Review: New Bust-A-Move - Don't Just Sit There, Bust A Move
by Staff Writer
February 8, 2011
There's no match three game quite like the original Bust-A-Move in those Neo-Geo arcade machines. Bust-A-Move has come once to iOS, and now New Bust-A-Move (iPhone, $4.99) is out with a brand new story, and gameplay mechanics. You fire bubbles upwards into a mass of bubbles, and try to pop them all to help Bubblun's journey of collecting scepters across the lands.
The game includes six worlds with each one containing 10 levels and a boss battle, and there is an endless mode as well. Game Center is included for online high scores and achievements, and there are new mechanics including jump shot, and a hold box to swap out the next bubble. There are two control methods with either tapping where you want to shoot the bubble or a crossbow where you pull back on the launcher, aim, and fire.
The crossbow style works great, and is perfect for iOS, but there is always a big huge red arrow on the screen when your aiming your shot. First off it disrupts the entire look of the game, and then it takes away any challenge of the game. It's so easy to fire bubbles where ever you want especially when aiming is the one skill to separate players, and instead no skill is involved.
Without challenge the game is extremely easy, and therefore boring because you're never close to losing. Even the ability to turn the guide arrow on or off would do wonders. Despite the guide arrow the gameplay just doesn't embody the challenge of the game because the bubble set ups are simple, and the pacing of the game is on the slow side. The series was known for fast paced action with puzzle elements, but the fast paced has been taken out.
All the different levels though do have the potential for a lot of play time, and the best aspect is the variability. There are brand new gameplay mechanics with the classic, floating, specific item clear, invader style, and enemies adding in bubbles. Then there are the boss battles as well which require very specific techniques, and each one requires a different strategy.
The game has a nice art style as you would expect for Bust-A-Move, but it's non-retina, and there are various upbeat soundtracks that build upon the classic quality theme song. The game probably turns off fans of the series with feeling easy, but those new to the game will probably really like it. Especially if you like more casual puzzle games like Bejeweled, Angry Birds, and Cut the Rope.
Bust-A-Move has a lot to do, but is so easy that you won't want to continue through the entire game. It's a disappointment to the series, and is not worth the $5 price tag.
The game includes six worlds with each one containing 10 levels and a boss battle, and there is an endless mode as well. Game Center is included for online high scores and achievements, and there are new mechanics including jump shot, and a hold box to swap out the next bubble. There are two control methods with either tapping where you want to shoot the bubble or a crossbow where you pull back on the launcher, aim, and fire.
The crossbow style works great, and is perfect for iOS, but there is always a big huge red arrow on the screen when your aiming your shot. First off it disrupts the entire look of the game, and then it takes away any challenge of the game. It's so easy to fire bubbles where ever you want especially when aiming is the one skill to separate players, and instead no skill is involved.
Without challenge the game is extremely easy, and therefore boring because you're never close to losing. Even the ability to turn the guide arrow on or off would do wonders. Despite the guide arrow the gameplay just doesn't embody the challenge of the game because the bubble set ups are simple, and the pacing of the game is on the slow side. The series was known for fast paced action with puzzle elements, but the fast paced has been taken out.
All the different levels though do have the potential for a lot of play time, and the best aspect is the variability. There are brand new gameplay mechanics with the classic, floating, specific item clear, invader style, and enemies adding in bubbles. Then there are the boss battles as well which require very specific techniques, and each one requires a different strategy.
The game has a nice art style as you would expect for Bust-A-Move, but it's non-retina, and there are various upbeat soundtracks that build upon the classic quality theme song. The game probably turns off fans of the series with feeling easy, but those new to the game will probably really like it. Especially if you like more casual puzzle games like Bejeweled, Angry Birds, and Cut the Rope.
Bust-A-Move has a lot to do, but is so easy that you won't want to continue through the entire game. It's a disappointment to the series, and is not worth the $5 price tag.
