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After the surprise success of Katamari Damacy, it seems like everyone has been on the lookout for the “Next Katamari”. A few games have vied for the title and, though a few have featured inventive mechanics, none have really caught on with the public the way Katamari has. De Blob is the next entry that, although it isn’t actively vying for the title, may have all the components down to find success where others haven’t.
De Blob is built on a very simple idea, color. The game opens with an organization sucking all of the color from the world. You play as a blob that sets out to restore color and save the day. Gameplay is very simple; you bounce and roll around colorless cities eating characters who have somehow managed to retain their color. After eating them, the blob turns that color, as does nearly everything he touches.
Of course, there’s more to coloring the town then just eating people then bumping into things. Some objects will require that you grow to a certain size and that you be a specific color. Some areas will require you meet other objectives before painting an object. You’ll also have to look out for enemies who, when you touch them, will coat you in ink that you’ll have to wash off. You can also pick up patterns along the way to add some spice to things. In addition, you'll go around freeing miserable citizens by bouncing on them, then they'll run away, happy once again.
De Blob also features a multiplayer mode for up to four players. Your goal in multiplayer isn’t much different than in the single-player game. Each player’s blob is a certain color and you need to spread as much of your color around as possible.
Visually, de Blob takes a minimalist approach. The blob is just an orb with stubby arms and a big grin while the city is composed mostly of flat, polygonal buildings. Cities start out as blank and lifeless, but as you roll and bounce around, they are splattered to life with color.
De Blob is full of potential. The gameplay is simple and fun, plus it is hitting a system that is slowly finding its place with a more casual market. |
