tactics over the 70 or so levels needed to complete the main campaign.
Voxel Visuals and Minimal Sound
Blow it up utilises voxel-style graphics, which work well for the destruction sequences, and the collapsing of structures. I like the little 3D world as well, full of pretty colours and tight designs. Mostly though, this is a game that is all about the destruction mechanics and the visuals do a good job working alongside that.
The sound is minimal though, with just a nice floaty soundtrack to go with the gameplay. When you complete a level there is a fun little fanfare that blasts out, but honestly, it isn’t long before it starts to outstay its welcome.
A Quick and Fun Destruction Game – But with Limited Depth
With a cheap price, Blow it up has enough about it to remind of the joys of Angry Birds. The destruction mechanics are good, as is trying to work out exactly where the sweet spot sits, all so you can go blowing things up with aplomb. The variety in the number of bombers is appreciated too, ensuring the opportunity to run some fun attacks and plays.
Come to Blow it up knowing that it’s a quick game, with no hidden depths, and you should walk away happy.
Your Links
Boom Goes the Dynamite! Blow It Up Explodes onto Xbox, PlayStation, and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/boom-goes-the-dynamite-blow-it-up-explodes-onto-xbox-playstation-and-pc/
Buy Blow it up on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/Blow-it-up/9PHB5G6JTZBR
