This game is a remake of a 2004 PC title called Tumiki Fighters, a horizontal shooter in the same style as R-Type. Don’t let this put you off however as Blast Works is a very fun game which offers many unique levels as well as a powerful editor for making your own levels and access to unlimited user created content from Blastworksdepot.com. There are 15 levels in total which leads to a long term investment particularly as they are extremely challenging on the higher difficulty levels. Is it worth the $40 asking price however?

What makes Blast Works unique is the fact that every vehicle you shoot down can be added to the chassis of your ship. Whenever you pick them up they will be added immediately which leads to a very interesting gameplay mechanic, factor in that it might be added to a position on the ship that may or may not be useful to you and you can begin to see the possibility for amusing situations. These additions also act as shields and they fall off as they take damage. This whole experience adds a random aspect to the game which leads to a wonderfully creative and entertaining romp through space. Bored of pattern based algorithms we all experienced in 2d scrolling shooters? This game is much less focused on that particular aspect than many of its counterparts.

Up to four players can join in on the gaming action and this ends up as a chaotic mess onscreen rather than an enjoyable co-op. Part of the problem is that with two or three players adding ship parts from the debris it frequently becomes a matter of working out what is going on, most of the time anyway. The strength of the game is certainly in single player mode.

The campaign mode is great fun and once you complete it then you can tackle the editor to create your own levels and fill them with enemies, scenery and anything else on offer. This is very complex and it will take considerable practise and patience before you create a world to be proud of. Part of the downside of the editing system is the fact there is no mouse and it can get tricky using the Wii remote to drag and manipulate selections. If you couple this with the somewhat convoluted menu system then you can begin to expect some hair loss. Quite why they didn’t map some options to the buttons or nunchuk baffles me.


If editing levels is not your scene then there is access to a bunch of user created designs at Blastworksdepot.com, this is a sure way to cause depression, as there are some extremely talented people in cyberspace! Additionally there is the option to download specific objects to use in your level creation. Objects such as furniture, cars, foliage are all available to download and if there is something particular you have in mind it is extremely easy to search for. Your depot account is linked to your Wii console number so when you find an object you like, simply click it and send to your console in one simple motion. Uploading your own creations is just as easy and works with the same principle.

On an audio level the game contains some great electronic beats that sets the tone for old school 2d action and is more than satisfactory.


Graphically the game is firmly set in the shooters of yesteryear, the ships have an appealing quality but they are blocky and there are no special effects whatsoever. The menus are also very old fashioned and ugly and could really do with a little more artistic development.

Blast Works is a game which will appeal to lovers of old fashioned 2d shooters. The graphics are not revolutionary by any means, the editor is complex to use and it is easy to run out of storage space. All in all however the game provides great playability and is unique in relation to the ship modification system.

Gameplay	80/100	A ton of options and great solid 2d shooter gameplay.
Graphics	60/100	A lack of flashy effects damage the overall impression.
Audio	70/100	Electronic soundtrack which works well, sound effects are average.
Value	85/100	$40 for a fun game with virtually unlimited replayability. Good value.
Overall (Not an Average)	79/100	While not for everyone it will certainly appeal to many of the older audience.