From Majesco Games, creators of previously reviewed game Maximum Chase, comes Blowout. Blowout is a side scrolling action game in which you assume the role of Major John “Dutch” Cane and attempt to clear a space port that has been overrun by aliens and mutants. In true old school fashion Blowout plays much like a game we all know and love, Contra. Is the world ready for another Contra title, and can Majesco recreate the same intense action we all remember from Konami classic?

Gameplay

The game begins just after Major John “Dutch” Cane boards the space port they are investigating and, is notified by his partner aboard his docked vessel that there are no human life signs. Your job then is to navigate your way though the space port and blow the ship, destroying all alien and mutant life aboard it, as well possibly your own. The game plays in classic side scrolling method with a twist; unlike Contra games you are given the freedom to not only go sideways but up and down also. Armed with numerous weapons and a jetpack you must now battle you way through 10 levels, numerous bosses, and floods of enemies.

The guns in Blowout are what it is all about, packing up to 8 weapons; a machine gun, mini gun, shotgun, flamethrower, nail gun, grenade launcher, rocket launcher and the super weapon, the sonic cannon. You begin with the standard machine gun and soon after find and unlock better weapons as you progress through the levels. Different weapons will of course better help you in different situations, such as using machine guns to stop the automated defense systems, sonic cannons to clear long hallways and grenade launchers to clear holes you will soon be dropping down. Above the standard use of weapons to plow down column of aliens and mutants, weapon fire can also be used to open secret areas of them game with no obvious entrance on map, or no location on the map at all.

The levels in Blowout are nicely detailed, though they are highly repetitive. Large in size they feature numerous hidden locations accessible by blasting down walls, ceilings and the platform below you. While not on the map, hidden locations are often a good source of powerups, shields, health etc. finding them can be the deciding factor in your life or death. Navigating the levels is not just a matter of getting from point A to B, throughout the level you must locate and recover 3 key cards, as well as locate the terminals that allow for the blast doors on each level to be opened. Blowout takes the simple side scrolling game and expands on it by giving the player freedom of movement as well objectives to complete along the way; no longer are you stuck just proceeding forward or simply moving left or right.

Littering the expansive levels of Blowout is the variety of aliens and mutants; from flying mutated wasps to giant sized boss aliens. With your arsenal of weapons you are too battle through these creatures wave after wave. A unique part of Blowout is the fact that you are almost never 100% safe, enemies’ can and will often spawn behind you, making a location you previously cleared no longer safe. Not only may they spawn behind you, but those that do locate you will pursue you, often to your death or their own. Blowout features a total of 14 different mutants and aliens spread out over 10 levels, while about each level introduces a new alien you fight in a normal capacity, each level contains a boss, or numerous bosses that must be defeated to progress. As in Contra fashion your character no longer faces left or right, but instead faces away from the screen and fights the boss in front of them.

Control / Playability 

In standard old school fashion the controls in Blowout are simple and allow for you to quickly get around levels and destroy all that stand in your way. The game in total actually uses 4 buttons you need and the rest play support roles, such as scrolling backwards through your weapon list or the action button to call an elevator occasionally or hit a terminal. The controls in Blowout should take 5 minutes at the most to get used to and 10 at most to master, simple and direct. Below is a simple run down of each button and what it does:

  • R Trigger: Fire Weapon
  • L Trigger: Jump Jets
  • A Button: Action
  • B Button: Next Weapon
  • Y Button: Previous Weapon
  • Right Analogue: Aim Weapon
  • Left Analogue: Movement
  • White Button: Map
  • D-Pad Up: Elevator Up
  • D-Pad Down: Elevator Down

Graphics / Presentation

The graphics in Blowout are simply amazing and alot better then I had expected for a side scrolling title. Your character of “Dutch” Cane is nicely detailed, as you can even notice him smoking a cigar, though it is only noticeable when you begin a level or other moments when the camera zooms in close. In addition to the character of Dutch, the enemies are also nicely detailed with original designs based on actual creatures such as wasps and piranhas, with other original designs making up the aliens and bosses. One of the most common, and easy to destroy enemies is the Swarm Bug which travels in packs, the impressive thing about the Swarm Bug is the 3D effect it has as you tear through them, watching as some of them come flying at the screen. All of the characters, bosses and enemies are modeled in full 3D, a great step up and look to normal 2D side scrollers.

Audio 

While I always enjoy being able to hear my character, this is one time it wasn’t really needed. The voice acting in Blowout is poorly done for the main character of Dutch, giving him a foolish and unoriginal personality. The voice of your partner and navigator was however well done, not only was his lines not repetitive but the effect of talking through a headset or other communication device is evident as he cuts off with a realistic sound effect. As for other sounds in the game, they are neither memorable nor badly done. Most of the aliens and mutants in the game die with the same effect; however the explosions are nicely done, and they do happen quite often as you tear the massive levels apart. The highlight of the audio is the ambiance which does a wonderful job in creating a creepy space port sound, complete with banging sounds in the distance and the occasional howling gust of wind that comes from nowhere.

Replay Value 

Unfortunately there is very little replay value to Blowout that I found apparent. Once the game is defeated you may wish to play through it once last time in an attempt to discover the hidden location that are not visible on the map, or to play the levels you like most. The repetitive design of the levels however leaves very little reason to prefer one over the other. Once I completed the game I was almost praying to unlock what this game needed most, a two player mode; unfortunately I am guessing the ability to travel up as well as left and right can create messy situations in levels as large as these, and as flooded with enemies. 

Additional Comments

Majesco Games has taken a normally 2D style of playing and given it improved graphics with 3D character models and, objective based game play that only build upon the wonderful roots of titles like Contra. While I think it desperately needed more levels and a two player mode, for the price you pay the game is more then worth it. Currently available for as low as 9.99$ and upon first hitting retail store at 20$ the title is a great buy and offers loads of game play value. Fans of titles like Contra and the old side scrolling days will more then appreciate a new take on their favorite type of game; the added freedom, 3D models, secret areas and numerous weapons all blended nicely to create a wonderful experience for the price. I definitely recommend Blowout for any old school fan with 10$ to spare.

Overall Score 

Overall Score: 8.0/10 [Not an Average]

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