De Blob 2 Review

Game Title : De Blob 2

Platform : PS3/Xbox360/Wii

Developer : Syfy Kids

Publisher : THQ

 

This is the follow up to the 2008 game De Blob which appeared on the Wii. The game is a standard 3D plat-former for the most part, with a number of 2D segments thrown in to add some versatility. You play De Blob, a colourful prankster who loves nothing more than splashing vivid colours all across the stale grey buildings in the city life. Once the Blob starts moving he rolls into a ball, you then need to jump into paint pools located around the city, soak up the paint and then journey around the city painting buildings, solving puzzles and fighting enemies.

To the story mode, the world has been invaded by Comrade Black who runs the INKT Corporation, they are removing all the colour from the world. What used to be a bright happy world has now turned into a bleak and dreary place devoid of colour and life. The citizens no longer laugh and dance but shuffle around in a daze. Removing the colour from the world has removed the citizen’s inspiration and as such they no longer think for themselves.

This is where you come along, as De Blob it are tasked with battling Comrade Black’s minions and to repaint the city, releasing the citizen from there hypnotic state. Beside you is your sidekick Pinky a flying robot (not too dissimilar from Wall-E’s friend Eve). The two friends along with some underground resistance fighters will attempt to take down Comrade Black and his corporation of colourless cult like followers.

Dialogue is light on the ground with most of the voice work being little more than funny squeaks, beeps and mumbles, but it does work in this context. This game, despite being for children is endearing and challenging enough for anyone to play. Running at around the 15 hour mark it offers good value for money although it may get a little repetitive in the later missions.

The graphics are nice, colourful and cute. The cut scenes are made up of impressively animated CGI sections. The colours used are a major part of the game and as such they do look spectacular, I often found myself neglecting the tasks at hand just to paint up the drab looking town! The world itself does offer many challenges, some that may frustrate you at times but generally these are due to you and not the game itself as I didn’t find any glitches whilst playing.

I did get to play it with the PS3 Move controller, and while it is very comfortable and easy to use I did feel like they missed a few tricks. To move the camera angle you need to use the D-pad which is awkward and leads to a number of poor camera angles requiring you to stop and turn the camera manually. A system such as the one implemented in RUSE to look around using the Move would have been far better and generally it just feels like they underestimated the Move controller doing little more than mapping the normal control pad buttons.

Still not a major complaint for what is a welcome break from the apocalyptic shooters that I have being playing a lot of lately. De Blob 2 is one of those games you stick on for 5 min’s and then 3 hours later you wonder where the time has gone.

Overall: De Blob 2 is a game you just have to play to understand it is such a wild concept that it is difficult to explain it properly and to fully get across just how enjoyable it is. A few issues with the camera angle and the controls can frustrate at times but don’t dampen the fun enough to make you switch it off.

The music, colours and fun characters make it endearing to all ages. This might be aimed at the kids but like most things aimed at kids, adults will still get an awful lot of enjoyment out of it, this is a game that can be definitely shared throughout the family

SCORE “C”  Very Good Game

 

HOW TO DECIPHER OUR NEW SCORES

 

A= OUTSTANDING. A must buy for all gamers

B= GREAT GAME. Few tiny flaws just keeping it from top spot

C= VERY GOOD GAME. Solid but maybe just for fans of the genre

D= GOOD GAME. Some good bits, some bad bits but still enjoyable

E= AVERAGE GAME. Not worth full price, generally a bargain basement pickup

F= BAD GAME. Is just broken or utterly useless.

G= TERRIBLE. Don’t even read the back of the box

 

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