Admirable Sploder Game 03: Escape (Blackhole2)

Review by redandblue2000 on Saturday, October 25th 2014

Admirable Sploder Game 03: Escape (Blackhole2)

For my third review, I thought it would be suffice to choose something that I finally think I can give justice to. When I played Switched (Paq) a while back, I was spoiled for choice on which I prefer. It soon became clear that in my eyes, this was the superior game. This has always stood out in my mind for more reasons than one. While I usually find a game that's able to top this, it doesn't take long for this to take the lead. It's clear that this is one of the better of the 'best' games I've played. I'll be discussing why during the actual review so I won't spoil that yet. So, our maker today is Blackhole2 who has always been a big name for his fabulous games he's been releasing. In all honesty, I can't truthfully say I've played all his games but I have intention to. As a member, I don't hear much from him which surprises me. I don't see how someone with an arsenal of consistently excellent games slips my mind so easy but he does. So, beyond that, let's talk about just what makes Escape so special.

Pre-Thoughts

It's probably me, but it seems that I wasn't drifted away at all by the bland and unfitting title. Deducing from this, it was probably the interesting thumbnail that stole the show for me (note that this was the first I heard of Blackhole2). It was interesting and eye-catching and all, but that escape-like feeling the thumbnail captured had disappeared once I'd begun.

Review

So it's good to start off with how the game starts you off, how this brought you and your attention into the game. In blunt terms, the art was really nothing special. While it was boring and dark, it ~did~ do a good job on making the goals clear. Not to mention, there was at least ~some~ sense of trying as influenced by the checkered, faint background. Difficulty-wise, I'd say it did a pretty good job bringing you into this game. It shows you the simplest enemies that will reoccur in the game, along with the puzzles that are easy to solve. The level is of a moderate difficulty that should really be won on the first try. As far as the attention- grabbing level goes, it's pretty good.

Difficulty overall, this game is ~really~ difficult. Beyond the first level, the game ~never~ leaves you a break. Obstacles are ubiquitous. That being said, just because a game is difficult, doesn't mean it's bad. This is one of the few games of this difficulty level that knows it's difficulty and never goes above and beyond. The main thing to thank for that is the placements. This game has outstanding placements. Obstacles are placed exactly where they need to be, the right obstacle at that. While the difficulty isn't quite my taste (due to how difficult it is), I can still respect it, at the very least.

Back to the aforementioned art I explained earlier, the art is a very weak link within Escape. It's dark and bland. It might just be me sticking up for the game too much but I actually prefer it this way. I will say that Blackhole2 ~could~ have put in a theme and made the background follow the theme in question, however, as the art as it stands damages the production of the whole game.

In terms of gameplay, this game doesn't offer much. All the keys that are required are the arrow keys. Just moving as a small square is required to pass all the levels. It adds a simplistic charm to the game that hasn't quite been matched. Not much to say on the behalf of the gameplay here; it's just a good addition to the atmosphere.

The story seems a little far-fetched, not to mention unneeded. I found it to leave the game remarkably unchanged. Whether it was needed or not, it still show that Blackhole2 was trying. In terms of concept, it seems like a simple experiment taken very far. It didn't have much of either, yet it still seemed to shine.

Final Scores

Total: 65 Points

Conclusion

So, overall, this game is as good as I remembered it. While it doesn't succeed in everything, it has a pretty good record and is ~definitely~ among my favorite games to date. I would recommend this to anyone up for a challenge and anyone who likes Blackhole2's games. This is a classic PPG and stands as one of my best.