Shatter: Breakout Was Never This Much Fun (just a few images)

[Occulus]

Happily we dismiss our blocky overlords

From the days of the Atari 2600 and 5200, Breakout-style games have been a classic. Who needs platforms to jump on, mushrooms to grab, or coins to collect? Just. Clear. The board. Such is Shatter, a new and eye-catching entry from Sidhe.

What is Shatter?

Shatter is a Breakout game. Bust the blocks, get points. It's just that simple. What sets Shatter apart is its construction and its execution: blocks move organically, the ball is controllable, and there are powerups to collect. Shatter even has bosses, something unheard-of in bygone days. It's a simple, elegant game that breaks new ground (pun intended) in this classic genre.


Shatter will have you running in circles

So what's the big deal? It's Breakout on acid.

Oh, but it's so much more. Shatter is way, way more fun than it has any right to be. For one thing, the ball your bat (as the game calls it) fires can be controlled to an extent: press the left mouse button, and objects (such as the ball and the fragments you've created by shattering blocks) move toward you; press the right mouse button and those objects move away. Shift creates a shield and, if you've collected enough fragments with the left mouse button, the control key spews forth an unstoppable rage of bullets that destroy everything in their path.


This boss will give you extra lives so you can beat it

I'm intrigued. Is there more to this?

Indeed. Shatter includes boss fights, powerups, and bonus levels that will challenge your timing, patience, and coordination. The boss pictured above actually delivers extra lives just so you can defeat it. Other powerups double the fragments delivered by destroying blocks (which are used to power your shield and use special attacks), some make your ball unstoppable, and more. Combine all of this with an in-game physics engine and keyframe-animated brick setups, and you have a recipe for a- pardon the pun- smash hit.

Shatter is currently available for $9.99 on Valve's Steam game distribution platform. Just go to www.steampowered.com, create a free Steam account, and grab this colorful, fast-paced, and entertaining re-imagining of the vintage brickbreaking classic!

[Systematic Chaos]

1. This game really is freaking awesome. We have it on PS3.

One thing though. I guess this means I'll forever have a juvenile mind, but when they keep talking about "blowing" and "sucking" action on the balls, I can't quit giggling. :silly: