Developed by Tribute Games
Released for XBLIG (9/2011)
Also on iOS/Linux/Macintosh/Ouya/PC/PSP
Wizorb is a BreakOut-style game where you control a paddle at the bottom of the screen and bounce a ball upwards in order to eliminate all the blocks. Wizorb features some of the best pixel-art I've seen on XBLIG, and the overall aesthetic gives the game an authentic 16-bit feel with just about every detail. The game takes some inspiration from RPG titles, early on it features a town you can explore and speak with the local folk. While speaking with the people, you'll see that everyone's homes have been destroyed and they are seeking a donation from you to help rebuild. Donating and helping them rebuild their homes can get you some nice perks for your character. Once you leave the town, you have an overworld map featuring five different worlds, each packed with twelve levels and culminating in a boss battle at the end.
In Wizorb your character is a wizard, so obviously there has to be some magic involved. You have the ability to do stuff like launch fireballs and use wind to change the direction of the ball mid-flight. The fireballs in particular are great for taking out those hard-to-hit blocks. There is a meter in place to limit your use of these powers and it can be replenished by collecting the potion bottles that drop from the bricks. Every so often you'll be able to open a door at the top of the screen, and if you get your ball up to the door before clearing the stage you can enter a bonus level. Bonus levels will either have a shop or give you free goodies. Shops will have some nice upgrades available to give you an upper hand.
The controls in Wizorb are tight and responsive, and I never really felt like I had any trouble getting my paddle to where I wanted it. The analog is fast and responsive while the d-pad is slowed down for more meticulous movement. The game is packed full of content, containing a total of sixty-five levels. The twelve levels per stage is a bit long and you are unable to progress to the next stage until you've cleared all those levels. The game does let you save & quit at any board, however you will lose your score progress if that kind of thing matters to you. Some of the later levels in the game can get quite challenging, with lots of unbreakable objects obstructing clear shots at the bricks you need to break. Wizorb is easily worthy of your dollar, having been dropped from it's original retail price of $2.99.
Also, as a neat bit of trivia the game was developed by former Eidos/Ubisoft employees who worked on such titles as Scott Pilgrim vs the World and Rayman 3. With this kind of experience it's no wonder Wizorb displays a level of polish seldom seen on XBLIG. This game should have easily been picked up by Microsoft and released for the Xbox Live Arcade, where it certainly would have garnered more of the attention it deserves. The game has gone on to see ports on many platforms and has received positive reception from anyone I've seen mention it.
Final Verdict: Wizorb is the best thing to happen to BreakOut style games since Arkanoid. Fans of ball & paddle games will absolutely adore this title.
Related Links:
Wizorb - GameFAQs
Wizorb on PC - Steam
Tribute Games - Official Site
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