It may sound like an Internet security program, but CyberBlocker: Complete Edition is actually a game that combines paddle and ball block breaking action like BreakOut or Arkanoid, mixed with 2D shooters with a power-up system similar to Gradius.  And it’s also really fun and one of the best Arkanoid clones I’ve played in decades!  It’s available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.

Like other ball and paddle games, you move your paddle on the bottom of the screen left and right.  But you actually have control of two paddles and moving up and down will move another paddle in all directions.  This is handy because now you’ve got more control where your ball can go as you bounce it.  When you move the paddle on the bottom of the screen, it’ll merge with the other paddle and become longer.  You can also shoot bullets limitlessly, you don’t have to have a power-up for that. So those two aspects make stages go by much quicker.  You collect falling pills just like the power-ups in Arkanoid, but here they are all the same and when you pick one up, it’ll cycle through a list of powers like in Gradius.  Pick the one you want when it’s highlighted by pressing the R1 button.  Powers let you slow down the ball, have multiple balls, a laser that cuts through all kinds of blocks, and a shield.

There are two modes of play.  In Standard Mode, you’ll go through nearly 30 stages.  Since this game is more focused on shooting action, every five stages you’ll fight a boss, and the stage before that will be a mini-boss.  You also get unlimited continues so that’s nice.  There is also a Challenge Mode where you play ten new stages and in each one you have a time limit to complete challenges like break as many bricks as possible, shoot as many enemies, etc.  It adds a bit of WarioWare to the mix.  And did I mention the music is really good, too?  Really the only problem I had with this game is that there aren’t enough stages.  But when the only problem with a game is that you wish there was more of it, that’s kind of a good thing!  I hope that when Taito decides to make another Arkanoid title, they take notes from this game!

Kid Factor:

CyberBlocker: Complete Edition is rated E-10 with an ESRB descriptor of Fantasy Violence.  You shoot at spaceships that explode and that’s it.  Reading skill is helpful for the text, but not necessary just to play.

Tags: Game Reviews