GAME REVIEW | A Wild "Antonblast" From the Past
It’s one thing to create a video game that has the spirit of a 16-bit era platformer. However, to conjure up something that legit looks and feels like something you’d play on a Genesis or Super Nintendo is something of a marvel. Summitsphere have done exactly that with their sophomore release Antonblast. Once you start playing, you’ll no doubt crave for some Dunkaroos with a nice cold Crystal Pepsi!
A spiritual successor to their first game Antonball, Antonblast has you take control of either Dynamite Anton or his coworker Annie. Satan has stolen all of your spirits, and by that, we mean beer. So now Anton is outright pissed, and goes off on an adventure filled with mayhem and wanton destruction. With some help from the sweaty Brulo, our red hero aims to take out the red villain and get his most prized possession back.
To do that, Anton needs the most powerful weapon of all: The Mighty F’n Hammer! With a mighty swing, he can take down moles, birds, and other creatures that are in his path. Nary a feeling of mercy can be found in the veins of Anton nor Annie, as everything can and will be destroyed in order to save that alcohol. But when Happy Hour arrives, the insanity levels zoom past even the reddest planet in our galaxy!
Where Antonblast gets it right is in its overall tone. This is a game that never once takes itself seriously, as it goes for the funny bone every chance it gets. From the flamboyant way Satan presents himself to the plethora of ways you see enemies bite the dust, every moment this game showcases is filled with plenty of laughs. Humor-wise, it stands toe-to-toe with the likes of Earthworm Jim, Boogerman, and Stimpy’s Invention.
Level layouts have a very fun and discovery-friendly vibe to them. Long jumps, boxes to smash, and things to blow up are found just about everywhere. Destroying areas and enemies will allow you to earn enough chips to buy various helpful items such as your faithful pet, health upgrades, additional time, and…a balloon. (I still haven’t figure out what that balloon was for, to be honest.)
When you get to Happy Hour, it becomes a race back to the beginning of the level. Sometimes the pathway is there just to be destroyed, as you rack up points and take out enemies with a faster fury. In some cases, enemies will make it a little tougher on you to get back in time, going so far as to flat out end your life if you’re not fast enough. Fortunately, even when you’ve failed for the umpteenth time, Happy Hour never reaches frustrating levels.
However, boss battles are a different story. Antonblast doesn’t take it easy at all with these fights. Even the first one against Brawlbuster likes to constantly make mincemeat out of you, as it doesn’t give you any hints on how you can defeat him. But once you’ve found the secret…it still kicks your ass like you’re a little old lady who made Andre the Giant angry. The likes of Tallbuster, the colorful Freako Dragon, and Satan himself all put up a tough fight, so expect to spend at least an hour trying to figure out how to best them.
A classic-feeling game must also control like one, and playing Summitsphere’s latest is thankfully very easy. Jump for one button, swing for another, and even do cool moves like power slides and bowling. There’s even a button for Anton and Annie to just scream out their frustrations, something you can attempt to do while you’re just smashing away the pain. (A review room even allows you to see how long you’ve had your character screaming for during its runtime.)
Perhaps the best part of Antonblast is how it looks. With graffiti vibes and an underground comic coating, every moment of this game is filled with the essence of early 90s platformers. It’s not the prettiest game of 2024, and it doesn’t have to be. Instead, it’s ripe with character in every pixel that flashes on your screen.
PROS:
- Beautiful throwback to classic platformers
- Hilarious story
- Great level designs
- Scream button
CONS:
- Boss battles are super tough
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Antonblast is exactly how you make a solid retro platformer, one that looks and feels like something you’d rent from a Blockbuster Video. Yet it’s more than a “just a rental” game; it’s filled with tons of fun, fantastic jokes, and plenty of character. Even with Satan stealing it all, Antonblast is still chock full of spirit, albeit the tasty kind that dances on your tongue!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Zachery Bennett of Stride PR. Reviewed on the PC via Steam.
