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GameSpot editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Excellent
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 10/20/2009
- Released on: 10/13/2009
- Originally published on GameSpot: A Boy and His Blob (Wii) Review
Who could have imagined that when aliens finally arrived on Earth they would crave nothing more than tasty jelly beans and a bit of human companionship? The relationship between the titular boy and his blob friend is at the heart of this beautiful reimagining of the NES classic. Hand-drawn visuals make these lovable protagonists and the world they inhabit inherently likable, and it's easy to get sucked into their adventure. But the cute aesthetics hide a challenging quest that rewards players who like pushing their brains to solve tricky puzzles. The smooth pace at which the difficulty ramps up makes for a satisfying adventure in which you must constantly build upon your past knowledge to overcome the latest obstacle that threatens to halt your progress. By borrowing the best elements from the original game and throwing them into an accessible quest that encourages creativity, developer Wayforward has created an engaging and charming adventure that deftly balances its cute exterior with devious-though-always-logical puzzles.
6237088>Flying around on the back of a blob.None
After an evil king imprisons the blobs of Blobolonia, one blob escapes to Earth and teams up with an ordinary young child to help free his captured friends. Although the story is little more than a rudimentary backdrop for your adventure, the relationship between the boy and his blob is endearing, giving a personality to these mostly silent protagonists. The most touching aspect of their friendship is the ability to give the blob a hug with the push of a button. The warmth exuded in this embrace makes the amorphous blob as lovable as an adorable puppy, and it's easy to smile as you watch the boy squeeze his squishy friend. You can also call out to the blob whenever you get separated, and each subsequent call adds a tinge of stress as the boy begins to show real concern for his absent friend. Aside from the subtle affection shown in this odd relationship, there are background details that add depth to the story. When you travel to Blobolonia, you can see blobs trapped in cages in the background. You can choose to save them or leave them locked away, and though there isn't a tangible reward for being the hero, it's hard to turn your back on these little guys.
Your main tool while traversing these lands is jelly beans. For some unexplained reason, your blob friend can't get enough of these tasty candies, and he will transform into a helpful item whenever he gets one in his belly. You have an infinite supply of jelly beans, but you have only a few different types at your disposal in each level. In some levels you may be able to turn the blob into a ladder to help you reach higher places, whereas in other levels you need to use a trampoline or maybe an anvil to get to higher ground. Because the boy can hop only a short distance and dies whenever he makes contact with an enemy or evil trap, you rely almost entirely on your bag of goodies and adaptable friend to survive.
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