Last year, Drinkbox Studios debuted Tales from Space: About a Blob on the PSN to (mostly) critical acclaim. Now, a year later, the developers have released the sequel Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack. This time, however, the downloadable title isn’t coming to PS3; it’s rounding out the PS Vita’s launch line-up.
This 2D side-scrolling puzzle-platformer stars an ever-growing blob that consumes everything in its path. This green, spotted, spiky blob takes center stage as the little guy gets, well, much less little. This time around zero gravity, jet-propelled flight and magnetic abilities play a part in the adventure from small beginnings to the new Godzilla.
Can the latest additions and tweaks build upon the core gameplay of its exceptional predecessor?
HOT
Addictive Gameplay
Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack sees a grumpy green blob venture through various levels, collecting random objects in order to increase in size Katamari-style. Obtaining these collections of items isn’t always so simple. That’s where the platforming and puzzle-solving comes into play. Things start off pretty basic with a wall jump here and there, but soon this gelatinous monster will be propelling through the air, avoiding deathtraps (primarily lasers and spikes) and magnetizing itself to countless purple-lined pipes. The Vita’s touch controls are even brought into the game’s puzzles. By touching green-lit platforms they can be moved along a pre-specified axis. Also, the rear touchpad can be utilized to activate boost when in flight mode. There are even entire levels, known as Titl-a-Blob, that require the player to tilt the handheld to directly control the blob’s movements. You’ll get to know these mechanics very well as you scour each level for items. As each objects is absorbed into the transparent creature, the blob grows larger as do the size of the objects that are consumed. The journey begins by sucking up school supplies, but not too long later the blob will be rolling through humans and knocking military choppers out of the sky. Gaining tons of weight has never been so satisfying.
Visuals
The Vita is an impressive piece of machinery and has the ability to crank out some impressive graphics. While Mutant Blobs Attack isn’t a graphical king, it is extremely vibrant and crisp. Watching dimly-lit students walk in the background as the blob navigates various shelves and books is already interesting for establishing perspective, but it is also a visual treat. The army bases and space ship are just as pleasing to navigate with their animated styles. Also, there’s the addition of cultural references littering the levels. A billboard cracks a joke about dysentery reminding us of those Oregon Trail days and one moment of gameplay is completely dedicated to Angry Birds. There’s much more to be found in there that will keep players smiling and even laughing.
Price
The Vita is an expensive system with the base model coming in at $249.99. That’s not taking into consideration the $30-$40 games and the overpriced memory cards (up to $99.99). That’s why Drinkbox deserves much praise right now. They’re selling this addictive title for only… wait for it… $7.99. A measly eight dollars grabs you one of the best Vita launch titles. It really doesn’t get much better than that.
NOT
Length
Although Mutant Blobs Attack contains more levels than About a Blob, it can all end after a few sessions. Rolling through the 24 levels can pass by rather quickly. However, this issue is somewhat remedied by the replay value that comes from trying to get gold in every level as well as finding all of the hidden blobs. So, I guess this isn’t too much of a problem after all, is it?
Verdict
Drinkbox Studios have outdone themselves. Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is an extraordinary and addicting portable title. This 2D side scrolling platformer and puzzle-solver brings a lot to the table at a very low price. That isn’t mentioning how wonderful it is just looking at the game even when it’s not in motion. While the gelatin-based journey may come to an end sooner than some may like, this game definitely stands up as one of the strongest Vita launch titles and deserves your purchase.
[Editor’s Note: Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack was reviewed on the Playstation Vita platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]