Shellblast was originally given away on the 20th Nov 07 and again back in August 2008 then again July of last year. The first time it was given away it received a 67% thumbs up with 60 comments and then only 32% with 38 comments and then 31% with 38 comments; (though these low figures could have been partly to do with the vacation period). Today’s version is the same version as last years game, though it has been updated from previous versions prior to last year. (from v1.3 to v1.31) The game now comes with an installer, so you can install the game with just a few mouse clicks and get a shortcut on the desktop though there’s none in the start menu (I've explained how you can create one if you prefer start menu shortcuts below).
The downloaded zip file is 22Mb which unpacks to a dual set up and activation module and a read me. The installed game is 22.2Mb in size. The game installs to
C:\Program Files\ShellBlast 1.31 (unless your O.S. is installed to a different drive)
You can see all previous comments by clicking on the appropriate dates:
Introduction:
ShellBlast is the sequel to the freeware games Acidbomb and Acidbomb 2, both of which are still freely available from Vertigo’s web site (you can find links via G"rgoyles free games synopsis. I’ve included links to both at the end of the review (In the Alternative Games section, together with several other freeware games from the same author.
ShellBlast certainly looks like an intriguing game. The aim is to select and defuse bombs before they blow or be destroyed. You have six modes of play to choose from plus you are also able to create levels via the levels editor that comes integrated with this puzzle game. The following is a quote from Vertigo’s site:
The sequel to one of our most acclaimed puzzle games is back!The commercial sequel to Acidbomb (voted 1up.com's Best 101 Free Games and GameSpy's "Download This" pick of December 2007) and Acidbomb 2: Rearmed delivers a unique mind-bending action puzzle experience. Described as a cross between Minesweeper and Picross, ShellBlast is a game that offers something most puzzle games out there lack: a unique experience.
The objective of ShellBlast is simple: using a series of tools, defuse the bomb before it blows up. Of course, the further you progress, the more advanced the bombs get...This version is jam-packed with features never seen on both Acidbomb and Acidbomb 2: Rearmed. The full version includes the following modes:
Play the fifty-level campaign as you tour the world defusing bombs. From prank bombs to nuclear super weapons, this mode will give you the grand tour of what ShellBlast is all about.
Simulation Chamber
Choose from eighteen empty bomb shells and fill it to your specifications. Want a massive Biological bomb with a short timer? Or a small Oxidation bomb with plenty of extra helper tools like Chaff Grenades? You got it!
Blast Editor
Simulation Chamber too limiting for you? Build your own bomb from scratch using the editor or play custom levels built by others. Create the ultimate superweapon!
Endurance Mode
Take on this massive bomb one layer at a time. How many quadrants can you unlock?
Shell-Drop
A unique randomly generated bomb mode that puts you to the ultimate test. Can you beat the top ranking bomb solvers? This mode is almost a game in itself!
Puzzled
Take on the bomb from another angle...this time, using preset grids and an unlimited timer. Only true masterminds can solve the harder challenges...
Nuke
Team up with another agent working on the field to tackle one of the hardest bombs in the game!
Along with all these modes, ShellBlast carries a unique blend of game play, including always-randomized solutions to bombs in any mode (ensuring unlimited replay value!)
You can access the reference HERE - accessed 22nd July 09
The Game:
All in all I found this to be an entertaining puzzle, although the In Game music did get a little annoying after a while; the intro music is an exception though. It’s almost like one of those relaxation CD’s you can buy from your local store, and which is a total contrast to the ‘in game’ music. There’s actually quite a few music tracks included with this game, all in the ogg format. It should be possible to swap the intro music which IMO is a lot more pleasant with the initial in game music, by just swapping the files around from their respective files and renaming them. You could also convert your own favorite MP3’s (or other format’s) to the .ogg format using one of the many audio converters that have been given away. I’ve discussed changing the music files in more detail at the end of the review.
There are seven game modes which I’ve mentioned above via the quote from Vertigo’s web site; though the classic mode is the main gaming mode. It has over 50 levels to explore and the free play contains several mini games as well as a levels editor for making your own levels, which is extremely easy to use. Once you've made the level it's saved to a custom levels folder which you can access from within the games menu (via freeplay then select the level editor which then gives you access to your created levels). There's loads of combinations you can create with bombs from 3 to 40 pistons as well as select the type of bomb from several choices. you can also select different backgrounds and foregrounds and change the number of chaff grenades. There’s a forum (I’ve provided a link in the’ other useful information’ section below), where you can share these, though you’ll need your own ftp to upload the files to first. I use filefront for uploading most files. You can create a free account HERE
The graphics are unusual as well as colourful in the same was as ‘The Magic Blackboard’, ‘Bullet Candy’ or the freeware game Plasma Pong are. That is the colors seem to be phosphorescent in some way. (Maybe it’s my eyes) : lol:
The game is controlled by a combination of mouse and keyboard. To move the scanning beams use the arrow keys. Use the F2 key to see all the key bindings that are used in the game and if you want to scroll through the music selection you can hit the 7 and 8 key. There isn’t a help menu, however the game does provide a decent in game tutorial and story line, (though some may argue that point). You can read all the previous comments about this game by following the links I’ve provided above. Apart from my own comment (#11 from July 09, which I’ve basically repeated and expanded upon here) I’d recommend comments #27 by APR, #29 by Mapsking, #38 by Bovi all from the November 07 comments section (see link above to go to the Nov 07 comments).
Anyway I do like the look of this game and will be keeping it to explore further. I usually like games that come with level editors because they add so much more playability to a game. My children love them to and can spend most of their computer time designing their own levels. My son is particularly good at it now.
Video:
The following is a You Tube introduction to the game; it should give you a good idea as to what the game looks like when installed. Following that are some Googled images both of which should give you a great idea as to what the game looks like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmsT72WBvUw
Googled Images:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=Shellblast&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
Conclusion:
It’s a different sort of puzzle from what I’ve been playing recently. There’s an excellent array of different game modes, that give it a lot of re-playability. Don't let the basic graphics (though I think the opening screens are excellent), and the lack of a proper help file put you off this game. You may have to work at the game initially, but once you've mastered the controls and the concept, the game is very rewarding. There are some excellent puzzles to be found, and the ability to make your own levels as well as the number of game modes are an added bonus. You can share the levels you create with the community if you can upload them to an ftp (file transfer protocol - a place where you can store files online) then post the download link over on the ShellBlast forums (address mentioned in the other useful information below).
I wasn’t keen on this game the first time I played it, partly because it took me some time to work out how to actually play it; but thankfully I persevered. I was also intrigued by the levels editor, and have come to like the game quite a lot, though I've not played it in a while because there has been a glut of excellent games released this year and I'm struggling to keep on top :lol: If you like puzzles you’ll love this game. I’d give it a 7 out of 10 at the very least.
For those who miss today's giveaway; the two precursors to ShellBlast are available for free (see below for details and links), though they don’t contain all of the modes you get in ShellBlast.
Alternative Games:
Vertigo games are offering several games for free. Acid bomb and Acid bomb 2 which are precursors to today’s giveaway are a couple of them. Wizzard of Ozz actually posted some of the freeware Vertigo games last week as part of our ongoing free games for the weekdays project. You can find download links those games below:
You have to guide light using prisms (really!):
This game was recently upgraded and has been released as a commercial game for less than $5. The original version is still available as freeware though. I purchased the updated version and apart from some minor graphic enhancements I found little difference between the freeware and commenrcial version. You can also get the freeware version directly from the developer Vertigo
A great platformer.
The original version of Shellblast called Acidbomb[/b] and its sequel Acidbomb 2: Rearmed can be downloaded by clicking on their names. I’ve quoted the information found on the Vertigo gaming website for each of the games :
Acidbomb:
Acidbomb is a fifty level puzzle game where you must find the pistons used to trigger a bomb and defuse them before time runs out. There are many bombs scattered around the world, from biological bombs that have hair-sensitive triggers to napalm bombs that are exploding at the seams, to nuclear warheads that have challenged even the highest trained bomb disposal agent.Along with this game you get the Virtual Bomb Simulator which allows you to make your own bombs, and a mini-game called Acidrop that is completely different from the rest of the game...but you'll see that for yourself.
Given that all the bombs in the game have random pistons, you will never EVER solve a bomb the same way twice. Ever.
Acidbomb 2: Rearmed:
Acidbomb 2: Rearmed is the sequel to the acclaimed Acidbomb (noted by such sites as Gamespy.com and in the Top 100 Free Games of 2006 on 1up.com) that takes the original and gives it a complete overhaul. If you thought the first game was too easy or unbalanced...you’re in for a treat. This game is for the casual and hardcore puzzle fanatic alike.The objective: secure the world by defusing bombs from criminals and terrorists alike. As you crack down on this new and dangerous threat, the technology improves with both the Homeland Security team (new weapons) and the terrorists (new bomb types, such as Biological, Oxidation and more). We also have reason to believe that there are several nuclear bombs hidden in major public areas in the United States, Europe and Japan...and the clock is ticking...
With over fifty levels, unlockable content and mini-games and more, you’ll be busy fighting the terrorist threat for quite a while.
There are several more free games from the Vertigo site, which have been posted in the free games for the weekdays project, so I’m not going to mention them here
Other Useful Information:
Installation Issues:
The download size of 21.2Mb seems rather steep for such a simple looking game. However on investigating the games folder I found 66% of the size is actually an extensive music folder that contains around 15Mb of music files. I only query this because of the dial up users. It’s a shame that the music folder couldn’t be removed for the dial up users and a separate link created for them to use. :lol:, or the option to add your own music. When unpacked the game comes as a combined activation and set up module. The destination path can be changed by clicking on the path during the installation wizards procedure . There is no start menu shortcut installed. You can create one with an uninstaller link by following the instructions below:
Go to where you’ve installed the game (default is C:\Program files\Shellblast 1.31) and create a shortcut by right clicking on the games executable (which looks like a blue and black icon with Shell and Blast written on it) and selecting Create Shortcut. Repeat this with the uninstaller. Then create a new folder which you can rename to Shellblast v1.31 and then drag both of the shortcuts ionto that folder. Right click on the folder you created and select cut. Then go to your root directory (C:\) and click on Documents and Settings. Select the account you want to place the shortcut into. (You will have at least and Administrators folder and another named folder) You’ll have to repeat the following steps if you want shortcuts in all of your accounts start menus. Select whichever account you want and open up the folder. Click on the Start Menu folder, then right click on the Program folder and select paste. That will place the folder you originally created with the short cuts inside into the start menu. If you want to repeat the process with however many accounts you have created you’ll need to open up the programs folder and copy the folder you’ve just pasted. That’s it. You now have a Start menu shortcut for the game. You can even place a shortcut to the developer’s web site if you want. After creating a bookmark/favorite from the web site (you can find it at the top of today’s game giveaway) go into the favorites folder (via the Documents and Settings\account name\) and search for the appropriate internet shortcut and copy it over to the folder you created. Simple :lol:
As I’ve mentioned previously, it is always sensible to install programs such as these on a disc other than the boot disc, that is if you have more than one hard disc drive (HDD) or have created one or more logical drives from a single HDD (called partitioning). If you’re interested, see my notes in the comments section Click HERE to go to comment #12 for a full explanation.
Shellblast Forums:
There’s a useful forum Click HERE where you can post details of any levels you’ve created and request any help regarding the game:
Music:
If you don’t like the music you can replace any of the music tracks found by following the path below, (assuming you’ve installed it to the program files folder in the root directory – though, as mentioned in my main review, you are given the option to install it anywhere on your computer)
C:\program files\ShellBlast\newmusic\
You must first convert your chosen music to the .ogg format using one of the converters I’ve linked to below (or use one you may already have one as we’ve been given loads of audio converters via the main project). Then you have to re-name the track to the one you’ve decided to replace. I would suggest backing up any track you replace just in case there’s a problem; though if you’ve created a back up of the game it shouldn’t matter.
You can find several audio converters in the freeware library HERE and HERE that are accessible from the giveaway home page. I’ve linked to two that I’ve previously tested:
Registry:
I've now copied the file and checked it out on two other computers and found that the game is free standing, which means you can play it from a flash drive or a CD/DVD, or even transfer it from computer to computer and back it up. Nice one; thanks Vertigo games and the game giveaway team.
For those of you who like to keep a neat registry, I found 12 registry entries; all of which related to the downloaded zip file from the giveaway project and the link to the games web site. You can safely delete these if you’re a registry fanatic as they won’t affect the running of the game. I would also suggest if you’re going to make changes to the registry that you create a restore point, or a back up using a program such as Eaz-Fix, just in case you do delete something important by mistake. I’ve been cleaning my registry manually for years and have never caused any problems (that I know of, lol) with the running of any of my computers.
