Bomb Disposal Expert (Xbox Indie Games) Review
Posted by Trace Aber on 08.27.2009
Ever wanted to defuse bombs but wished it was more like Simon Says? Now you can finally accomplish your dream!
Title: Bomb Disposal Expert
Publisher: Evolution Dreams Studio
Developer: Evolution Dreams Studio
Players: 1-8
Genre: Puzzle
Rated: N/A
On November 18, 2008, the Xbox 360 received the “New Xbox Experience” update which added a bit and completely redesigned the user interface of the game console we all know and love. One of those changes was the addition of “Community Games,” a section of games made by independent game developers using Microsoft XNA. At first you would only get a few new games each week (I should know, I reviewed a whole slew of them), but recently more and more games have been popping it. Recently, the Community Games section was renamed to the Indie Games section, to fit in with the independent spirit of the service. Evolution Dreams Studio is one of those independent developers who have taken the plunge in the service and on April 25, 2009, released Bomb Disposal Expert. Bomb Disposal Expert puts you in the shoes of, well, a bomb disposal expert. You have but one mission – defusing bombs like it is your damn job.
Bomb Disposal Expert (BDE from this point on) doesn’t make the task of defusing a bomb as difficult as it would be in real life, and instead decide to go with a much simpler approach. The bombs that you have to defuse have four lights which happen to match up with the controller’s four face buttons. Then it becomes a lot like Simon Says in which you have to repeat a series of flashing patterns, each one longer than the previous one. You typically have to complete a certain number of sequences within the time limit to successfully defuse the bomb.
The game is split up into three different modes – career, arcade and multiplayer. Career mode has you defusing a series of bombs across a map. In arcade mode you can either play time attack or unlimited mode, each one working just as you would expect. Multiplayer mode is an interesting beast, though not all that fun to play. Playable on either multiple or a single controller, you and your friends take turns finishing sequences. For example, player one will hit green, then player two will have green and red, then player three has green, red, red, and then it goes back to player one who will have green, red, red, and yellow. While it’s a nice idea, there’s constant interruption because a small window will pop up asking the player to confirm that he’s ready. While I will give them credit for implementing a multiplayer mode and trying something different, I just don’t think it worked out too well for them.
One good thing about BDE is the level of customization that you are given. In career mode you can decide the number of sequences, how long the lights stay lit before moving on, how long you have to defuse the bomb, the beat time limit, and how many beats are added per sequence. In addition, BDE presents four modes of play that determine how you press the buttons. Normal is about what you expect – if red lights up you would press the B button. In mirror, however, you have to press the opposite button shown. So, if red shows up, you would actually press X. Clockwise mode has you following the next button clockwise (blue would be Y), and counter clockwise is the reverse of that. These four gameplay modes add a level of difficulty and some getting used to, bumping up the replay value a bit.
Overall, Bomb Disposal Expert is a simple yet fun timewaster. While I do not expect to see this game winning any awards or even busted out at parties, for the 80MP (roughly $1) that they’re asking for you’re getting a fun game. If you’re a fan of the old Simon Says game or really into defusing bombs, this is the game for you. Like I said, this isn’t the greatest game ever made but for a dollar it’s not meant to be. What it will do, however, is help you kill some time and make the world a safer place.
Graphics
4.0
It's a picture of a bomb with some flashing lights - not a whole lot going on.
Gameplay
7.0
As a virtual reimagining of Simons Says, this is perfect.
Sound
6.0
There's only one song and it gets annoying after a while.
Lasting Appeal
5.0
The four gameplay modes are fun to cycle through, but this works best as a quick time waster.
Fun Factor
6.0
It's a decent, if simple, puzzle game with very little else.
