Blok Drop U

Game Info

Nintendo has been doing a better job this generation with capturing indie developers then they had with the WiiWare and the DsiWare.  They have relaxed their ridiculous polices ( Something Microsoft should look into ) and also have helped indie developers by providing tools to help port their games over to the Wii U easily.  Blok Drop U is the first game to come out that uses the Nintendo Web Framework to port over HTML5 games to Nintendo’s home console.

As you would expect, using HTML5 to create a game means it’s probably going to make the game basic, which by all means Blok Drop U is.  But at the $1.99 price tag, there is definitely some fun to be had.  The main purpose of the game is to safely land the block with the red arrow safely  on a platform below.  Players tap the boxes on the touch screen to eliminated them, sending the red arrow box crashing below with some pretty accurate physics.  One of the weird things is that you have to clear all the blocks before you finish a level, which isn’t a dealbreaker being that the block physics still have a possibility to knock the red arrow block off the platforms.

The game is set into 3 sets of 10 levels, each one introducing a new mechanic.  The first set will see you through just breaking boxes and then your red arrow falling.  The second set has blades moving that you must avoid at all costs and the third has spring loaded boxes with adds to the physics fun.  All the levels feel rewarding to finally conquer and have a good amount of challenge to figure them out.  Also, there was free DLC announced to add more levels, which is a steal at 2 bucks.

The one thing that really bugged me about Blok Drop U is the inability to save your progress and pick up or replay where you left off previously.  You need to play through all 10 levels in one sitting or restart on your next boot up.  I’d love to see a save system added in a patch.

The graphics and sound are very basic and exactly what you would expect from this sort of game.  Could it look better? Sure.  Could it have a better soundtrack? Sure.  Does it matter? Not really.

For the price, if you are a puzzle fan, you shouldn’t hesitate to purchase this title.  The game won’t be everyone’s forte, but it accomplishes being entertaining and challenging enough that it will keep avid fans of the genre busy for a few hours.