A NintendoFuse game review by hattrick.
Game – De Blob 2
Version – Nintendo DS
Obtained – Review copy from THQ
While there may be a lack of colorful games on some consoles, Nintendo usually has its share of bright colorful games. De Blob 2 is just that. In fact, your primary goal is to bring color back to a black and white world. Interestingly enough, this is a multi-platform sequel to the Nintendo-exclusive De Blob. With an abundance of 2D puzzle and action-driven side-scrolling titles for Nintendo DS, does De Blob 2 have what it takes to make a splash?
Story & Plot
The main story is focused on the return of Comrade Black and his Inkies. They have a brand new plan to rid the world of color. This time, they will team up with Papa Blanc and his followers, the Blancs. You control Blob, as he rolls and hops through each world, saving Raydians, painting each stage, and finding all the musical notes. Your overall goal is to save the world from a colorless destruction.
The plot is simple enough, and honestly, it does not matter to the progress of the game. In fact, after just a few “cut scenes” of text, you will be wishing you could skip past them. You can, but only after you completed it at least once. Luckily, they are not very long. Overall, you start each stage with no color, and your goal is to make it to the end. The story is as relevant as a story in Super Mario Bros. If you are all about collecting things, then there is definitely an element for you. If you just want to speed run through each level, you can do that as well.
Visuals & Sound
De Blob 2 is definitely a great looking Nintendo DS game. While it does not overcomplicate with many detailed elements, it does many things well. There is a degree of precision given to even the background. The shadows give a sense of 3D in the 2D world. As you bring color back to the world, you will encounter some puzzles that will need you to mix colors. Combinations of red, blue, yellow, orange, green, and brown look great on the Nintendo DS screen, which is exactly the types of colors for which this system was designed.
The sound track is also quite catchy. Even though the storyline is a dim one, until Blob comes along to add color, the music is fun and you might even catch yourself dancing a bit. It sounds like a combination of older TV detective shows and elevator-music, which is actually not bad. The sound effects are repetitive, but you almost expect that from a Nintendo DS title. All the while, it does not really get old or annoying.
Gameplay & Controls
As stated earlier, your main goal is to get from the start of each level to the end. Do this by jumping, rolling, and smashing your way through each stage. Along the way, you can rescue the Raydians and collect music notes, but they are not always essential to complete the level. If you lose some life, just be sure to hit one of the many paint switches. In fact, you will find it difficult to completely die. By keeping it simple, it is easy for most people to pick up De Blob 2 and enjoy it right away.
The controls are also simple and concise. You will move Blob with the control pad and jump with the A button. While in the air, Blob has two other moves. He can attack with a homing Sonic-like spin attack when you hit the A button, or he can perform a more powerful non-homing smash when you hit the B button. That is about as basic as you can get, and it works great for this game.
In addition to button controls, if you have a Nintendo DSi, you can also enjoy additional mini-games after some stages. If you collect the camera in that stage, you will be asked to take photos of different colors to complete the task. It starts off with trying to find two colors, but eventually adds more. While this is not a major bonus for Nintendo DSi owners, it is a nice feature. Just make sure you play in decently lit rooms, and try not to alarm anyone if you play in a public place. Most will not realize you are only trying to find colors to complete your video game.
Concluding Overall Impressions
De Blob 2 is certainly made for younger audiences, as it is simple and even teaches basic color science. However, there is enough depth to keep anyone entertained. With the only downsides being the simplicity and overall length, it is hard not to recommend this title for anyone with a Nintendo DS.
FINAL SCORE – 4 out of 5
Watch below, as I play through the first stage of De Blob 2 for Nintendo DS.
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