When Bloom Blox was reviewed last month by GamerDad, it piqued my interest. I decided it might be just the kind of Wii game I appreciate. I went and got a copy to see for myself. The solo game play is interesting but not compelling but the game shines as a party game. It is the best pick-up-and-play party game for larger crowds of tweens and teens since the original Wii Sports pack-in that comes with the system.

Sure, there are many good four player games out there, but to be a true party game in my book I’m looking for a game that plays through a challenge fairly quickly (5 or maybe 10 minutes tops) so that waiting players (beyond the original four) can get in a turn. For example, the EyeToy AntiGrav hover-boarding game on the PS2 was great fun and easy to play, but a single run down the mountain took too long to make a good party game. Boom Blox provides several different challenges for game play, but are all loosely based around knocking (or not knocking) down a stack of Jenga-like blocks. With such a simple game premise, players are not required to master complex Wiimote skills. Rather, they can focus in on playing the game and having fun.

Using the Wiimotes, players take turns either throwing balls at the stack of blocks to knock point blocks off, or grabbing blocks by squeezing the Wiimote and then trying to remove them without tipping over the rest of the stack. Aiming the camera is done with the B button underneath the Wiimote, and shots are then lined up and locked in using the A button. A flick of the arm or wrist while letting go of the A button sends your ball flying. The basic game is fun enough, but special blocks are added to the mix that can add a bit more excitement. Purple blocks disappear if hit, red blocks explode if hit, and there are even green blocks that explode only if they’re put into contact with other green blocks.

The best party game is typically the basic knock down the tower scheme. Every block knocked off scores points, with blocks of higher value weighted in the game physics to make them harder to knock off. (I may have to use the game in class when I cover inertia and mass!) For gamers that are more comfortable with the Wiimote and the game, other party games require players to avoid negative scoring blocks or even try to knock blocks off the stack and into particular targets for additional point multipliers.

In addition to the competitive games for two to four players (which, in a nice move, can be played with a single Wiimote, passing it around to each player) there is a cooperative mode where two players attempt to accomplish specific scenarios. The solo mode has a series of scenarios that strongly remind me of Tetris-like puzzles where a particular stack of blocks need to be carefully analyzed to determine how to eliminate the stack with a minimum of throws, maximum number of points, and as few negative blocks disturbed as possible. The other portion of the solo mode is a campaign mode where you follow the cute block-shaped animals as they go through several themed adventures. In the initial sheep campaign, you must help the sheep blocks defend their treasure blocks by throwing at other invading animal blocks, knocking them back out of the way before they can steal the poor sheep’s valuable treasures. Finally, players can create their own levels, with special blocks and tools available once they’re unlocked from the puzzle and solo campaign modes. Created levels can be shared with other friends using online friend codes.

I found myself enjoying all the solo puzzle-like scenarios, trying to earn a gold medal for most of them, but the campaign mode of throwing balls at invading animal blocks began to wear a bit thin after awhile. I’m sure I’ll eventually finish off the more advanced puzzles as I unlock them, but may not be engrossed enough in the title to completely finish off the advanced campaigns.

The game’s party modes clearly outshine the rest of the title, but the controls and game are kept simple and fun without any unneeded complexity. Its initial retail price point of $50 or so may be a bit steep for some, but may just be worth it for those looking for solid family fun appropriate for a broad range of players.

Tags: Game Reviews