Blinx: The Time Sweeper

"Blinx Stinx? Hardly!"

It's obvious to me that gamers opinions on this title are split. From reading various reviews and message boards it really shows that there is a love/hate relationship going on. Those that like the game really enjoy it, and those that dislike it can go as far as labeling anyone who does as a blind ''fanboy''.

Wondering which category you fall into? Still a little bit skeptical due to bad reviews? Read on...

Gameplay: 9/10

First impressions are generally very important, and perhaps this is why the opinion of Blinx falters. While the game slowly eases you into the swing of things, I found myself to be a bit overwhelmed and confused for the first couple of levels. That's when I realized that if you try to play Blinx like a traditional platformer you will not be pleased. Being the only title of it's kind, people will play it how it has been previously etched in their mind: collect everything that sparkles and never look back. Doing so in Blinx will constitute nothing but failure and frustration.

As you probably know, you have the ability to alter time to your benefit in this game. This is only made possible by collecting time crystals scattered throughout the levels. There are 5 different types of these: Red Hearts (retry crystals), Blue Moons (pause crystals), Pink Crosses (rewind crystals), Yellow Stars (slow crystals), Green Diamonds (record crystals), and Orange Triangles (fast forward crystals). You have 4 slots to hold picked up crystals, and in order to attain usage of their powers you need to collect at least 3 of the same color in one batch. If you go around snatching them up like a bunch of Lucky Charms the chance of you getting 3 matching crystals is very slim. Strategic and selective collecting, however, is very rewarding as liberal use of time control powers is a necessity in order to succeed.

Next up is the Time Sweeper, a vacuum-like device that can suck up and store pieces of garbage that are strewn about each level. Again, strategy is recommended in the order and types of garbage you pick up. Different enemies are more susceptible to different types of garbage. Since time is a key issue, you'll want to finish foes off as efficiently as possible. Trail and error in the earlier levels will save you headaches once you start progressing further through the game. A little common sense doesn't hurt either.

Gold plays a large part in the game as well. It is scattered around levels in the same manner as time crystals. Picking up gold does not affect your time crystal combos so you don't need to worry. At first it may be confusing as to what objects are actually gold due to the fact that it sometimes takes the same shapes as time crystals, but in time you will not mistake the coloring. Also, gold is given for any garbage contained in your sweeper when you exit the level. The amount for each different piece varies, so again trial and error is advantageous. Having your sweeper full of valuable items is an easy way to procure large amounts of money. Once you have sufficient funds a visit to the shop will offer many opportunities. You can buy sweepers with different abilities and sucking strengths so you can open up previously inaccessible areas in levels, grab larger pieces of garbage, and suck other garbage at greater speed. Also available are holders that increase the amounts of retry crystals(a retry crystal is basically an extra hit point), time controls, and garbage you can hold at any one time.

Music: 8/10

Catchy, poppy, fast paced, very upbeat. Reminiscent of games such as NiGHTS and Ristar. Not much else to say.

Graphics: 10/10

Yes, they are as great as you've undoubtedly heard. If you haven't heard; they're great. Yes they are.

Lastability: 9/10

If you are the kind of person that likes to replay things to get the fastest possible times, highest rank, and unearth every secret, Blinx will consume your soul.

The Bottom Line...

Blinx is an excellent game that requires more strategy than meets the eye. If you still aren't sure about your stance on the game a rental would probably would be ideal. If it hooks you, it's a definite buy.

+ Unique
+ Engaging gameplay
+ Great atmosphere
± Backtracking (how heavily you weigh this depends entirely on you)
- Camera can be wonky at times
- It can be a bit difficult to grab the exact crystal you want to finish a time control combo

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/22/02, Updated 10/22/02