‘Ragdoll Blaster 2’ Review
Intro
Like the first, Ragdoll Blaster 2 is all about getting your ragdolls to hit the target by firing them out of a cannon. Unlike the first, Ragdoll Blaster 2 sports a massive new graphics overhaul, new gameplay elements and an online leaderboard so that you can track your ragdoll scores.
Pool anyone?
If you are unfamiliar with the first Ragdoll Blaster game, then you can’t really appreciate the amount of improvement Backflip Studios have added to this new sequel. Basically, the idea is that you aim a ragdoll firing cannon so that it hits the red and white target. But it is not that simple. You need to navigate your way through a wide variety of different levels (over 150) using levers, buttons, gravity wells, dynamite and much more to try get the ragdoll to hit the target.
The difficulty graduates from being very easy to extremely hard. Although some levels require luck to hit the target, others require you to think about how you are going to complete this level.
A great addition to the first Ragdoll Blaster game is the improved level design. Some levels are actually extended further than your screen, and some levels are particularly clever such as ‘Runaway Train’ where you are bolted to the back of a train and you have to try hit the target as it whizzes past. Sometimes I found the levels too predictable and repetitive, but the new features helps combat this.
Despite this, the physics engine is almost perfect, but I sometimes found a lack of friction when a ragdoll slides along a surface which looked a bit unnatural.
Overall, the gameplay is extremely fun and challenging, however it could have incorporated more of the new features.
Greatly refreshed graphics
Graphics 9/10
The graphics have been massively rejuvenated and have gone from the simple doodle style of Ragdoll Blaster 1 to a more fetching and naturalistic style of Ragdoll Blaster 2. Backflip Studios have gone for a wooden, engineered look which is perfectly conveyed.
However, I did encounter some disruptive lagging and frame-rate issues, especially at the start of the game. I suspect it is because of the online server connecting. Also I found the gameplay to be a bit slow at times, but nothing substantial.
Controls 10/10
The controls are extremely simple and work very well. All you do is tap where you want the ragdoll to fire. The further away the cannon you fire, the faster the ragdoll fires. You can also hold and drag. A useful feature is laser sight, where a laser emits from the cannon to where you are aiming, so you can get the perfect shot.
Sound 10/10
The sound is pretty good, and involves some quirky soundtrack music. The sounds are punchy (especially the cannon firing) and the added touch of the ragdolls squealing is a nice touch.
Menus 9/10
Refreshed menus
The menus look really good and are very well designed, but I found them to be a bit unresponsive and they sometimes don’t give good feedback. Once again, I blame this on Plus+ network slowing things down, but it is not a massive issue.
Longevity 8/10
With over 150 levels, you won’t complete this in a hurry. When you do eventually complete Ragdoll Blasters you still have the option of lowering your ragdoll scores (how many ragdolls you use in a level) and compete in the online leaderboards. It will also be very good to come back to and you will constantly find yourself opening the game and choosing a level at random to play, even though you have completed it already. I’d say about 7 hours.
Conclusion 56/70 – 4/5
Ragdoll Blaster 2 is $2.99/£1.99 which is reasonable, but not a bargain. If you are unsure, then I would recommend trying the free version before you go the whole hog and buy the game. A good game, just needs a bit of polishing to perfect it.
