Hudson brings you another high-impact, high explosive title from the world known Bomberman series onto the Nokia N-Gage. With all new enemies to battle it out against, mounted upon your trusty steed Louie, eight unique levels, new power-ups and a big pile of bombs, this hopes to be the most addictive blaster on the market.
In Bomberman Central Park stands the Golden Bomberman Statue that watches over everyone. It is a mark of unity among the people and gives them a sense of security and peace.
The sun is up high in the sky and it is like any other day as Bomberman makes his way on his usual patrol. However, something is different about the park today, which at first he cannot place his finger on. After thinking on it for a few moments, he realises that the Golden Bomberman Statue is gone!!! In its place, on the ground, is a small scrap of paper that says, “I took the statue. If you want it back, come and get me!”
Looking around, Bomberman sees a warp hole closing nearby. He yells,
“Whoever did this must have escaped through there!”
Bomberman runs to the vanishing warp hole and jumps through.
From here is where the game hits off; the warp hole spits you out into the first world---Standard World. Surrounded by orange soft blocks and a border of futuristic machinery, you begin your long adventure to retrieve the Golden Bomberman Statue from the evil fiend behind this heinous crime.
For most of those playing this game, it is not their first time experience. People have played all of the previous Bomberman titles or at least had a go on one of them. However, if there are some new to the game, be excited because this little white tights wearing dude is not famous for nothing!
The game is set out on a grid of ten by ten squares. Moving around within the gaps available to you, the player must guide Bomberman around the arena in order to use the other functions. Once in place, you must place the bombs against either soft-blocks of enemies in order to destroy them with the fiery burst. Once all of the enemies are defeated and the secret door to the next level is found, then you can advance in the game.
These are just the basics.
Within the game you acquire power-ups. These will show up with little icons that appear when either you destroy soft-blocks or enemies. Using these can enhance Bomberman’s abilities. There are many of them and range from extending the power and blast of your bombs, raising your agility, being able to kick away bombs, throw them and even detonate them through the use of remote control. Gaining all of these will raise the level of your gameplay and help you through the harder levels.
The new addition to this title, especially since the older version from the Super Nintendo, is the use of an animal named Louie. This green and white kangaroo like animal puts you on his back and rides you around the level. There are even some items you can collect that will enhance his abilities too; like allowing him to jump or dash with a quicker speed. Not only is he good for use within the game for the sake of his abilities but he also acts as protection if you are hit or get caught in the blast of your bombs. However, he can only take one hit for you and then disappears.
All in all, that is the actual game of Bomberman but now with these new added features.
In one player mode you have the option to play the ‘Story Mode’. Within story mode, you obviously are shown the scene with the Golden Bomberman Statue and then you follow the story and start the game from where it leaves off.
This is pretty much the same as any other Bomberman game where you have to make your way through the levels, using your bombs to destroy the enemies and soft-blocks to reveal the secret doorway to the next level. At the end of each world you will have to face a boss, a guardian to stop you from getting closer to the thief. Ranging from a bomb-making robot to a psychotic snowman with a trident, you will have to defeat them all if you wish to have a go at beating the one responsible for the theft of the beloved statue.
There are eight worlds in total. The first is Standard World and, as said before, it is a world with orange soft-blocks and a border with a futuristic theme. It is the first and easiest of them all, however, it is still tough if you do not pay much attention to it. From there, you make your way through the rest of the worlds. There is a snow world, forest world, futuristic world and many more to look forward to and journey through.
The bad point about this game is that Story Mode is the only mode playable through the use of one player. In previous titles you could battle it off in matches against the computer in a normal arena to fight to become the Golden Bomberman. Although the Story Mode is quite long and will have you playing for a long time, there is nothing else that will hold you to the game if you have completed it.
The other mode playable to you is Multiplayer Mode. Through the use of the Bluetooth technology that the N-Gage has, you can link up with other N-Gage owners to battle it out in an arena to become the Golden Bomberman and the number one bomber over all your mates. This mode is great fun and you can spend many hours with your friends just trying to blow each other into the sky.
However, this mode should have been included through the use of one player too. With the use of bots, Hudson could have allowed this mode to be played and then it would have extended the length and use of the game in the long run.
Bomberman also does not have the capability of the N-Gage Arena. Without this another problem arises---if you do not know anyone else with an N-Gage and a copy of the game then it once again limits the length of the game and addictive playability.
Like many, if not all, of the Bomberman titles, the graphics of the game are in the classic cartoon like style. However, it is a little different. Even though in the cartoon style, it seems to have a hint of 3D edge to it, rather than the flat appearance of previous titles. Though it is not up to standards with the amazing graphics of today, no other style would suit the game and it all works perfectly together to give the player the same, wonderful experience of the many Bomberman games everyone is used to.
The pixilated design of Bomberman himself works and runs smoothly, the frame rate taking it all in at a nice and leisurely pace, giving the game a smooth flow. Now instead of the boring 2D like walk that all games of the time seemed to have, this new title gives him a more unique walk with his little legs striding and his arms rocking back and forth with the motion just to give him a more appealing look so that the player does not get too bored of watching him walking around level after level.
All of the enemies move with the same smooth motion and are designed with splendorous colours too. The bosses are created with the same detail as Bomberman and move with their unique motions and fight with their personal, special attacks.
All of the classic elements of the series have not been forgotten and the techno, melody like tunes are all here and present. At the title screen you are greeted with a Mario sounding like song until you have chosen the mode in which you wish to play.
Each world has its own tune to fit with the theme and design of the levels. Within the levels there are only the sound effects of placing the bombs, hearing them explode, picking up items and a fairy like tune for when you uncover the gate way to the next world---among a few others.
Bomberman has all the elements of a classic multiplayer game. Although the Story Mode is quite long, most people know the series for its bombing fun against one another to become the Golden Bomberman and boast that you are number one! The one problem with this game is the length of play and lack of re-playability; without the one player being able to battle it out in the arena against bots or the use of the N-Gage Arena.
Summing it all up, Bomberman is of course a good game, a classic title that has survived through the many years of gaming and is still today a well-known name within the gaming market. It is a good buy for new or experienced players of the series and with the right elements (Knowing others with the game) it could keep you and your mates hooked for days on end.
Tobias Rowe
