2 for 1 Bubble Blaster

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It can also make you a quick bob or two if you're devoid of any ideas of your own.

In truth, the inspiration behind Zed's latest 2 for 1 pack – which comprises BlastBlox and Bubble Boom Challenge – might be easy for all to see, but that's not to say they don't sport the odd innovation or two of their own.

Some work better than others, however.

Puzzling play

The worst offender of the two, as spotted by Pocket Gamer's Jon Mundy back in his original review, is Bubble Boom Challenge, which takes the match-three model popularised by Zuma, Puzz Loop, and co. and gives it a bit of an unsatisfying shake-up.

The premise is to match-up coloured bubbles falling from the sky with those snaking around a track at the bottom of the screen before they run out of line.

The problem is, Bubble Boom Challenge's gameplay is nowhere near as satisfying as the games it attempts to ape.

"While Zuma gave you a satisfying 360 degree-firing shooter with which to place your bauble, Bubble Boom Challenge swaps it out for a rather crude block-dropping method," said Mundy back in 2009.

"Coloured bubbles drop from the sky, requiring you to steer them into place before they drop off the screen. Problem is, it inhibits play to an irritating degree.

"With the gamefield twisting and turning this way and that, such a gravity-based mechanic feels stifling and out of place, causing annoyance as you miss out on simple shots through sheer unfortunate timing."

Block party

BoomBlox, which is more closely related to Tetris, is far more successful in its effort to bring something fresh to an age old formula.

The aim of the game is to flood a gauge at the bottom of BoomBlox's grid with water. This involves taking control of a series of blocks that fall from the top of the screen – some filled with bombs, some aflame, and some saturated with the beautiful blue stuff itself.

The formula behind it all is logcial enough: bombs turn blocks into wood, which you can then set alight with the flames and douse with the water. Said liquid flows out of the stage and straight into your gauge.

It's an approach that, as I explained in my original review, causes you to engage your brain in quick time as the blocks start to fall relentlessly.

"Throughout the process, getting the right squares touching each other is fairly fundamental, with wooden blocks catching fire if their neighbour happens to be burning, and water putting out flames in abundance if the squares are all in one area," I said back in June 2010.

"Never swayed by luck, its challenge – though admittedly bizarre and unashamedly one-dimensional – is one that values sheer brain power over good fortune."

Packaged together, one of 2 for 1 Bubble Blaster's titles is undoubtedly stronger than the other.

Neither, however, is anything short of competent, and despite their familiarity the sheer value of the 2 for 1 deal makes it hard to argue with.

2 for 1 Bubble Blaster

With subtle twists on established puzzlers, 2 for 1 Bubble Blaster is a solid enough package for those looking for an old skool challenge with fresh appeal
Score
Keith Andrew
Keith Andrew
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font. He's also Pocket Gamer's resident football gaming expert and, thanks to his work on PG.biz, monitors the market share of all mobile OSes on a daily basis.