Shatter boasts beautiful graphics and redefines the brick-breaking genre with brand new mechanics and challenging boss battles.
Title: Shatter
Publisher: Sidhe Interactive
Developer: Sidhe Interactive
Genre: Puzzle Action
Players: 1
Rated E for Everyone
Every once in a while a game comes around that changes your entire perception about a specific genre. Shatter is one of those games. It takes the concept of brick breaking from games like Magic Ball and Breakout and reinvents it with innovative mechanics and amazing graphics.
A side-scrolling level
The concept that Shatter brings to the table is very familiar: you control a paddle (in this case a spaceship-type thing called “The Bat”) and unleash balls to break bricks that are positioned in various shapes across the level. The idea is to bat the ball with your “Bat” and keep it in play as long as possible with the goal of destroying every brick in the level. This simple concept has been done a lot of times before, but Shatter modifies it by adding the ability to blow and suck wind with your paddle. This unique ability allows you to alter the trajectory of the ball, making impossible shots and combos. The suck ability is also used to “suck-in” fragments from the broken bricks. Looking like stardust, these fragments add to your multiplier and also allow you to charge a super-weapon of sorts capable of breaking anything it its path. The energy acquired from the fragments also allows you to use a shield that will protect your paddle from incoming bricks and enemy attacks.
A sphere level
Yes, enemy attacks. Every world ends with a boss battle and the majority of them have a special attack capable of incapacitating your paddle for a few seconds, enough to maybe let the ball through and lose a life. The bosses all require unique strategies to beat. The first handfuls of them are quite easy, but as you move along you will encounter difficult bosses that require a lot of thinking and maybe a few retries to sort out. One of the most memorable requires you to suck it in, spinning it around to expose its weak point. Another requires you to hit three targets located behind it in order for it to open up its mouth and allow you to hit it.
A top-down level
Another thing that I like about this game is that it features three different viewpoints. It uses the 2D side-scrolling view that places your paddle on the left side and the bricks on the right, a Top-down view that places your paddle on the bottom and the bricks on the top and a modified version of the top-down view that places a sphere-like grid on the playfield, allowing the ball to bounce of it in any direction with only a small “mouth-shaped” exit where the ball could fall off the playing field. It feels like shooting a ball inside a round bottle. All three variants have their own unique challenge and the constant change of viewpoint (as well as the change in brick layouts) makes it feel refreshing. With 8 “waves” (levels) per world (before the boss fight) and over 8 worlds total, that’s a lot of levels.
The graphics are gorgeous, a great combination of particle effects and explosions. Brick-breaking has never looked this good. The sound is equally fascinating, with techno music that provides the right atmosphere and sound effects that represent the action well. Imagine a space-based pinball machine and you have the right idea.
The 411:
If you like brick-breaking games, Shatter is a must have. Even if you don’t like these types of games, Shatter could be for you. Shatter is a combination of solid action, beautiful graphics, excellent sound and a ton of fun for a modest $8 price tag. Thumbs up!
Graphics
8.5
Beautiful visuals full of explosions, particle effects and excellent physics.
Gameplay
8.8
The ability to suck and blow air to alter the ball's direction is a welcome addition and the varied levels keep the experience fresh.
Sound
8.5
The techno soundtrack fits in well and the sound effects represent the on-screen action.
Lasting Appeal
8.2
The levels are challenging and some of the trophies are hard and take a while to complete. You will be coming back to replay your favorite levels over and over again.
Fun Factor
8.8
Shatter is tons of fun, easy to pick up and play, but hard to master.
