Shatter
Shatter for PSN is a game that came outta nowhere. Up until a week or so before release I heard absolutely nothing about this game, and it’s a shame because it’s quickly climbing the list of my favorite PSN games.
The game itself is a weird hybrid of a shumup and breakout. I loved games like Breakout and Arknoid when I was a kid, but now I’m just really tired of that game. Even the newest Arknoid remake, just turns me off, I barely put anytime into the free breakout that came on my iPod. So it’s surprising that I would get this much enjoyment outta this game. The interesting thing is while Shatter inherits so many elements from Breakout, and typical shoot em ups, it ends up feeling unlike either.
The game has a “story” mode, a boss rush mode, and an additional bonus mode. The story mode has several worlds to play through each consisting of 7 waves followed by a boss.
The gameplay is really fun and addictive. Actually it is a bit reminiscent of Peggle. You start with a paddle that contains 3 lives (balls); you can play one ball at a time, or shoot them all out at once to get a higher score.
You fire you balls into the playing field where there are tons of blocks to break. There are different types of blocks: the standard block, some that take more hits, some that explode, etc. When a block breaks tons of points fly out. When your paddle absorbs those points your super bar builds up and you can activate a powerful beam for a couple seconds that will obliterate anything in its path. Also blocks can break and release power-ups like extra lives, or stronger balls, point’s multipliers.
The first world has a standard square play field with 3 walls. In later levels the field changes to more complex shapes that really change up the gameplay. To keep the ball in the play field you have to hit it with your paddle when it’s going to fly out.
Your paddle also has the power to send out waves that suck in things or blow them away. Meaning you can suck in the points flying around, any lose blocks, and the ball. Or you can use the waves to push things away from you. This is great way to manipulate the ball on the fly and is what keeps the game from feeling so much like Breakout.
I’ve got nothing bad to say about this game. It’s not as difficult as you’d expect, which I find is a nice touch that even the average player can get through the game. It’s an incredible fun game and the price ($7.99) is great. I recommend everyone who likes fun, to get this game.
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