Retro Game Review:
Blaster Master - Blasting Again
Year: 2000
Playstation 1



"Blaster Master - Blasting Again" is essentially a sequel or "reimagining" of the original Blaster Master series, which first appeared on the NES and a few other consoles of that era. Like its predecessors, this game maintains a heavy focus on exploration, and it doesn’t disappoint in that regard.

If you've ever played Metroid Prime for the GameCube, the core concept will feel familiar, aside from a few core gameplay differences (like perspective and such). The general idea is the same: you traverse vast maps, exploring every nook and cranny, trying to figure out how to proceed. You'll be unlocking doors, activating elevators, and checking unmarked areas of the map to figure out your next move.

For fans of games that emphasize exploration and puzzle-solving in dungeon-like environments, this is an excellent experience. It doesn’t hold your hand, and the sense of satisfaction you get from figuring things out on your own is rewarding.

Edit:
Forgot to mention: one of the interesting aspects of the gameplay is that most of the places in the game are explored using your trusty tank, but there are places where you have to get out of it and continue on foot. This adds to the variety of the environtments you explore and also the enemies you encounter. Also, you have different kinds of weapons for your tank and for attack on foot.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the shooting mechanics. While exploration shines, the combat falls flat. Despite the various weapon upgrades you acquire, enemies remain just as tough, and many of the upgrades feel underwhelming against the more relentless monsters. On top of that, the guns sound weak, like you're firing a pebble gun, so the combat never quite feels satisfying.

The controls are another weak point. They feel a bit stiff for a game that emphasizes free roaming, and the camera angles can be frustrating at times, requiring constant adjustment. However, despite these shortcomings, you do get used to them fairly quickly.

On a brighter note, the music is a highlight. The tracks are energetic and fit the atmosphere well, though some songs can get repetitive after being looped in the same dungeon for long stretches. Still, the quality of the music helps you overlook this most of the time.

As for the graphics, they're pretty much what you'd expect from a PS1 game. They're not mind-blowing, but they’re not bad either, decent for the time period.

The story did nothing for me. I guess if you know about the previous games you can have a bit more context on why things happen but it's not a necesity to know since nothing crazy happens. The voice acting of the cutscenes falls into the "so bad it's good" department so there's that.

Overall, I found Blaster Master - Blasting Again enjoyable, especially due to its focus on exploration, which is something I personally love. If you're like me and can overlook its flaws, you'll likely have a good time. My suggestion? Try it on an emulator to smooth over some of the rougher edges, but even with its quirks, it's still a solid recommendation.

Rating: 80/100

So, how much did the PS2 sold compared to it's contemporaries?



I have to admit that i have barely played any game from that generation, but i think it was a very exciting moment to experience regarding the evolution of videogame consoles. The leap in graphics was very large and the studios were keen to tell new stories.

I don't want to sound like an old coot with this, but honestly i think the golden age of gaming is way way a thing of the past. It's one of the reasons i'm a declared "retro gamer", barely interested in new releases.