Bomberman is back with a Bang!
The multiplayer mode turns this already bright spark into a blaze of excitement.
He’d probably be shot on sight if he ever approached an international airport, but this hasn’t stopped everyone’s favourite Bomberman from conquering consoles across the globe. Now, with a new job and a new spacecraft, Cheerful White has finally arrived on the DS, and this time he’s taking the adventure into his own hands. With its RPG feel and extra mini-game action, Bomberman Story introduces a whole new depth to the usual blast of pumped-up pyromania.
As an agent of the Justice Department, you must investigate a number of abductions that are occurring on different planets throughout the galaxy?though, to be honest, the less said about the plot the better. When the only human crewmember is a young girl, save points are incredibly frequent, and a bottle of wine is referred to as an ?adult beverage?, it is clear the game is aimed at a younger market. This perhaps explains why the story is a little straightforward. Nonetheless, the dialogue didn’t need to be quite so dry and childish, with the baddies only talking in playground insults and the goodies forever rambling on about how great it is to be such good friends. Too much in one sitting and you’re sure to be reacquainted you with your dinner!
But, story aside, it is the new element of freedom in the gameplay that makes this one of the more enjoyable Bomberman adventures.
The game itself plays like an original Zelda, if Link happened to be a member of the IRA. From volcanic wastes to the ocean floor, each planet has a completely different environment that you are free to explore. And with a whole arsenal of different bombs at your disposal, it’s your job to blow a hole through a host of beautifully rendered hostiles, pay a visit to the planet’s friendly locals, and face a final boss in a sinister dungeon showdown. As an extra feature, you’re also free to revisit the planets at any time, whether to uncover any hidden bonuses or simply to flame-grill more fiends in hope of levelling up and improving your skills.
However, the set-bomb-and-scarper method of combat is bound to feel repetitive after a while. Fortunately, the developers have mixed things up a little with some occasional bonus challenges (even more challenging for the colour blind, as I discovered) and over ten mini games that make great use of the DS touch screen and microphone features. Though, unfortunately, not all the game’s puzzles involve this same level of inspiration.
You’ll occasionally find yourself having to talk to the same people over and over until they say something different: the same formula that makes up at least 90% of the Broken Sword series. Perhaps the most annoying example is, and not to use harsh words, one particular female dog who sends you back and forth bombing different numbers of enemies until you’re finally rewarded with a new mini-game?where you simply have to bomb some more. But, persevere and you’ll soon be back on track with the action.
Of course, Bomberman wouldn’t be the same without a multiplayer mode, and this time it delivers more than you could hope for. Whether you prefer a more strategic game or just blowing your friends into the next galaxy, there are over 20 different gaming modes you can explore with up to 8 players, thanks to the DS’ download function.
Now, I count myself pretty lucky that I share a house with three good friends, and even luckier that we all own a DS. Even so, it still takes at least two months notice, numerous text and whiteboard messages, and perhaps even a secretary or two to bring us together for a game of Mario Party DS. With this in mind, the chances of getting 8 players to join in for a round of Bomberman are equivalent to Mario jumping up during a game and swearing at the screen (although highly unlikely, Mario Party 8 proved that anything is possible)! But if you do happen to be lonesome one night, there’s always the Wi-Fi function to welcome gamers from every nation into your home?before blowing them to smithereens!
All in all, the plot fails to entertain, but with such explosive gameplay and a few extra features here and there, Bomberman Story is something to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. And with such a vast selection of options, the multiplayer mode turns this already bright spark into a blaze of excitement that’s impossible to defuse.
The Bad: The story leaves a lot to be desired and the game may seem repetitive at times.
Gold Y Award