Blitz Breaker
Hardcore platforming on the dash
You know what they say about fools and rushing in. Blitz Breaker’s spritely miniature protagonist seemingly doesn’t, since “rushing” is the only speed he’s familiar with, and it tends to lead him into all kinds of hazardous situations involving implements designed to turn him into an instant kebab.
More fortunately for you, his haste in any given direction (just swipe the screen, and off he dashes) offers a thrilling sense of speed. It’s fraught with danger, too, as that motion only stops when you bump into something – at which point you either rebound slightly… or die. You can maneuver your way through entire levels without so much as glancing off the floor, instead leading a merry jig from wall to wall, spinning off sideways after dropping down from above a ledge, then flying up again a second later. It’s a frenetically paced game that also relies on razor-sharp reactions, though it sometimes feels like you’re given a little too tight a window for success.
There’s more than an echo of the Mac’s Super Meat Boy here, in the way you’ll often take several runs at a level, learning its twists and turns and pinch points with no room for error. Each level is a blend of action and environmental puzzling, where learning your route (and the most finely honed way to tackle it) is the only way to progress. You’ll spill some rainbow-tinged blood before you hit your mark, though.
the bottom line. Thrills and spills abound in this speedy platformer, but you’ll need sharp reactions to prevent yourself from becoming the pot of minced beef at the end of the rainbow. Emma Davies