Shatter Remastered Deluxe mini-review

Thirteen years after the game’s PlayStation 3 release, Shatter Remaster Deluxe improves on one of the best Breakout variants ever made.

Some might argue that the shoot ‘em up or first-person shooter genres are stagnant. But the Breakout clone has demonstrated scant evolution across its 40+ year history. Save for Arkanoid’s addition of power-ups, only 2009’s Shatter has attempted to truly innovate brick breaking. Last spring, the developers at PikPok (Agent Intercept, Dungeon Inc.) reinvigorated the PlayStation 3 title for mobile owners. Now, Shatter Remastered has been ported to consoles and PC, with the Deluxe edition flaunting physical controls, 4K resolutions, and a renovated soundtrack.

Like Breakout, Shatter Remastered Deluxe still requires players to destroy every block on each level to advance. But the title extends a handful of abilities to make the process feel fresh.  The most significant augmentation is the amusingly named, ‘suck’ and ‘blow’ mechanic, which allows players to subtly influence the trajectory of the ball with the controller triggers.

Although it seems like an insignificant addition, the powers dramatically change the feel of the game. Additionally, the player can use the inhalation ability to grab blue power-ups released when specific blocks are broken. Once players ingest enough of these blue shards, they can launch a gratifying ballistic barrage that lays waste to most of the on-screen impediments. Players can also launch multiple balls into the fray. Expectedly, this increases the intensity of the game, but rewards players with the potential for a scoring bonus. Of course, irresponsibly putting your balls in play can be a recipe for disaster.

The game’s difficulty is relaxed, offering plenty of opportunities to earn extra balls as well as a spot on the leaderboards. Shatter keeps track of the high score of every world, taunting you with an on-screen exhibition of the top score from your Nintendo friend list.

Challenge does occur in the title’s ten boss fights, which feature some interesting creations built from the game’s block set. Guiding the ball to an area where the orb rebounds into a foe’s weak point is surprisingly fun, especially when augmented by the game’s magnificent electronic soundtrack.

And unlike most brick breakers that tend to grow monotonous, Shatter consistently offers variation. From arenas of different shapes and varied block patterns, as well as bricks and other objects that all react differently when a collision is made, most of the game’s 71 stages feel distinct.

Beyond the story campaign, Remastered Deluxe also extends a multitude of supplemental modes. Endless and Time Attack are available as both solo and cooperative pursuits, with both a boss rush and bonus mode available once unlocked. Overall, there are at least ten hours of play, with score chasers conceivably excavating quite a bit more.

At ten dollars, Shatter is an easy recommendation, unless you have an aversion to brick breaking games. The game adds several elements to reinvigorate the venerable Breakout clone, and between the radiant high-resolution visuals and a house-driven, bass-filled soundtrack, it’s a sensory pleasing experience.  Shatter was engaging in 2009; thirteen years later it hasn’t lost an iota of appeal.

Shatter Remastered Deluxe was played on Switch
with review code provided by the publisher.