Bomberman Online
Score: 85% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Sega Developer: Sega Media: GD/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Miscellaneous/ Puzzle
Graphics & Sound: At first glance, Bomberman Online's combination of 3D graphics and cel-shaded graphics seemed out of place. But after a while, it was hard to even distinguish between the two during the actual gameplay. As you would hope and expect from a game like this, there is absolutely no slow down, allowing Bomberman Online to give you a constant feeling of being in hyper-drive. The most childish part of Bomberman Online is by far the music and sound fx. Character voices are merely gibberish, while background sounds are also a bit too simple. Even the bombs that go off don't give you that feeling you should get when you drop off three bombs ready to explode. Fortunately, the Bomberman series isn't about graphics and sound. It's all about the gameplay, baby!
Gameplay: If you have ever played any of the Bomberman games, you know that it's not the graphics that make it shine, but instead the gameplay. And within that gameplay, the series has always been about intense and addictive multi-player gaming. Bomberman Online is no different. You control your Bomberman against up to 3 of your friends. The basic goal is to blow each other sky high by placing bombs in strategic locations. You will soon realize that Bomberman Online's gameplay can get extremely frantic in a hurry. Throughout the boards, you will be able to pick up power-ups that enable you to lay multiple bombs, kick and throw bombs, or obtain speed-ups, just to name a few. But watch out, your buddies (and computer players) have the same opportunity to nab these extras and in no time the level will be a flaming inferno. For the ultimate experience, Bomberman Online also lets you take on players from all across the country via SegaNet. Unfortunately, SegaNet is the ONLY way you'll be able to go online. There's no more using your own ISP, as Sega is trying a new approach to online gaming. Along with the 4-player option, Bomberman Online also includes a single-player version of the popular game, the Story Mode. Here you will have to battle your way through various levels of mayhem in order to take on the bosses of each type of game. There are five different ways to play in all (this goes for multi-player too). In Survival, you must simply be the last man standing. In Hyper Bomber, you will have to collect 3 'target panels' and make your way to the center to win. Submarine incorporates aquatic bombs. Here the board is divided in half, and you will have to launch your bombs through the water to the other side in order to blow up your opponents. In Panel Paint, your mission is to cover the floor with the most panels of your color when the time runs out. And finally, in Ring Match, your bombs' explosion areas will be highlighted on the floor, and you must be in the clear when they explode. You'll get 2 points for every person you blow up, while you will lose 1 point for every time you die.
Difficulty: With a concept so simple, you may think that Bomberman Online will be easy and childish. I'm here to tell you differently. Believe it or not, the game's frantic pace makes its difficulty skyrocket in Story Mode. The good thing is that once you beat a stage, you don't have to do it again (but you can if you want), so eventually you will probably be able to complete the game. Of course, this is all good, but the real challenge comes from hard-core multi-player action. And the difficulty here is in your competition.
Game Mechanics: Bomberman Online is so basic and simple to control that gamers of all ages should be able to easily jump right in to the fast-paced action, while competing with the big boys will take some work. There are relatively few buttons that will ever need to be pressed. The biggest action you'll need to get used to is positioning your Bomberman to avoid the many blasts of fiery explosions on the board. The biggest key is to get as many power-ups as possible, as it would be virtually impossible to win without them. Bomberman Online is a highly addictive party game. Anyone that has ever enjoyed the series will fall in love once again. Those that have never tried before will definitely want to check this one out. The only true downfall of Bomberman Online is Sega's new plans that makes you pay for a 10 dollar per month SegaNet account in order to actually compete via the Internet, so don't buy the game thinking you can use your current ISP.
-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele
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