Hardcorps
On the surface, Blast Corps. may seem like nothing more than a mindless demolition game. Upon further inspection, it becomes apparent that it is also a strategy, arcade, racing, and puzzle game mixed into one. Few games can be called truly unique, but there isn't much else out there like Blast Corps.
The premise of the game doesn't come close to making sense, so it is probably best not to overthink it. A pair of nuclear missiles being carried by a special truck with an automated driving system has become corrupted, and is on a collision course with the nearest object in its path. The malfunction has caused the missiles to become unstable, and they will explode with the slightest jolt. Cue the Blast Corps., a specialized team of demolitions experts, who have been called in to secure a path for the runaway carrier, as well as round up a group of scientists to figure out a way to safely detonate the missiles. The truck travels around the world, and how it can cross entire oceans is a mystery.
There are two types of levels throughout the game. The main carrier stages have the goal of destroying all objects in the carrier's path. Special bonus stages can be opened by finding satellite dishes in the main levels. These offer a variety of challenges, centered around destroying all buildings or objects within a time limit, and racing around a track for the best time. They provide a nice break from the carrier levels, but the race ones are generally boring and uninteresting.
Each carrier level centers around one or two vehicles, with over a dozen usable throughout the game. Each one has its own way of destroying buildings, which ranges from simple to complex. The bulldozer is the easiest to use, which can plow through buildings like a bowling ball through pins. The Backlash, a dump truck, must swing around to smash buildings with its armoured rear. The motorbike sports twin missile launchers, which has a limited number of ammo boxes scattered around the level. There is even a robot that somersaults through structures, causing massive damage in its wake.
Levels are designed around these vehicles, requiring mastery of their unique destructive capabilities to clear a path before it is too late. The Backlash stages usually involve tight spaces, requiring careful and precise movement. Sometimes there is more to clearing a path than simply destroying buildings. In one level, a train must be moved into position to allow the carrier to travel across the tracks; in another, large blocks must be pushed using the bulldozer's shovel to fill holes in the ground.
The real challenge of the game doesn't open up until after it is seemingly complete. Acquiring gold medals on all levels will open up Time Attack for the main carrier levels. This mode is where the game shines, as achieving the gold time requires the utmost skill and understanding of each vehicle. Once all these golds are achieved, it will become possible to try for platinum medals by beating insanely fast times on each stage. Some are so fast that they seem almost impossible, to the point where many will likely grow frustrated and give up the pursuit.
The camera is positioned with an isometric vantage point, and can be rotated on most stages. Given the camera perspective, the controls can be a little disorienting at first. Turning a vehicle, which can be done with either the control stick or D-pad, is relative to the direction the vehicle is facing, and not the perspective of the camera. For most vehicles, forward movement is done by holding the A button, though a few require simply pressing the control stick in that direction. The varying controls can be confusing, but after a bit of practice everything works smoothly.
The texture work is smooth and detailed, though the polygon count is low, making the world look a bit flat and boxy. Comparing it to a model train set would be apt. The framerate is generally smooth, though there is slowdown during the few times when the camera pans out to view the whole area. The destruction sound effects aren't always fitting, as sometimes collapsing buildings sound more like tools falling off a shelf. There is some slight voicework in the game, which mostly includes comments from your team members at the start and end of each level.
There is a lot of challenge packed into this little game, enough to drive completionists mad. Even if all you want to do is wreck stuff, Blast Corps. is a game not to be missed.
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