Bomberman: Generation

There's a good chance that you've played a game like Bomberman Generation before. The game sticks to a formula that has worked for years. As the hero, Bomberman, you navigate five different worlds broken up into separate stages: 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, etc. You gain new powers, meet new foes, and face off against boss figures as you progress through the stages. In fact, you can expect to meet up with a huge, hulking boss every three stages. There's no doubt that Bomberman Generation is designed around a formula. Regardless, even though you have an idea of what's next, and even though you know when bosses may appear, you still can't help but enjoy Bomberman Generation for the entertainment it offers up. It's a Saturday morning cartoon brought to the tips of your fingers. In Bomberman's universe there have been six crystals stolen and scattered across one of the planets. The story is told via an opening cut-scene which as been somewhat bafflingly translated from Japanese. Terms like "this is where energy unfathomable to humankind is overflowing" will probably throw you for a loop, but the story is very simple and not exactly integral to the experience. The basic concept comes across just fine. As Bomberman you're going to have the travel to several different worlds to save the world and recapture these crystals. Unexpectedly, you begin your single-player adventure with the option to play in one of the three worlds on the main planet (there's a moon, too), based on forest, ocean, and desert themes. It's not the best idea for beginners to jump ahead, but it's an option, and is there for gamers who may want to take a break from one of the worlds if they get stuck. Whatever you do, you'll be in constant contact with the professor, who will give you hints and tips to make it through each world. Thankfully the controls for Bomberman are very intuitive, so he doesn't have to explain things too often. You control Bomberman with the main analog stick and set bombs with the A-button. As you earn more power-ups and more abilities, you'll be able to have more control over your explosive activities. As this is a 3D game, you should know it will require manual control of the camera with the R and L triggers, which swing it around Bomberman. With the camera high above you it really isn't too much of a problem to use at all. The worlds are all laid out to send Bomberman down paths. He breaks off into larger areas, but it isn't really 3D like Mario or Zelda game would be. In fact, Bomberman Generation is really not at all similar to a true 3D exploration-based title. Instead, it stays close to the series' roots and offers up nearly 2D gameplay and a constant offering of puzzles. With new moves added to the mix, Bomberman's tryuphant return will please everyone.