Wizorb (XBLIG): "Classic Brick Breaking With An RPG Twist"

During one of my routine searches for new games to review I found a youtube trailer of 'Wizorb' which looked just like the NES games I grew up with. I was definitely looking forward to reviewing this game, and sent my review request in early. I was glad that 'Tribute Games' gave me a chance to review Wizorb. It's not often that a reviewer such as myself gets to review an indie game from an experienced developer who has worked on mainstream games. I found out through an email from 'Tribute Games' that they have contributed to such titles as 'Deus Ex: Human Revolution', and 'Scott Pilgrim vs The World'. I even found that some of the developers that make up the 'Tribute Games' team  formerly worked for Eidos, and Ubisoft which I thought was quite noteworthy. I could definitely tell that the 'Tribute' team knew how to make a quality game by their background, but as a reviewer I had to see for myself ...

Wizorb is a game that is similar to 'Arkanoid (Taito 1986)' in subtle ways. Even though Wizorb does showcase some similar gameplay elements to Arkanoid it's still a totally unique experience. Wizorb takes rpg elements, and mixes them up with brick breaking gameplay that takes place over 5 different worlds. Each of the 5 worlds in Wizorb contains 12 levels, and a final boss battle. The goal of the game is not only rid the 5 worlds of evil creatures (and blocks), but is also to help rebuild the Kingdom of Gorudo by donating gold, and precious stones that you get along the way. You have a set amount of lives, continues, and magic that will aid you in your quest. Stores, and hidden rooms that can be found in certain levels will also help with the items that they offer.

Cyrus is the wizard, and main character in Wizorb. He uses both white, and black magic to aid him in his quest to restore the Kingdom of Gorudo back to normal. Cyrus also uses the magic art of Wizorb which turns him, and his wand into an orb and paddle. This unique concept actually fits rather well with the overall game. You will use Cyrus's spells throughout your five world journey to clear the blocks, and creatures in a efficient manner. There is a limit to the magic you use, but potions can be found in shops as well as the levels themselves that will refill your magic meter. You will need to gather keys that can be found in certain blocks/areas throughout the game to access the shops, and other locked areas. Within the shops, and locked areas you will find items that will enhance and extend your gameplay.

The main goal in each level of Wizorb is to clear all of the breakable blocks, and destroy all of the creatures. Once this is accomplished the level will end, and you will be awarded gold according to how well you did. Your performance in each level is graded on how many orbs you lost, the items you collected, and whether or not you bought something from a shop. You can earn extra gold, and even stars according to how well you did. The worlds in the game are also judged in this manner, but on a larger scale. As you progress through the worlds, and levels the game will become increasingly more difficult. New block types, Curses (shrink, fast orb, drain magic, steal, no damage, glue, death) and creatures (wolfkid, slime, eyeball, ghost, skull knight) are added to each world making the levels harder to complete.

At the end of each world you will encounter a boss battle. The bosses for each world are larger, and more enhanced versions of the creatures you encountered within the levels. You will face a boss once you have completed the 12th level of a world. Using magic (Fire, Wind) will definitely help in defeating the monstrous foes, but you can also destroy them by hitting them with the orb. All of the bosses have a certain attack pattern, and curses that they will use against you. Learning this pattern of attacks will definitely help you in defeating the boss creature. Each boss has a life meter (hit points) which is displayed at the top of the screen, so you can tell how close you are to defeating them. Once the boss's life bar has been depleted the battle will be over, and you will have completed that world. When you have completed all of the worlds, defeated the bosses, and restored the Kingdom of Gorudo to it's former glory your adventure as Cyrus the wizard will be complete.

In the end I found Wizorb to be a nostalgic, and delightful game. It was fun to play, and challenging to complete. I definitely liked the combination of rpg, and brick breaking elements that 'Tribute Games' used. Everything about this game was of superb quality. Even the soundtrack was amazing. In fact it was one of the best video game soundtracks that I've heard in a while. The developers' combined 30 years of experience definitely shows through in Wizorb. I was glad that I got a chance to play through it, and review it. Wizorb is definitely worth the points, and if you haven't gotten it yet you should. It's one of the best XBLIG games that has been released this year.