Shatter review

Breakout, in space

12DOVE Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Incredible visuals

  • +

    Push/pull objects mid-flight

  • +

    Horribly addictive

Cons

  • -

    Mostly just copies Breakout

  • -

    Visuals can get hectic

  • -

    Almost too addictive

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All you need to know about Shatter is that it’s essentially 3D Breakout in space. And, like everything else in space (except juggling and using a urinal), it’s much better than normal. The basic setup is familiar – your spaceship is tasked with smashing up collections of cosmic blocks by deflecting a shiny disc into them over and over, making sure the disc doesn’t ricochet off-screen.

What makes it different from the much-copied original are incredible visuals (it has the same kind of fizzing HD sparks and neon that made Super Stardust HD a hit) and some smart twists on the ages-old gameplay. Now as well as bouncing your galactic wrecking ball all over, you can pull and push it mid-flight using the shoulder buttons (the suck/blow effect also drawing in or repelling power-ups), and there are boss battles at the end of each one of the ten stages. Smart, smoothly playable and super addictive. Another great PSN title.

Aug 20, 2009

More info

GenreArcade
DescriptionEven though it's basically Breakout in space, Shatter is smart, smoothly playable and super addictive. Another great PSN title.
PlatformPS3
US censor ratingEveryone
Release date23 July 2009 (US), 23 July 2009 (UK)
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