Bombslinger | Xbox One Review
It starts with the opening music. Bombslinger brings a retro feel right from the beginning. This roguelike game from Mode4 is set in the cowboy days of the Old West. Get ready to lay back on the couch and have a good time. You are McMean, the Bombslinger.
Ye Olde Western Tale
McMean was the leader of a gang of bank robbers until he met his future wife. All he wanted was to settle down at his ranch, but the rest of the gang didn’t take kindly to his leaving. They burned his ranch down with Mrs. McMean inside. Avenge your bride in the single player Adventure mode. Start at your homestead, bomb your way through randomly generated maps, blowing up enemies and obstacles like cacti and fire. At first, you only have your trusty bombs to help you, but you can unlock new items through achievements and in-game chests. Earn more items with every playthrough, allowing you to add more health, bombs and power at the start of each game. Pick up shotguns, nuclear bombs and other weapons along the way to defeat pitchfork-wielding pioneers, gun toting law enforcement, and even your former crew. All the while making sure not to blow yourself up, of course.
In the mood for multiplayer? Sit down with friends and family and duke it out in battle mode. Whether you want to play deathmatch or last man standing, Bombslinger nails the couch gaming experience. In deathmatch, players race to achieve a set number of frags. There are plenty of power-ups to earn adding bombs and firepower for your character. The intensity grows as the number of bombs and explosions increase. Obstacles reset on screen making sure no one gets a distinct advantage and there are plenty of power-ups to go around.
In last man standing, take out all your opponents and be the sole surviving bombslinger. Everyone has the same health and only one life. These are less intense and quicker games than death match. Both modes offer 13 maps, each one providing a little different strategy, upping the replay value of the game overall.
That Old-School Fun
The graphics have a 16- or 32-bit feel that fits perfectly with the game, but they aren’t meant to blow you away. It puts the focus on the fun of the game and playing on the couch with friends. The music adds to the ambience with a western/rock electric guitar style, although you may never notice it over everyone yelling at the television. The controls are smoother than games of that era, but they are also unforgiving (good luck not blowing yourself up).
The single player mode provides a good challenge, but is a little short. The best part of this game, however, is sitting and playing on the couch again and again. In an era where game worlds are getting larger and more complicated, Mode4 and Bombslinger keep it simple and fun. If this appeals to you the way it does to me, you will get your money’s worth.
This review is based of of an Xbox One review copy provided by Mode4 and Stride PR for coverage purposes.
Bombslinger
$11.99
Pros
- Fun Multiplayer
- Challenging Campaign
Cons
- Short Campaign
