Review: Big Bang (Xbox Live)
Score:
83%
The Rabbids franchise (which is a spin-off from the Rayman series) has never fully established itself in popular culture in the same way as characters like the Angry Birds. It never had a signature genre of game, bouncing around various ideas from strategy and arcade, to puzzle and simulation. Released just before Christmas, the XBox live title Big Bang saw it take on interplanetary travel in a physics based game that mixes arcade reactions with puzzling depth.
Version Reviewed: 1.0.0.0
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The basis of the game is to guide a Rabbid as she (or he) through space, and achieve the goals set out for you. These could be collection-based (grabbing fuel pods or coins), location-based (land on another moon), or challenge-based (fly for 30 seconds, burn jetpack fuel for six seconds). These present a good mix of things to do, and help to keep Big Bang fresh and engaging for the player.
Neither are they easy challenges. What I immediately liked about Big Bang was the difficulty level. Once the initial 'this is how it all works' levels are passed, there is very little quarter given by the level designers. I like my games to actually challenge me, and not lead me quickly through thirty levels to the point where I need to make an in-app purchase. So Big Bang gets a thumbs-up from me in the gaming department.
It also gets a thumbs up for taking what could be a difficult concept with awkward controls into the realms of 'single touch' controls. Your Rabbid is thrown into orbit around the mother planet (because that's what it is) through the use of a baseball bat held by another Rabbid. You set the direction of that first impetus, the bat is swung, and up into the sky you go.
Unlike Angry Birds Space (which at least shares the environment, if not the nature of the puzzles, with Big Bang), you have a single Rabbid to carry out your task. One shot, one attempt, and if you fail you start again. Luckily you can keep trying each level over and over again with no penalty.
The only control you do have is with your jetpack. Tap on the screen, and the engine fires. This will add to your velocity in the direction you are facing, so you have the ability to alter your orbit around the planets. Naturally this needs some pretty smart physics to take into account the interplay between speed, direction and the gravity wells. Just because you point towards something and light the engines doesn't mean you'll get there straight away - there are times when you want to thrust away from your target to slingshot around the planet and climb towards your goal on the next turn around the planet.
It's all so very fascinating, and I suspect it's not as accessible for others as it is for a space-travel-nut such as myself. There are lots of answers to celestial flight, and lots of answers makes for a good puzzle game.
I also like that you don't have to worry about spinning your Rabbid around to align the jetpack in the right direction. Your Rabbid spins at a constant rate, so all you need to do is wait till she's pointing in the required direction before lighting that booster. Simple, effective, and makes the control system a friendly one to use, which is important for this casual game.
It all stays clear as well, thanks to the cartoon graphics on show. While the Rabbids might not have had consistent success in the past, they have had a consistent look and the art department has been able to use that strong foundation to create a clear looking set of in-game graphics, as well as menus and options that also fit with the look.
There is a small element of freemium in the game. As you play through the levels you can collect coins which can be used to improve both your jetpack and the initial batting into orbit. If you want to boost yourself a little bit faster, then you can purchase more coins with the IAP system. It's not that generous - the 500 coins for £1.50 would give you enough coins for three or four boosts on the bat and hardware - but thankfully the game allows you many opportunities to gain enough coins.
It feels like the coin purchases are for 'whale' players, who are happy to buy big and get everything straight away - everyone else I suspect will be happy to grind through the levels, and it should be noted that you can still clear the later levels with the lower power accessories, you just need to be a touch more accurate. If you max out the awards on each level, and advance your equipment equally, then everything is possible (at least it is so far in my playing experience).
Oh yes, you have the typical 'up to three stars' awards per level, in this case represented by glowing rabbits. These are awarded purely on a time basis, so the faster you can complete the level requirements, the more coins you will earn, up to 100 coins (so yes, finishing five levels is the same as the lowest IAP level, which gives the freemium a bit more context). You have the countdown timer on-screen, so you can see your 'three Rabbid level' quickly disappearing as you play through the game. Given there are moments where you simply need to wait until the right time to change your orbit with your jetpack, this is frustrating and wonderful at the same time.
I loved the concept and game mechanics of Big Bang when I first played it just before Christmas, and my time with the game since then has increased my appreciation of the title. No, it's not for everybody, it can be frustrating and orbital mechanics is not as easy a concept to grab as 'lob a bird at a wall', but if you stick with it you'll find an engrossing game that offers something different to the run of the mill puzzle game you might have expected.
Reviewed by Ewan Spence at