More than a Pizza Tower carbon copy. Antonblast platformer review

At first, you might get the impression that the developers created Antonblast as a cheap attempt to cash in on the success of Pizza Tower. But the deeper you dive into the game, the more you realize that it is a unique project. It has far more features that evoke a wide variety of emotions than it might seem at first glance.

Slow start

Once upon a time, Satan asked the magic mirror: “Who is the reddest of them all?”. And the mirror answered: “Anton Dynamite is the reddest of them all – a vicious man who chugs spirits like water”. Satan was consumed by envy and ordered his minions to steal the spirits. When Anton came to his senses, he flew into a wild rage. Together with his trusty partner, he set out to reclaim what was stolen. 

You play through the game as either Anton or Annie – an aggressive green goblin. Both characters possess the same set of abilities: bashing everything in sight with a hammer\mace; high jumps and ground pounds; curling into a bowling ball; swimming underwater. Standing apart from the rest is the ability to scream at the top of your lungs – it exists purely for the player’s amusement.

Beating the initial levels comes down to standard jumping and gathering resources. All the enemies encountered along the way pose minimal threat – you have to be completely daydreaming to take any damage from them at all. Finding detonators that open the path forward adds variety to the process. 

Upon reaching the end of a level, “Happy Hour” mode is triggered. In real life, this term refers to a time when venues offer discounts on alcoholic beverages. In the game, however, all doors in the location unlock and a timer appears. You must make it all the way back to the start of the level before it runs out.

You quickly realize that you can’t rely on skill alone. You need lightning-fast reflexes to react in time to the next mine, fire, or sneakily placed enemy. I had to memorize all this madness just to clear the obstacles at breakneck speed later on.

Once you’ve properly adapted, you start searching for secrets. Each level has them in abundance, and finding them rewards you with resources and collectibles. The gathered resources can be exchanged at Brulo’s bar for cosmetic items and neat bonuses. 

If you wish, completed levels can be replayed in various ways. Arcade mode allows you to explore the environment at your own leisure. The others offer challenges in the form of a timer and a combo meter that deals damage when depleted.

Picking up the pace

Every new level offers something unusual. The core of these additions lies in various transformations. Under their effect, Anton turns into a living bomb or torpedo; spins like a top just like the Tasmanian Devil; runs inside a giant pinball; flies with a jetpack. Controlling these transformations is idiosyncratic, and you have to get used to it.

More and more interesting features appear:

• On some levels, you have to run away from encroaching lava or a giant robot;
• One level features fewer enemies, but its layout constantly changes;
• Solving puzzles requires using environmental objects;
• You learn to use enemy attacks to reach inaccessible areas

Boss battles are tough and memorable. The very first boss depleted most of my health with suplexes, and it took me a long time to adapt to him. The nastiest part was that he attacked right after the match started. Later bosses feature multiple phases, requiring you to defeat them several times over.

Acidic atmosphere

Visually, Antonblast looks like a cross between the animated series “Cow and Chicken” and “Courage the Cowardly Dog”. The game features a vibrant, standout style, and levels are packed with references to other animated shows and games. 

Every action of the character is accompanied by unique animation – including deaths to enemies or traps. Occasionally, 3D graphics also please the eye, blending seamlessly with the 2D art. During runs, something is constantly breaking or blowing up. And this unfolding madness is set against upbeat music and humorous sound effects.

However, the visuals can also be a genuine hindrance. During runs, you constantly have to move into the background. And the game loves to obstruct your view with all kinds of airships. Or place the character inside a wall where a hidden enemy will inevitably deal damage.

Diagnosis

To be honest, at first Antonblast struck me as a boring and stifling game. Having to memorize hazards, getting used to awkward controls, and dealing with cheap moments made me curse up a storm. Yet in the end, it’s not that the game is unfairly difficult — it’s fair, and it rewards mastered skills. The reality is that Antonblast is sneaky, and it doesn't hesitate to hit below the belt. 

But the longer you play – the more it has to offer. You might get burned out, but new mechanics spark genuine interest and urge you to push forward. By the end, you get completely hooked and start taking genuine pleasure in what’s happening. And the abundance of secrets will please those who love scouring every corner.

Pro:

• The game sparks a rush of emotions
• Lively gameplay 
• Diverse gameplay mechanics
• Plenty of secrets
• Vibrant visual style
• Great sound effects and music

Contra:

• Character visibility issues can be annoying at times
• The game is very sneaky and can be infuriating because of it 
• Transformation controls can grate on your nerves

***

Image rights belong to Summitsphere. The preview image is taken from SteamDB