Sometimes a game formula is so refined that “remake” is nearly synonymous with “re-release”. Arkanoid Plus! is an intended “remake” of Taito’s classic series, but just how enhanced is it compared to its predecessors, especially when the formula is over two decades old?
If you’ve ever played an Arkanoid title before – or even if you merely look at the screenshots – you know exactly what to expect from Arkanoid Plus!. The top of the playing field is covered in blocks, and you control a paddle on the bottom of the screen. After launching a ball, you must play a game of lonely tennis until the ball has bounced into and shattered each of the blocks. If the ball falls below your paddle, you lose a life. Run out of lives and it’s game over.
With the above description alone, the Arkanoid series sounds like a pitiless clone of the classic Breakout series, but Arkanoid adds something more to the formula: powerups and enemies. As you destroy blocks, occasionally a powerup will fall towards you that grants various abilities such as lasers you can fire at the blocks, magnetism so the ball sticks to you instead of rebounds, and a ball that explodes into a dozen other balls.
The enemies, on the other hand, don’t quite have as much effect on the gameplay. In fact, they don’t pose a threat at all. The ball will bounce off them, effectively killing them, but they can do no direct harm to your paddle. Thankfully they can be turned off in the options menu.
As you progress through the 60 stages included with the initial download (an additional 60 stages can be purchased for 200 points), not a whole lot changes other than the way the blocks are stacked on the top of the screen, with a boss battle thrown in at the end. For that reason, Arkanoid Plus! is best played in short bursts to avoid the “been there, done that” sensation.
Apart from the 60-stage Arcade mode, Arkanoid Plus! features a Time Attack mode where you must complete a set number of stages as quickly as possible, and competitive multiplayer where each player competes to clear his field before his opponent accomplishes the same.
Given that Arkanoid Plus! is a remake, the visuals are a bit underwhelming. Taito hasn’t changed much from the original game; the blocks are clean single-colored squares and the paddle is a basic metal tube. Taito wasn’t quite as lazy with the music, though, as the techno remixes of original Arkanoid tunes are catchy and a treat to listen to.
There isn’t much to say about Arkanoid Plus! since it’s such a simple game. Taito didn’t add anything new to the formula, but Arkanoid Plus! will provide straightforward arcade entertainment in short bursts, as long as you don’t go in expecting a revolutionary experience.
