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Review  Bomberman Generation
- By Michael Loewer
[Editor In Chief]
Hudson has been pimping its Bomberman license for years, but at its root, it's still the most wuppingest multi-player game out there.
Unfortunately, while the multi-player mode always stays true to form, the single-player game is often changed for the worse.
Gameplay:
Luckily, Bomberman Generation offers a very solid one-player adventure.
Combining puzzle elements, action-based gameplay, some Pokemon-style creature gathering, and a couple mini-games, Bomberman Generation offers enough to keep most players entertained.
The action comes in during real-time enemy encounters akin to a Mario adventure. What's unique here is that Bomberman can only attack using the variety of bombs that he finds. Fire bombs are the default, with ice bombs, water bombs, and more coming in later on.
By holding a bomb before dropping or throwing it, players can create a Big-Bomb with more force and a greater attack area.
Bomberman can also collect items to maximize his speed, attack range, maximum health, and even the number of bombs he can set at one time.
Bomberman then uses all these abilities to get past enemies and puzzles. The puzzles are generally simple, and might include using a big bomb to remove a boulder that dams a river. The river fills in and Bomberman can then cross it using logs floating in the water.
There are a few forgettable mini-games including the Bombjy-jump. This cleverly-named game challenges players to jump off a platform with the right timing to land on a moving platform below.
A neat idea, but beating this game by pressing one button is hardly rewarding.
What does work out, though, is the Charabom system. Charabom are the Pokemon types we mentioned earlier.
Once collected, Bomberman can activate any one Charabom to receive its ability.
One Charabom allows Bomberman to detonate bombs on command rather than them going off after a few seconds.
An active Charabom also receives the Charabom feed that Bomberman collects. These items level-up the Charabom and make them more likely to defeat others in battle. Like Pokemon, Charabom are won by beating them in battle.
From there, certain Charabom can even be merged to create new Charabom. This whole RPG element to the game works great and gives the player many more options when it comes to solving puzzles and defeating enemies.
And while many enemies are push-overs, Bomberman Generation is pretty generous with boss encounters. These baddies have their own life-meter and can take a hit as well as dish one out. Generally it's a matter of finding the right pattern and keeping out of the way.
Aesthetics:
Keeping things from getting to serious, the graphics in Bomberman Generation are bright, cel-shaded, and cartoony.
The overall effect isn't stunning, in fact it's just bright enough to make some insecure about the game.
In other words, when someone else enters the room, a "cool" person might be forced to switch the game real quick for something darker.
Growing up with Nintendo as many of us have, however, these cheerful graphics shouldn't make much difference. Afterall, with the game as good as it is, who cares?
Sound:
So where the gameplay is good and the graphics are adequate, the sound comes up short.
Bomberman Generation features, right off the bat, some of the corniest voice acting for Gamecube so far.
The game's opening story is shown as a narrated cutscene, but the voice pauses with the on-screen caption before continuing. I believe this is known as William Shatner-acting.
"In the infinitely expanding universe...."
"...This is where energy unfathomable...."
"...To humankind is overflowing...."
And that's about the gist of it. The rest of the game's sound is average. Bomberman is too high-pitched, but otherwise the game... Forget it, let's go over that voice-acting thing again, because I don't think you're getting it yet.
Here's the sentence:
"This is where energy unfathomable."
That's it. He stops. Energy unfathomable. What? Unfathomable. OK...
Oooh! He continues:
"To humankind is overflowing."
Huh? Am I the only one finding it hard to grasp the storyline here? Did he really say 'energy unfathomable'? Who says that?
Control:
Controlling Bomberman couldn't be easier. Walk into a bomb to kick it, press A to throw it, hold A to make a Big Bomb, and use the C-stick to shuffle through Charaboms and bomb types without pausing.
The scheme is a little more complex, but it's never overbearing. You can do a lot with few buttons and it makes sense. That's what control is all about.
This is especially valuable in the fast paced multi-player arena where the emphasis is on the action.
Multiplayer:
The basic game remains the same, and as good as ever. Four players run around a grid dropping bombs and collecting items to increase attack abilities.
One hit and your out, so think twice about bombing those last few obstructions. Those blocks might be the last defense you have before the whole floor is wide open to fire power.
The action is quick and always fun. Even after being killed, players still have a chance to throw in a few bombs from the side of the arena.
Many modes and arenas have been added. One mode is an Othello style game where players color the floor by bombing it. When the round ends, the player who controls the most space on the floor wins.
OVERALL:
In the end, everything comes together to make for a great multi-player, and satisfying single-player experience.
It's always risky to spread a license too far, but Hudson pulled it off here, and Bomberman Generation comes across as a solid title.
This review was written by Dan Doll of NPuzzles.
The Lowdown on  Bomberman Generation
| Aesthetics: Average |
Control: Above Average |
| Gameplay: Very Good |
Multiplayer: Awesome |
| Sound: Below Average |
Innovation: 4/6 |
| Lasting Appeal: 3/6 |
Rating Explanation |
Overall: Very Good!
"A Must-Buy"
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This game is:
Very Good
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INFO |
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Release Date:
May 2002
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IN A
NUTSHELL: |
| This is where energy unfathomable... |
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