de Blob 2: The Underground Review

By Ned Jordan

Platform games are relatively scarce these days, especially outside of the Nintendo consoles' world. So much so, that even the most avid Xbox 360 fan might have a little trouble coming up with the names of the last five platform games released on the system that weren't an Xbox Live Arcade game or a movie tie-in throwaway. In fact, the first de Blob wasn't even available on the Xbox 360. However, its sequel, the aptly named de Blob 2 is, and it might just have enough personality and charm to remind Xbox 360 gamers of the glory days of platform games, if not quite enough to revive a virtually flat-lined genre.

de Blob 2 stars de Blob, an amorphous, well, blob, with the unique ability to absorb color and then redistribute it to the buildings, cars, plants, and just about everything else in his world. de Blob is truly a blob for his time because his happy little world has been subjugated by the authoritarian INKT Corporation and its leader, Comrade Black. Comrade Black has effectively sucked all color out of Prisma City and its surrounding lands, painting everything an inoffensive shade of grayish white and forcing its brightly-colored, puffy little citizens into gray-colored jumpsuits to encourage them to be compliant little worker drones. The irrepressible de Blob will have none of that, though, and takes it upon himself to undo the work of Comrade Black and his minions and restore color to Prisma City.

de Blob 2 is a game packed with humor and personality, due in no small part to the energetic and enthusiastic de Blob himself. You can't help but like de Blob and his infectiously effervescent personality and anti-totalitarian attitude - even though you can't help but think that his rebellion is motivated more by the fact that the INKT Corporation is cramping his party life than by noble political or ideological notions. Prisma City's cartoon city of tomorrow look makes it an interesting place to visit and explore, and watching it come to life as de Blob returns it to color is a treat. The game's presentation is top-notch and filled with little details to the point that even the colors that you choose to paint the world are tied to different musical phrases so that you can "paint" the game's soundtrack as you paint Prisma City.

The basics of gameplay are pretty basic, as they should be in a good platform game. de Blob absorbs color from color pools or wandering inkbots and transfers color to buildings and objects by bumping them, jumping on them, or rolling along their sides. Colors can be combined to create new colors, so jump in a yellow pool and then in a blue one and you'll have a green-colored de Blob. Painting objects generally doesn't drain color from de Blob, but damage from enemies will, as will water which instantly drains all of his color. Certain actions require "payment" in terms of units of color and performing those actions will deduct the requisite number of color units from de Blob's supply. Enemies are defeated by various jump attacks, there are crates waiting to be broken, and various hidden bonuses can be found by thoroughly exploring the levels – all standard platform stuff there. Not surprisingly color comes into play in the game's puzzles – certain switches can only be tripped when you're a certain color and some buildings need to be painted in a designated color. There's a little thought required in getting to the right pools to get the colors that you need while avoiding painting or repainting things the wrong color, but none of the puzzles can really be considered particularly difficult or challenging.

Some of the larger structures will contain interior areas that de Blob will have to enter to complete his objectives, and once inside the game switches to a traditional 2D side-scroller view. These areas have a strong retro feel to them, and are a fun change of pace from the game's main world. As a matter of fact, I had so much fun with some of these sections that I wish there were more of them in the game.

de Blob 2 is well-produced and enjoyable, but one thing that it's not is challenging. Nothing in the game – the environment, puzzles, or enemies – will provide a significant challenge or make you work very hard to get past it. The hidden items are just tucked away out of view behind or on top of things, so if you take all of the paths you come across you'll eventually collect them all. An in-game compass will direct you to the color pools and current mission objectives, so even challenges like painting all of the trees in a level are just a matter of following the pointers. Things get even easier if you play in co-op mode, with the second player taking control of de Blob's flying robotic guide Pinky. Pinky seems to be there more as a way to let younger players join in and feel like they're a part of the game more than anything else, which is fine for those looking for that sort of thing but don't expect it to provide a real co-op challenge.

Oddly enough, the levels are timed, perhaps in an effort to add additional challenge to the game. Once you complete a level's objectives you're free to explore without a clock ticking down, but if you get a little distracted and explore a bit first you could find yourself running into trouble. If the clock expires, you have to start the level all over again from scratch. Ouch. Luckily the clock gives you a generous amount of time to complete a level's main objectives and there are plenty of ways to earn bonus time, but it's just odd that the game forces you to complete the objectives first rather than leaving you free to get a little distracted when you feel so inclined.

de Blob 2 is an enjoyable diversion and one of the better platform games to appear on the Xbox 360 in quite a while.  A bit more of a challenge, even if it were confined to optional objectives and hidden bonus items, would have gone a long way towards making the game more memorable without making it too difficult for kids to enjoy as well. 

Final Rating: 85%. de Blob 2 brings a much needed splash of color and energy to a genre that's become dull and tired.