Review by: Jeff McAllister

‘Splosion Man has one simple premise: escape each level by pressing one button, a button that allows your wacky character to explode in a fiery puff. One would think that with such an effortless control scheme, the 2.5D platformer would become tiresome quickly and lose its appeal well before nearing the end of its fifty levels. Well, one would be wrong.

Early into the game, you are given the ability to explode three times in succession, which helps you cross large gaps, bounce off walls, launch off barrels and becomes a necessity to advance in each of the levels. Once this power is gained, the gloves are off and the game starts to mercilessly ramp up its difficulty curve.

Each level consists of various hazards and traps whose sole aim is to impede your progress. Objects such as electric barriers, doors, turrets, wall spikes, and acid pools stand between you and the exit. Some levels flood with water, forcing you to race as quickly to the top as possible, and some levels have a giant robot that chases you, affording you no time to slow down while you negotiate obstacles in your path.

By the time you hit the third and final chapter, the game throws everything it has at you and can become quite hectic and frustrating (to the controller throwing degree), where one misstep, one wrong ‘splosion, one ill-timed jump, results in your death. Thankfully though, when you die - and you will very die very often - the game loads back up at the previous checkpoint, which is never far behind your current progress. If you do happen to die a great deal of times, a screen pops up and allows you to take “The Way of the Coward” which skips you to the next level, while making you wear a frilly pink tutu in the process.

‘Splosion Man has the personality of a lunatic. As you make your way through environments, he will throw up his hands and make grunting sounds or put his arms out at his side, tilting them up and down as he makes a “MMRRROOOOOOOOOW” noise like an airplane. It is a subtle yet hilarious humour that adds an adorable and endearing charm to the character.

Scientists found throughout the levels run in fear and combust into piles of ham and sausages when exploded, while the chubby Donut scientists play a delightful and catchy little ditty, that you’ll be humming to yourself all day, when you nab them to help you though certain obstacles. Two types of robots round out the enemies and are found scattered throughout the game but add little resistance and end up being nothing more than just a time delaying nuisance.