Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy

"An Underrated Gem"

In the past, side scrolling shooters were a very common genre of video games. As video gaming evolved, this genre slowly shrank in popularity, becoming extremely rare. Budcat is attempting to bring this lost genre back, with Blast Works: Build Trade Destroy , for the Nintendo Wii. Not only does this game feature 15 large levels, but it also contains a level editor which allows you to create practically anything you would ever want.

Gameplay
The gameplay is extremely simple. The object is to get to the far right of the stage, where you will encounter a boss. Upon the boss's defeat, you will proceed to the next level. This game, however, features one major addition. When you defeat an enemy, you are able to suck up their remains, using it as both a shield and a weapon. At any time, you can suck in your massive behemoth to protect it from incoming attacks. The game can be played with either the Wii Remote, the Remote and Nunchuk, or the classic controller. All three control methods are excellent.

Graphics and Art Style
While Blast Works does not feature incredible graphics, it does include many vibrant colours. Combined with the colourful backgrounds, the game is able to convey a vibrant atmosphere. Additionally, the enemies and shapes are very detailed. A balloon, for example, might include a pattern using several shades of red and pink. This creates an interesting look, increasing the quality of the art.

Modes
The campaign mode features 5 campaigns, with 3 levels each. After beating each campaign, your progress is essentially saved, allowing you to continue at any time. On the easiest of the three difficulties, this is hardly needed. However, on the tougher difficulties, this becomes a necessity. The campaign mode features a wide assortment of settings, from fighting hot air balloons, to modern jets, to finally an encounter in space. The easiest difficulty will welcome in new players to the genre, but even shoot-em-up purists will have a hard time beating the game on ace. If you have a friend, both of you can enjoy a cooperative session, using large amounts of teamwork and cooperation to reach the end.

The game also features an arcade mode. In this mode, you play through the main campaign levels, with several differences. First of all, the game never saves. Instead, you are given 5 continues, which you can use at any time that you run out of lives. If these continues run out, you must restart the entire game. Secondly, the game can be played with up to three other players, instead of campaign mode's two player limit. This multiplayer mode is great for small bursts of fun at parties, but the large amounts of chaos will not last for long periods of time.

Next up is the editor mode. You can literally create anything in the editor, from background shapes, to ships, to enemies, to bullet patterns and even full levels. The in game levels were actually created using a PC version of the game's editor! You can recreate your favorite Mario level, or create a level full of bosses. You have graphic filters allowing such options as an underwater level, or even a level made out of paper! You can assign premade movement paths to your newly created enemies, allowing an unlimited amount of possibilities. Make an easy level designed for fun, or go all out with nearly unbeatable enemies. The choice is yours!

Using the official website blastworksdepot.com, any player can upload their content to be used by the general public. You can easily download any uploaded content, without the use of friend codes. This gives the game nearly limitless replay value,as long as one has a strong level of creativity. Trading creations with other gamefaqs users has never been this easy on the Wii.

Unlockables
Blast Works has a large number of unlockables. By progressing through the game on various difficulty levels, one can unlock 4 different games developed by Kenta Cho. These games are all free dowloadable PC games, but that does not detract from their quality . You can also unlock a large variety of cheats. These cheats have many effects, from changing the gameplay to simply changing the graphics. While you cannot unlock anything new while using a cheat, it allows you to mess around with the game, allowing things you normally could not do.

Conclusion
Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy is a game that reintroduces a lost genre. The varying difficulties allow newcomers to jump in, while still providing a challenge to hardcore purists. Thanks to the level editor, the game is given a nearly endless amount of replay value. The online trading could not be any better, as it is fast and easy to find and download content. This game is definitively worth the 40 dollar price tag, and I strongly urge anyone to pick it up.

Final Score: 8.6/10 (Rounded up to 9)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/30/08

Game Release: Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy (US, 06/11/08)