Review Information
Game Reviewed Bob-Ball, by Q-Nova
Review Author Cake
Created Apr 18 2015, 7:47 PM

General Commentary and Game Overview
This game was ultimately submitted for a mini-game competition, leading to a not-as-polished-as-it-should-be game.
That being said, it's a brick breaker (like the classic Breakout) that takes place in the sky with a bob-omb, clearing brick blocks and getting power-ups to obtain the highest possible score under a 5-minute time limit.
 
Pros The power-ups are a nice addition that do change up the gameplay. The music is original as well, which may or may not be a good thing depending on how much you personally like it.
 
Cons Among the handful of cons, the 5-minute longer time limit and the unchanging brick formation stand out the most. It's repetitive gameplay under sessions that last longer than they feel like they should.
 
Impressions
Gameplay
7 / 10
While the idea of a score-based system with a 5-minute time limit is kind of cool, the formation of blocks never changes. Every time when you clear all of the blocks, you're left to clear another two rows of blocks that look identical. The power-ups are fun though and provide a nice twist to the gameplay of other brick breaker games. Notably, I did encounter a glitch on my second playthrough where the bob-omb got stuck in the corner.
 
Graphics
8 / 10
The graphics are OK and don't go above or below expectations, and the birds in the background are a nice touch. However, the animation for collecting power-ups (the image of the power-up expanded and faded away) interfered twice or thrice with where I thought the ball was located, so perhaps the effects need to be less exaggerated. Almost all of the graphics fit in with the game's style, which are completely original.
 
Sound
7 / 10
The sound isn't anything too noteworthy nor unfitting, (like the graphics) excluding the game over theme which doesn't fit the rest of the game.
 
Replay
5 / 10
As noted previously with the gameplay, the design of the formation of the bricks is lacking. It's the same formation of blocks every time, so it's kind of difficult to be engaged to replay the game too much or at all. Perhaps if there were enemies, or the blocks were constantly scrolling like in the GB game Alleyway, then it would be more engrossing.
 
Final Words
7 / 10
While the power-ups provides a nice mix from other classic brick breaking games, the gameplay is ultimately repetitive.

Comments
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Q-Nova
Apr 19 2015, 12:36 AM
Thanks for the review! I thought of making an expansion to this game, which might include enemies, different blocks, and stuff. Though, it might never happen, but who knows? The music is ripped from Mario games, but the Game Over one is composed by me. I know, it's not good, but I don't know how to compose music at all.
 
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Cake
Apr 19 2015, 6:21 AM
Well, for what it's worth it'll do well in the minigame competition.
But yeah, I could definitely see some improvements followed by this being a great breakout clone.
(Note: I only reviewed this to see if I would get a badge for it. Take that as you will.)
 
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