Block Breaker Deluxe 2

Block Breaker Deluxe 2 – Think outside the blocks

It’s fairly safe to say in the lifetime of playing games I’ve seen one or two modifications on an original idea. Take the humble and classic game of paddle and ball versus blocks. You’ve probably seen the game in one form or another and with a few variations, some good some not so remarkable... so when you find one that redefines the genre, you know it’s got to be special. So with no further a due, let me introduce Block Breaker Deluxe 2 to you.

I’m probably going to upset one or two people who think that you can’t improve on a classic and that retro games should be left alone. Well, of course, I am a lover of the old style games but sometimes when you get all the ingredients right and put them together in such a way that each level seems to put a bigger grin on your face and you know there’s no way you’re going to sleep until you’ve managed to play just one more level... only to realise it’s dawn and you’ve been up for hours without any awareness of where the time’s gone, then you have a good idea of just how good this block breaking game is.

Everything from the usual bigger paddle, smaller paddle, speed up and slow down ball to fire and ice ball, lasers, remote control rockets, jet pack, multi-ball, force-field, shield, sticky ball, glob ball and orbit ball are all making an appearance in this game and that’s just to get the ball rolling (pardon the pun). There are more effects and power-ups/downs than you could shake a big stick at!

Then there’s the levels and designs to get your head around. Everything from static blocks which disappear in one or two hits to independently rotating blocks which work in tandem or as part of a pattern. So there’s loads to keep you entertained and bashing blocks away for quite a while.

The designers have added a few mini-games to spice things up a bit. Retro gamers will be pleased to see Space Invaders is recreated using moving blocks on one of the boss levels. As you work your way round from one set of challenges to another, you’ll discover more and more devious designs and obstacles for you to overcome.

So what else needs to be said? This game is a definite one for all who love the block busting type game. Racing against the clock and having a plethora of power-ups to use along the way makes this really appealing and with so many levels to master, it’s something you will find hard to tire of – even when you do complete it!

Rating 90%

Positives

Great graphics

Superb designs and power-ups

Very addictive

Negatives

Some levels almost complete themselves

It’s going to be ages until something better comes along

The pretty game and with so much happening on the screen at times you can easily lose sight of the ball