Run Around, Go Boom: 'Splosion Man

| Print Post This | Like (0) | Comments (0)

WITH "'Splosion Man," developer Twisted Pixel (creators of the marvelous "Maw") has proven once again that it's mastered the art of taking a simple gameplay concept, injecting it with a memorable mascot and tweaking it until it's whipped up a whirligig of wacky fun.

The concept is actually deceptively simple. You play as the titular combustible menace, and your only goal is to escape an interstellar scientific lab using the lone ability you have: You can blow yourself up.

That's it. You can't pick up objects (save for an overweight doughnut-munching scientist), punch or kick. The fact that the developers are able to construct 50 levels of 2-D platforming bliss reminiscent of the best Sonic the Hedgehog ever offered around this idea is a testament not only to their game design skills, but also their ability to create great characters.

Where Maw was a lovable alien blob-puppy with a penchant for eating everything that wasn't nailed down, 'Splosion Man is a zany molten mass of insanity that recalls Woody Woodpecker at his most anarchic. He constantly jabbers nonsense, sounding not unlike a hopped-up Swedish Chef. A personal favorite quirk is his penchant for shouting the names of random lunch meats after you've comically blown up an evil scientist blocking your path.

The game also offers another 50 levels of co-op multiplayer mayhem. Basically a reworking of the single-player mode, the multiplayer offers more than a few unique challenges that do a fantastic job of engaging the players.

Simply put: 'Splosion Man is one of the best games this year — and at only $10, buying it is a no-brainer.

Photo courtesy Twisted Pixel