I really wish I could go into detail about how complex battling is, but everything is extremely simplified in Rumble Blast and players can only have up to two moves assigned to a particular Pokemon at any given time. Executing these abilities also is a very standard affair, as each move is assigned to either the A or B buttons, and the player just has to mash like crazy to take down a swarm of unsuspecting foes. The problem with this title utilizing the main movepool though is that many moves that are already on a freshly caught Pokemon feel useless. There are defensive abilities to increase stats and better protect your wind-up toy, but those honestly make no sense as most of the time, players will encounter around 5 to 10 enemy toys at once who are all constantly barraging you with melee or projectile attacks. Considering these conditions, would you be more likely to use a move that raises defenses for a few seconds, or an offensive maneuver that could eliminate the problem?. Yes, Rumble Blast may try to tap into that rich ability list from the RPG series, but sadly falls flat while doing so as there is no actual strategy needed to be successful. Type advantages are also present and can assist in dishing out more damage, but I was able to take a low powered Oddish into a boss room and quickly take out a large Simisear (a FIRE type) by simply dodging and spamming the same attack over and over. Due to this simplicity, everything is extremely easy to master and that accessibility is sure to capture the attention of younger gamers, but those wanting a meaty battling experience will more than likely grow bored of these button-mashing mechanics quickly.
Even though the gameplay feels watered down and overly simplified, I can definitely say it isn’t broken by any means. Everything works as it should, moves can be executed quickly and effectively and I never once had any problem using the structure provided to progress through whatsoever. When you are down to a sliver of HP and somehow manage to take out a large group of hounding enemies, it can lead to a nice feeling of satisfaction, and this is where Rumble Blast shines the brightest. Ambrella even tried to change up the dungeons by offering arenas and towers to do battle in, but while these add a bit of challenge, they still do not provide any new or refreshing mechanics to kill off the monotony of the overall experience as every battle feels exactly the same as the rest, no matter how large the enemy toy you are battling may be.
Once you complete the many dungeons in the game, there is still a lot of extras to take part in, as players can participate in Streetpass Battles while on the go. Those looking to get in on the action with a friend will also be pleased to know that a co-op mode is also available, but without the ability to team up outside of local play, it’s easy to think of this as yet another 3DS title that didn’t hit it’s true potential.
Visuals/Audio:
Much like the other Pokemon spin-offs that Ambrella have crafted, Pokemon Rumble Blast is a very colorful and charming affair. Due to each Pokemon having their own unique attacks, there are a ton of moves to be seen and the animations look fantastic in 3D. The 3D effect also plays out well in cutscenes, letting the wind-up mechanisms “pop” off the screen while portraying each Pokemon toy well in a whole new dimension. During the opening cinematic, you are treated to all of your Miis winding up and playing with these toy Pokemon, and little additions like that give the game a more personalized feel overall. The only true complain I really have with the game as a whole is the environments, as they are re-used often and only offer more of a color swap rather than a full change of scenery.
Audio is a bit of a mixed bag in comparison however to the crisp and charming visuals in Rumble Blast. The soundtrack feels a bit uninspired and at times doesn’t add much excitement or intimidation when battling large bosses, but for the most part the upbeat tunes at least fitting with the colorful environments within. One thing fans are sure to enjoy though is that every Pokemon possess their distinct cry from the main series that can be heard once they go down in battle. I know many fans would have expected this anyway, but it certainly is an appreciated addition that made new encounters a bit more exciting.
Overall:
As far as the gameplay and presentation goes, Pokemon Rumble Blast is a solid game and definitely one that the hardcore fans should not pass up. With that said though, the mechanics present don’t offer much and can grow quickly tiresome after just a short time. There really is two ways to look at it this title as a whole in all honesty. Yes, this title is a worthy successor to Pokemon Rumble and the battle system in place is well built and easy to learn due to the sheer simplicity of it all. However, not much has been added this time around and the main game really boils down to just mashing buttons, defeating enemy Pokemon, and moving to the next area to do it all over again. Pokemon Rumble was a nice addition to the WiiWare two years ago, but Rumble Blast could have done so much more on the 3DS and never hits it’s true potential due to lack of innovation. With a series as prestigious as Pokemon, a cartridge release simply deserved better.
