Marble Blast Ultra
Posted February 22, 2006
If you needed further proof that the Xbox Live Arcade is something else that Microsoft has done right with the Xbox 360, look no further than adding Marble Blast Ultra to your arcade list. Developed by Garage Games, Marble Blast has been available online in multiple forms for quite some time, but never has it looked this good. While the game may immediately remind players of other classic "roller" games like Super Monkey Ball or Marble Madness, it's setting itself apart by taking full advantage of multiplayer support over Xbox Live.
Gameplay:
If you've played, well almost anything that requires individual freedom of movement and camera, you'll feel right at home with the easy to use yet powerful controls. The left stick is used for basic movement, while the right controls the camera. You will need to become very adept at using both sticks at the same because as you progress through the levels there will be times when the quick flip of your camera will make all the difference in completing a course under par. Three other buttons are also active for your use, one controls the currently selected powerup, another performs a small jump and the third will execute the infamous Marble Blast, which can be used for either a boost to your jump, or for knocking players out of the way in the fun multiplayer mode.
The single player campaign is set up to span sixty levels, grouped into three sequences which increase the difficulty level as you progress. The first twenty levels are used basically as an introduction to the basic control mechanisms and to some of the powerups you'll need to use to make it through the rest of the levels. The Intermediate levels range from all out speed challenges like my personal favorite Black Diamond (level 38) to some very tough climbing challenges which pit you against not only icy paths, but fans and pinball bumpers to throw you even more off kilter. The advanced levels are a series of very difficult platforming and marble manipulation challenges which are sure to test the mettle of even the most hardened player.
The biggest thing that makes this title very worth the 800 Marketplace Points is the online multiplayer. Sure the options are quite limited to a single game type, but with ten different levels that range from tiny to huge, collecting the gems and blasting other marbles doesn't seem to get too old too quickly. In each attempt to connect to an online game, I was greeted with a very quick game search time and an almost immediate load time putting me into the middle of the action with no time to sit back and survey the scene.
GarageGames managed to spread out the 200 achievement points here and they actually make it mean something when you earn some of those achievements. A couple are spread out into the online realm where you'll need to collect 2000 gems over your multiplayer lifetime, come in first place in an online game, and collect 75 of the shiny little items in a single game. I tried to exploit the game by creating a game with no other players guaranteeing me first place and 75+ gems, but the game was smart enough to realize my ruse denying me of my cheapened points. Single player achievement points are equally as well deserved, especially for finishing the all of advanced levels under the par time.
Graphics:
MBU looks much better than it should. I mean when you think of a game this simple and taking up a mere 30ish Mb on your hard drive, it should not be loaded with real time reflections off your marble or high resolution textures. MBU offers over 30 marble looks to help you customize your game, ranging from the classic marble textures we knew as kids to the old standard 8-ball.
Audio:
Again being a simple arcade game I didn't have very high expectations when it came to the audio portion of Marble Blast Ultra. The in game music consists of a electronic techno beat which helps amplify the sense of urgency in the game. Nothing better than some fast pace music to force you to go too fast causing you to miss a tight turn or a short jump. One thing that actually had me chuckling throughout the game was the slight accent (or what I perceived to be an accent) on the announcer when you pick up power ups. She pronounces her words as if she'd been living in Boston her entire life, not that it's a bad thing, but to hear her holler "Supa Speed" time and time again kept me giggling while playing (sorry to the online players who had to deal with my guffaws.)
Conclusion:
Playing through the beginner levels gives you a sense that this game might not be worth the 800 points because of the ease and speed which you'll blow through them, but make it to the advanced difficulty and you'll be swearing and tossing controllers. But after you clear the games single player levels, is there much reason to play it if you're not online? Aside from trying to beat your old time for a given course, I sadly don't see much the single player can offer for those looking for high replay value. The multiplayer option does offer a nice pop-in and play atmosphere with no major time commitment necessary which adds dramatically to the "bang for the point". Recommended.
Gameplay:
If you've played, well almost anything that requires individual freedom of movement and camera, you'll feel right at home with the easy to use yet powerful controls. The left stick is used for basic movement, while the right controls the camera. You will need to become very adept at using both sticks at the same because as you progress through the levels there will be times when the quick flip of your camera will make all the difference in completing a course under par. Three other buttons are also active for your use, one controls the currently selected powerup, another performs a small jump and the third will execute the infamous Marble Blast, which can be used for either a boost to your jump, or for knocking players out of the way in the fun multiplayer mode.
The single player campaign is set up to span sixty levels, grouped into three sequences which increase the difficulty level as you progress. The first twenty levels are used basically as an introduction to the basic control mechanisms and to some of the powerups you'll need to use to make it through the rest of the levels. The Intermediate levels range from all out speed challenges like my personal favorite Black Diamond (level 38) to some very tough climbing challenges which pit you against not only icy paths, but fans and pinball bumpers to throw you even more off kilter. The advanced levels are a series of very difficult platforming and marble manipulation challenges which are sure to test the mettle of even the most hardened player.
The biggest thing that makes this title very worth the 800 Marketplace Points is the online multiplayer. Sure the options are quite limited to a single game type, but with ten different levels that range from tiny to huge, collecting the gems and blasting other marbles doesn't seem to get too old too quickly. In each attempt to connect to an online game, I was greeted with a very quick game search time and an almost immediate load time putting me into the middle of the action with no time to sit back and survey the scene.
GarageGames managed to spread out the 200 achievement points here and they actually make it mean something when you earn some of those achievements. A couple are spread out into the online realm where you'll need to collect 2000 gems over your multiplayer lifetime, come in first place in an online game, and collect 75 of the shiny little items in a single game. I tried to exploit the game by creating a game with no other players guaranteeing me first place and 75+ gems, but the game was smart enough to realize my ruse denying me of my cheapened points. Single player achievement points are equally as well deserved, especially for finishing the all of advanced levels under the par time.
Graphics:
MBU looks much better than it should. I mean when you think of a game this simple and taking up a mere 30ish Mb on your hard drive, it should not be loaded with real time reflections off your marble or high resolution textures. MBU offers over 30 marble looks to help you customize your game, ranging from the classic marble textures we knew as kids to the old standard 8-ball.
Audio:
Again being a simple arcade game I didn't have very high expectations when it came to the audio portion of Marble Blast Ultra. The in game music consists of a electronic techno beat which helps amplify the sense of urgency in the game. Nothing better than some fast pace music to force you to go too fast causing you to miss a tight turn or a short jump. One thing that actually had me chuckling throughout the game was the slight accent (or what I perceived to be an accent) on the announcer when you pick up power ups. She pronounces her words as if she'd been living in Boston her entire life, not that it's a bad thing, but to hear her holler "Supa Speed" time and time again kept me giggling while playing (sorry to the online players who had to deal with my guffaws.)
Conclusion:
Playing through the beginner levels gives you a sense that this game might not be worth the 800 points because of the ease and speed which you'll blow through them, but make it to the advanced difficulty and you'll be swearing and tossing controllers. But after you clear the games single player levels, is there much reason to play it if you're not online? Aside from trying to beat your old time for a given course, I sadly don't see much the single player can offer for those looking for high replay value. The multiplayer option does offer a nice pop-in and play atmosphere with no major time commitment necessary which adds dramatically to the "bang for the point". Recommended.