Boom Blox
Boom Blox | |
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multiplayer |
Boom Blox is a 2008
The game presents a series of physics-based puzzles, the objective being either to keep structures made of blocks from being knocked down or to knock them over by various means, using the Wii Remote to throw, shoot, and grab at the blocks. Boom Blox features a realistic physics system; the angle at which a projectile is launched and how fast it is thrown as well as the mass of the projectile and the type of blocks it comes into contact with influence the results of an action.[8][9]
The game has over 300 single-player levels as well as over 100 cooperative and competitive multiplayer levels.[10][11] Additionally, there is a mode that allows players to create their own levels and share them with people added to their Friend Code list via WiiConnect24.[12] A sequel, Boom Blox Bash Party, was released in 2009.
Gameplay
Boom Blox has been described as
There are different kinds of blocks in the game such as gem blocks, blocks with point values attached, explosive blocks that detonate on contact, vanishing blocks that disappear when struck, wood blocks, and steel blocks.[9] Just as the type of blocks with which the player must contend changes as the player progresses, so do the tactics for completing the level. The player might have to avoid letting blocks with negative point values attached fall while destroying blocks with positive point values attached. In another level, the player might have to set off a series of explosions and domino reactions that target a structure's weak point or ricochet shots off multiple structures in order to destroy the blocks, all with a limited number of projectiles.[15] Different types of blocks possess different physical properties; their mass and the amount of friction they exert alter the way they will respond to contact.[12]
Adventure and Explore modes
The Adventure and Explore modes are the single-player portion of Boom Blox, constituting over 300 levels.[10][11] More advanced levels challenge the player with time limits or a limited number of projectiles with which to complete the levels.[17] Each level also challenges the player to get a gold medal, though achieving a bronze medal is all that is required to reach the next level.[14]
Adventure mode is story-based and offers character-driven scenarios that involve defending forts or the various domino-shaped characters from enemy attacks and guiding these characters by clearing the path in front of them as they walk.[11][16] Explore mode presents puzzle-based objectives that focus on different groups of skills,[11] allowing the player to discover the basic mechanics of the game.
There are four basic "worlds" through which the player must progress. The first, Gem Kingdom, which takes place in medieval times, involves the player aiding a group of sheep dressed like knights to gather gems, and then protect said gems from invaders. The second level, Gorilda Rescue, takes place in an island jungle and involves the player helping a gorilla named Gert save her children from a tribe of hostile natives called the "Tiki". The third, Boots 'n' Bandits, is set in the Old West, and involves a beaver named Boots mining for gold with the help of the player, only to have it stolen by desperadoes; he then takes the gold back and protects the citizens of the nearby mining town from the bandits. The fourth and final world, Haunted Night, takes place on Halloween and tells the story of a family of kittens trying to get to a mansion at the end of a road; the player must defend them from enemies such as skeletons, grim reapers, and monkeys dressed as devils.[16][18]
Party mode
In addition to single player, there are also over 100 cooperative and competitive multiplayer levels available in Party mode that can be played by up to four people on one screen, by taking turns, and on a
Create mode
Create mode is a built-in
Development
In 2005, it was announced that
Initially, the game was to support headtracking, the repositioning of the virtual in-game camera in relation to player's position in the room. The feature, which was to require two Wii Remotes and an LED headset, was to be included as an Easter egg.[21] However, on April 15, 2008, EA announced that the headtracking feature had been cut from the game.[22]
During development, the focus was on creating a video game specifically for Wii, but senior producer Amir Rahimi has indicated that Boom Blox may be ported to other consoles in the future.[8]
Reception
This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2015) |
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
X-Play | 5/5 |
Boom Blox received many positive reviews with aggregate scores of 85/100 from Metacritic and 87% from GameRankings.[23][24] N-Europe gave the game a 9/10 score, praising its "amazing replay value" and its "ingenious puzzles".[26] Electronic Gaming Monthly out of three scores gave it an A+, an A, and an A−, stating it as "immensely accessible, wonderfully tactile, and stands as one of the best uses of 3D space."
Awards
It was awarded Best Wii Game of the Year by
Sales
Boom Blox sold 60,000 copies during its first month of availability in the United States, according to the
References
- ^ "IGN: Boom Blox". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ East, Tom (2008-02-06). "Boom Blox - First Screens Of Spielberg/EA Collaboration". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ "Nintendo Japan Official Wii Page". Nintendo. 2008-06-25. Archived from the original on 2021-08-21. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ "Spielberg's Boom Blox Bash Party videogame comes out May 19". Archived from the original on 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
- ^ Mundy, John (2009-01-05). "Boom Blox". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 2024-03-09. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "EA Mobile Strengthens Commitment to Nokia N-Gage with New Global Games Line-up". IGN. 29 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2024-03-09. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ Crecente, Brian (2007-07-10). "EA Confirms Spielberg Games". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2008-04-01. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ a b c Yin-Poole, Wesley (2008-05-02). "Boom Blox Interview". Videogamer.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ a b Gibson, Ellie (2008-05-12). "Boom Blox Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2008-12-09. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ a b c d e Thomas, Aaron (2008-05-07). "Boom Blox Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g Theobald, Phil (2008-05-13). "Boom Blox Review". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ a b c d Chick, Tom (2008-05-06). "Spielberg's explosive puzzle game knows what boys like". Yahoo! Games. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ Kolan, Patrick (2007-07-11). "E3 2007: 'Blocks' Eyes-on". IGN. Archived from the original on 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ a b c d Jongewaard, Dana (2008-05-06). "Boom Blox (Wii): Steven Spielberg can make movies, but can he make games?". GameTap. Archived from the original on 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b c d Casamassina, Matt (2008-05-06). "Boom Blox Review: Play it with friends and you won't want to put your Wii remote down". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ 1UP.com. Archived from the originalon 2016-06-11. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ Wired. Archivedfrom the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ X-Play. Archived from the originalon 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ Bishop, Stuart (2007-07-13). "E3: Spielberg's Wii game Blocks revealed". CVG. Archived from the original on 2007-07-16. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ Tom Chick (2008-12-08). "A Close Encounter with Steven Spielberg". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
- ^ Miller, Ross (2008-02-21). "GDC08: Boom Blox to include head tracking. Seriously". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ Stern, Zack (2008-04-15). "Head-tracking feature pulled from Boom Blox". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ^ a b "Boom Blox Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
- ^ a b "Boom Blox". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Stephen Woodward (2008-05-27). "Boom Blox Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^ Lopes, João (2008-05-10). "Wii Review: Boom Blox". N-Europe. Archived from the original on 2008-06-14. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
- SpikeTV.com. Archived from the originalon 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ "IGN Wii: Best Family Game 2008". IGN.com. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on 2008-12-22. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Boom Blox". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ "Archive - 9th Annual Game Developes Choice Awards". Game Developers Choice Awards. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ "IGN Wii: Best Puzzle Game 2008". IGN.com. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on 2008-12-22. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "IGN Wii: Best Local Multiplayer Game 2008". IGN.com. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on 2008-12-22. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "IGN Wii: Best Use of the Wii-Mote 2008". IGN.com. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on 2008-12-22. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "IGN Wii: Most Innovative Design 2008". IGN.com. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on 2008-12-22. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ Brightman, James (2008-06-13). "Wii Third-Party Struggles Highlighted by May NPD". GameDaily. Archived from the original on 2008-06-17. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ Brightman, James (2008-06-17). "EA Satisfied with Initial Boom Blox Sales". GameDaily. Archived from the original on 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ^ "EA reveals 40 games in development for Wii and DS". 30 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2008.