Implode is a puzzle game where your goal is to keep the screen as clear
as possible. Blocks gather from the bottom and push their way up
in waves of rows. In addition to blocks, you have bombs and "flashing
blocks" to contend with.
Objective
As blocks line the screen, find
any connected group of 3 or more same-colored blocks and use your
cursor to highlight and select any block in the group to remove that
group from the playing field.
Sounds simple, huh?! It pretty much is - to pick up that is. As you get
more skilled and further advanced, the difficulty increases, and your
sweat glands get agitated from the adrenaline. Grab some heavy duty
antiperspirant!
Graphics
Graphics are your typical "falling
blocks" puzzle type (only the blocks rise instead of fall in this
game),
with your rectangular border for the action area, and a side bar to
divulge your progress i.e. points accumulated, bonus points, time to
complete a stage, what round you are on, high score, etc. The square
cursor you use is animated (it flashes), the blocks in the game are
standard looking blocks, but not unattractive, and the bombs
look like they were mimicked from Bomberman. That gives you an
idea
that they aren't too shabby. Another effect is a strobing border for
the
action/play area when the blocks get too high to the top......neat for
a first game from a homebrew lab! The title screen has vector looking
polygons/triangles that rotate and change color beside the titles to
choose from on this
disc. The high score screen has a neat rotating and
cylindrical alphabet system to choose from. There are some neat ideas
that went into the look of this game. Although the graphics are
not stellar, they cannot be slammed either for many reasons, and the
main two being that one: it is a homebrew (a GREAT one too!), and
two, it is JUST a puzzle game, so how much pizazz does one need in a
Tetris styled puzzle game?
Sound
Sound FX are kinda weak in this
one.......but do not get on you nerves THANK GOD! They sound kinda
Atari 2600-ish, and I wish more time could have been spent on making
them
cooler sounding. I am sure the team did not have the most time in the
world to dedicate to a homebrew team, lest they get thrown out by their
spouses! The music in the game is CD-based and is pretty good. I think
most of you who have purchased this game know that this sound is
adequate for the title, and I pray this review doesn't jinx your
decision making in getting this game from the folks at MINDREC.
Gameplay is SOOOOOOOOO simple!!!! Move a cursor around, getting rid of
three or more blocks of the same color, and detonating bombs that match
the color of certain blocks to clear them quicker, and keep them
dad-burn blocks from reaching the top!!!!! How hard is that? Not
hard at all. The controls are well executed, and will NOT give you the
impression that you are a tank treading quicksand. Thanks
guys - nothing is worse than a game that sucks Richard Simmons pubic
hairs through a swizzle stick for maneuverability!!!! You done did us
good! = )
Coming back for more of Implode is a definite, but i wouldn't say it's
something you will die to play.........but you get your moneys worth if
you play it more than just "a few times". Bonus titles on this
disc are "Humpball", and "Crash" .....two other homebrew games B.T.
Garner and the crew at MINDREC developed before Implode. Small reviews
for these ones will come up soon exclusively here at Turbo2K !!!
On an added note.........the whole
package comes in a very nice package, and looks very professional, as
if NEC had helped produce this title, and the artwork is very
good, as well as the professional looking instructions through out the
booklet complete with snaps of the games in action. I give a
wholehearted thanks to B.T. Garner, and MINDREC for making new games
for our precious P.C. Engine long after it's demise. I suggest you
head over to www.mindrec.com and purchase these titles to add to your
NEC collection!!!!
HULLABALOO!!!!!
