Blast Corps
Reviewed by Bryan Tran
Blast Corps was developed by Rare for the N64 and can use the
controller pak but there is no support for the rumble pak. Although
very little was known about the game during its early development,
Blast Corps instantly became a hit with many types of gamers. This
is mainly because the game is very addictive. The reason for this:
your mission is to destroy EVERYTHING! Actually, the game is a little
bit more complicated than that.
Graphics 9 out of 10
The graphics in Blast Corps are absolutely amazing, as with every
Rare game. Blast Corps has crisp, smooth, polygonal environments
that can be viewed from different overhead angles. The buildings
collapse with great animation, and explode with extreme detail from
the exploding debris to the fleeing survivors. The introduction sequences
were also very well detailed, from the lights in the windows of the
buildings, to the skid marks made from the Backlash.
Music and Sound 9 out of 10
The sounds in Blast Corps are truly amazing. From the loud explosions
to the soft hum and whir of the J-Bomb's jetpacks, Rare really put
some emphasis on the sound in this game. The music in the levels just
seem to fit, and I find myself going back to play levels just to listen
to the music. The voices were also very well done, and sounded very
realistic. I also notice that the sound is very loud. Even if you put the
television volume low, it is still loud. The vehicle sounds were a good
addition, from the police car's siren to the Backlash's skidding.
Game Challenge 10 out of 10
Blast Corps is a very challenging game, with so many secrets and
different things to do, Blast Corps will keep you busy for months.
The Platinum times are the hardest thing to get in this game, as you
can get Platinum medals in every level. I, so far only have 12 Platinum
medals, and I have quite a lot to go, being there are 50+ levels in the
game, including all the planets. Overall, the challenge factor in Blast
Corps is very, very high.
Game Play-Fun 9.5 out of 10
The found that the Blast Corps game is really fun. There are so many
secrets to be found, and with the scientist that you have to find,
that makes the game a lot more fun. The funniest level I found are the
Pac-Man type levels. There are also many bonus races, with short-cuts
and secrets even in these. For some reason, 1 level in Blast Corps is
about as much fun as you would get with a whole Cruis'n USA game.
Also, the many different vehicles makes the game a bit more
complicated and a lot more fun.
Frustration
The only thing frustrating I found with Blast Corps is with the "bird's
eye view." There is no way you can not have the view overhead. This I
found frustrating. I also find frustrating are the different camera angles.
They are not that confusing, but sometimes you have to play around with
it because the buildings obstruct your view, and once I made it even worse.
Another thing frustration is that the levels all of a sudden go from easy,
to extremely HARD! But that's about all I found frustrating with Blast Corps.
Replayability 9 out of 10
The re-play value for this game is very high. Why Because it's so much
fun and a bit frustrating to keep playing the same level over and over
until you get the Platinum medal. Also, after playing a race, if you go
and try it again, a race course ghost will show up just like in Mario
Kart. This represents you in your best race. I find myself playing Blast
Corps until 2 am in the morning on a school night. Just trying to beat
the level one last time, which becomes 5 last times, then becomes 15
last times, etc.
Game Value 9 out of 10
I think that Blast Corps is definitely worth its price. That's because
of all the secrets to be found and all the different tasks there are,
from trying to find a scientist, to trying to clear the runway for a space
shuttle. Also, the great detail in the graphics and the sound makes the
game a lot better. The Platinum levels were also a good addition, making
gamers play for a long, long time before getting all the platinum medals.
Overall 9.5 out of 10
All in all, Blast Corps is a highly addictive game, and I think that every
N64 owner should have their own copy of Blast Corps. If you don't have
the money, at least give it a whirl on a rental.