Shatter (Review) PC

The game of Breakout has survived through many generations. The basic stick and block formula has always been simple, yet addictive. Shatter is yet another game that borrows on the tried-and-true formula that we grew to love on classic game systems like the Atari 2600. Shatter, on the other hand, takes this formula and spices things up.

As a harvester in space, your job is to harvest anomalies. These anomalies are crystal-like blocks that, once broken, release large amounts of blue energy balls that replenish a power gauge. This gauge powers up a short-term cannon that fires a barrage of missiles that does twice as much damage as your ball. Additional power-ups, like the Maneuver Ball, give you more control over where your ball lands, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Extra lives, power boosts, Unstoppable(s) (which will make your ball larger), and bonus multipliers are some of the more useful power-ups that help improve your game.

The most interesting feature is the ability to push and pull the ball using the left and right mouse buttons. Holding the right-mouse button will keep everything in the playfield at bay (including the blue energy balls mentioned earlier), while holding the left-mouse button will bring everything in the playfield to you. This gives you greater control over your ball and adds more excitement to the game.

You might think there is little else to Shatter. Most Breakout-style games mimic the basic gameplay and do little else to improve it. Shatter, on the other hand, does something quite unexpected. It introduces boss battles at the end of each level. That’s right. You must destroy a large, hulking boss before moving on to the next level. Your ball(s) are used to attack the mechanical beast(s), and every time they hit, power-ups and blue power energy balls disperse from its body. You play each boss battle like you would the main game, but focusing on powering up your short-term cannon to eventually deal the final blow. Its challenging, exhilarating, and a refreshing twist on the genre.

Shatter is a remarkably addictive game that never grows old. Developer Sidhe should be commended for developing such a fun, memorable title. Do yourself a favor and purchase a copy today.

View our Shatter gameplay videos of level 1– here

Score 9 out of 10
Mike ‘STGuy1040’ Pittaro

Platform: PC
Publisher / Developer: Sidhe
Price: $9.99 on Steam (Coming soon to Mac / Steam)
Purchase Shatter– here

System Requirements: