Quick Review: Wizorb

Wizorb is a Breakout style game developed by Tribute Games. Originally, it didn't interest me very much because hey, I can play breakout online, those games are a dime a dozen, right? My opinion changed, however, when I saw a Let's Play of the earlier levels online.

Wizorb takes standard Breakout style game elements and mixes them quite beautifully with RPG elements of all things. Yes, you still smash blocks with a ball and a paddle, but now you can cast spells, enchant your ball, and even fight enemies and bosses. If I had heard that idea without seeing the game in action, I probably would have said it was awful and didn't make a whole lot of sense. Wizorb would have proved me wrong though.

In Wizorb, you are a wizard tasked with saving the Kingdom of Gorudo from the monsters that inhabit it. To do this, you must battle evil with your magic wand and orb (paddle and ball), and help the citizens of the kingdom rebuild by spending your points on renovating a town. Wizorb takes you through five classic RPG locals, from a small town to the mysterious netherworld. Along the way you fight equally classic enemies, such as slimes, flying eyes, and skeleton warriors. (And their giant boss counterparts)

An example of a giant boss enemy.

The game doesn't add many new power ups to the classic breakout formula, instead opting to give your character two spells: a fireball and a wind spell. These can be used to both enchant your ball and effect the level itself. Fireball will hurt enemies and destroy blocks just like a ball would, and enchanting your ball with it will enable it to cleave through massive lines of blocks with ease. The wind spell can change the left-right direction the ball is traveling in, and enchanting your ball with it lets you steer the ball with your mouse.

An example of totally stacked power ups. (Magnetic paddle, double damage and extra balls)

All in all, Wizorb is a really fun, decently lengthy and challenging experience. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys breakout style games, as this is a welcome departure from the stale experience that most of them give. It's cheap, too, coming in at 2.99$ US on Steam, Desura and the App Store.

Sorry if this review is badly written, I'm a bit rusty. Hopefully I'll get back into full swing soon.

Wizorb can be read about and purchased here:  http://wizorb.com/