Preview: Boom Blox

Ever since EA announced they were working with Stephen Spielberg to produce a game we’ve waited to hear the tale. What swashbuckling tale of triumph and visual spectacle could Spielberg and the power structure at EA come up with? Then not too long ago the first project was announced and it left us shaking our heads in bewilderment. Boom Blox is not the first concept you think of when Spielberg is attached to a project.




But here’s the secret of Boom Blox: the core concept is golden. The purpose of the game is to allow families and groups in general gather to have fun. This is where the game will shine. Rather than involving disinterested wives and children in epic interactive narrative, Boom Blox instead focuses on short bursts of gameplay. Plus Spielberg is right; people do enjoy knocking things over.

As a game you may find Boom Blox a bit simple. There are blocks arranged on the screen and your purpose is to knock them down. It’s like a game of exploding Jenga, only you don’t run the risk of losing a hand. The game is simple in design, with charming characters and a low barrier for entry. Your little nephew will probably be able to figure out how to play.

The real genius of the game is its versatility. While the gameplay may be simple, there’s much depth to explore as a hard core gamer. The level editor is formatted to give players a wide range of options, and the potential for fun is limitless. How many Halo fans immediately began placing fusion cores all over each map in Halo 3. That’s the point of Boom Blox, to make the craziest contrivances your mind can conjure up and then blow them up.