29-Nov-2002 Originality sets the Xbox back on track Originality sets the Xbox back on track
Sonic co-creator Naoto Ohshima seems to have done it again: he's created Blinx, one of the most original platform titles to come along in ages... and it's an Xbox exclusive. Bet that will have narked some of his former mentors at Sega.
Our feline hero Blinx lives in a parallel world where cats roam around on two legs and produce time crystals that make up the universe. If production stops, we literally run out of time.
Our little kitty is a time-janitor who must clean up all the pesky monsters that appear after a time-fabric distortion occurs. So when a gang of terrorist pigs start to steal crystals, putting world B1Q64 in jeopardy, it's down to Blinx to save the day. It's a mighty good thing he's as brave as a lion. Roar!
PUZZLED PUSSY The platform game that ensues is big on puzzles. Blinx sucks up special icons with his Time Sweeper, a Luigi's Mansion-style vacuum cleaner, and once he's collected enough, his furry paws can manipulate time at will (although he can only hold three time controls at once).
By recording your every move during a level, the Xbox can do things that no other console could. For instance, if an essential bridge has fallen down, you can hit rewind to watch it de-collapse in front of your eyes. Or maybe, if there are two switches that need to be pressed down at once, record yourself pushing down the first one, then play back the ghost while you click the other one into place.
It's cool time-distorting stuff and although some of the early puzzles seem to be blatantly obvious, they become increasingly testing as the game develops.
SUCK IT AND SEE The multi-functioning sucking machine also sucks up objects and spits them back at enemies. You'll almost burst with joy from chucking a barrel at a little blob, or a bomb into the mouth of one of the game's more interesting enemies later in the game.
But you won't find gooey ectoplasm all over the walls because, from the tinny music to the sweet characters, this game is as cute as can be. Sometimes the sappiness grates, but the overall presentation is top-notch - the worlds are small but beautiful, with the tilted lines of the old Warner Bros. cartoons.
There are some minor problems, though. Our feline friend is so slow he looks as though he's walking on ice. This is okay on later levels, where there's a denser puzzle structure, but when you have to replay levels to get extra items, you'll want to stamp on his hairy tail.
Another gripe is over the camera, which can be very annoying, restricting your view and making some puzzles unnecessarily difficult.
Despite these foibles, Blinx is a game that every Xbox owner should get. There's so little variety on the console that when a game this original comes along, you should grab it with both paws - despite its occasional flaws.
Jimmy Francis
// Overview
Verdict
This title is original, wicked fun and with lots to unlock it should keep you interested for ages. We can't wait to see how the series develops.
Time is, unsurprisingly, the most important element in the game. You have five skills at your disposal: rewind, fast forward, pause, record and slow-mo, that allow you to mess with the clock and complete puzzles that will test your brain to breaking point.
Slow everything down. Excellent for killing several enemies at once
Record yourself and play it back to see two Blinxes in tandem
Stop everything in its tracks, and get to new areas previously cut off
Speed it all up and get yourself to the level exit quickly
Turn back the clock to rewind events that have occurred around you
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