The Splatters

 Xbox 360
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. XGN
    Apr 29, 2012
    70
    Is The Splatters a good game? On a certain level: yes. It feels great to fire creepily laughing slimeblogs. The difficulty however leads to an incredibly tedious gameplay experience. Simply said, this game is not suited for everyone. You're warned.
  2. Games.cz
    Apr 27, 2012
    70
    Spiky Snail's first work will wake up your brain cells, and if the game mechanics were more comprehensible and more straightforward, it could be an even more truly addicting game.
  3. ZTGD
    Apr 19, 2012
    70
    The Splatters is a solid game that simply didn't capture my attention. That doesn't mean it won't capture yours. I highly recommend checking out the demo and deciding if this is your type of puzzle game. On a strictly functional level, the game does everything right, and it does it well. It is hard to fault a game that has nothing structurally nothing wrong, but to me, The Splatters just lacked that magic to make it my next addiction.
  5. Joystiq
    Apr 18, 2012
    70
    Doing tricks and nailing tough shots can be rewarding, and the movement and sliding of the Splatters helps it feel more unique than the multitude of Angry Birds clones out there. The simplicity of the mechanics, however, doesn't always translate to addictive gameplay, and you may soon grow tired of performing the same actions over and over again, especially when it feels that success is owed more to luck than skill.
  6. GameSpot
    Apr 9, 2012
    70
    The enjoyable and derivative The Splatters proves that slime can get just as physical as any angry avians you might know.
  7. Eurogamer Spain
    Apr 30, 2012
    60
    Five or six years ago The Splatters could have been one of the most addictive games on Xbox Live Arcade, but nowadays there are much better options.
  8. Cheat Code Central
    Apr 25, 2012
    60
    Despite the large number of levels, the similarity of each experience breeds monotony, and there simply isn't enough to the core gameplay to justify either the amount of content or the price tag attached to it. It overstays its welcome.
  9. Eurogamer Germany
    Apr 25, 2012
    60
    If you get along with the trial and error concept, you may get some enjoyment out of The Splatters.
  10. Eurogamer Sweden
    Apr 20, 2012
    60
    Chaining together long stunts to take out bombs in style while simultaneously racking up huge points can be satisfying, but repetition soon sets in. With the slightly imprecise controls, one-screen levels and play suited for shorter sessions The Splatters would feel more at home on a mobile device than the TV screen.
  11. Giant Bomb
    Apr 13, 2012
    60
    Feels like some lost XBLA title from 2006, like it just wandered in from the cold after years adrift at sea, totally unaware of what's happened in the six years that transpired since. Its insubstantial puzzle mechanics and generally bare-bones presentation are the stuff of yesteryear, somehow transplanted into a time that's all but forgotten that games like it ever existed.
  12. Metro GameCentral
    Apr 12, 2012
    60
    It certainly won't be troubling Angry Birds in terms of the number of downloads but this is an amiable, if derivative and repetitive, action puzzler all the same.
  13. GamesRadar+
    Apr 10, 2012
    60
    Provides a decent distraction for a few hours, but the $10 (800 MS points) price tag is a bit steep for a fairly simple puzzler. Aside from Master Shots mode, some neat physics, and the fact that you're playing with goo, the rest of the game gets dragged down by the lack of variety and overly straightforward gameplay.
  14. Impulsegamer
    Jun 18, 2012
    52
    The Splatters turns out to be an interesting past time experiment in goo enshrouded physics. Played in short bouts it can be fun, but players may find loss of interest over time.
  15. DarkStation
    Apr 24, 2012
    50
    It just falls flat, showing small signs of life, but otherwise just not worth your time.
  16. Gamereactor Sweden
    Apr 19, 2012
    50
    A lot of charm and plenty of levels, but the frustration and mundanity soon kicks in.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. Xborn74
    Apr 11, 2012
    8
    "The Splatters" is an XBLA game developed by SpikySnail Games, and produced by Microsft which costs 800ms points.

    The game is very    "The Splatters" is an XBLA game developed by SpikySnail Games, and produced by Microsft which costs 800ms points.

    The game is very reminiscent of a classic and popular game, Peggle, mixed with the new games that deal with physical, being a good and addictive game option: you use gelatinous creatures that are thrown, being slip and spilled into the structures of the stages, to clear of them of bombs. Particularly, in everything from gameplay and presentation, to the general structure of the menus reminded me of one more game for iPhone / iPhone and other derivatives, than consoles themselves, though it can play perfectly on them.

    The game musics are lively, made with synthesizers, much like Peggle in this aspect (the way they are made and themselves - but without the music by Beethoven): the sounds are well done too, with creatures shouting happily to be thrown among funny noises.

    The game features graphics and graphical effects (like slow motion) very similar to Peggle too: the details in the graphics are in the structures mostly in front of the screen, while the backgrounds have a blurry look. It is also nice to see an effect of fragmentation on the bombs, after destroying them, which seems fine glitter in the screen.

    Although not spectacular graphically, the foundations of the game are in the gameplay, which makes it a great casual puzzle / action game: you use a virtual slingshot, which is used with the analog stick to aim and throw the creatures, according with force, that you determine by the time you press the A in the controller.

    More ahead of the game, the creatures develop new powers to diversify what we can do besides throw them, such as changing the gravity and rewind time, as well as having special maneuvers such as changing the direction of your motion, reverse the direction in which all fly in the screen, etc.. - and everything counts to perform combos, that increase the final score - just like hitting two different sets of pumps with the same gelatin.

    At the end of each stage, you are graded according to your performance (points), from 1 to 3 stars, and these grades will release new stages and characters features to play - all account for achieving this, as special maneuvers and combos performed, as well as how many golden gelatin's you catch, while you slide and fly in the scenario (which is limited to the same screen).

    The big problem is that the game after a while ends up being repetitive, because the action comes down to the same thing, just changing the stages and game modes, although having new abilities to use in the cleared stages to get the maximum score. Nevertheless, it's a nice choice for a puzzle game: my score is 8.3 / 10.0.    … Full Review »
  2. electriclight41
    Jun 3, 2013
    8
    Featuring elements from different puzzles games like Peggle and Angry Birds, The Splatters is a fun and unique diversion. It's easy to pick upFeaturing elements from different puzzles games like Peggle and Angry Birds, The Splatters is a fun and unique diversion. It's easy to pick up and play a couple quick puzzles, or you can focus on conquering a series of harder ones. The momentum-changing mechanic is an interesting way to solve stages, though some are frustrating. Once you do beat them, they're satisfying. Definitely worth downloading.… Full Review »
  3. Darkholegames
    Jun 28, 2012
    8
    The Splatters is a fun mind puzzle game. The objective is to complete each stage by sending your colored explosive paint like blobs intoThe Splatters is a fun mind puzzle game. The objective is to complete each stage by sending your colored explosive paint like blobs into certain objects that are placed throughout the map.The Splatters is a Xbox Live Arcade game made by SpikySnail. You can purchase this game off the Xbox Live Arcade Marketplace for just 800MSP ($10.00). Lets break down this game full of craziness.

    ​Gameplay / Stages: Each stage has more than one round. At the beginning of each stage you will be presented with instructions on how to play that current stage. During each of the rounds the objects on the stage will change. If you are to unable to clear the stage you will be presented with a cheat sheet. It will show you exactly how to pass the level. TIP: using the level is key

    ​Controls: The controls are very simple. You use your (L) analog stick to control which way the yellow arrow points. The yellow arrow is like your guide to where you want the blob to go. Next you use the (A) button to power up and release your blob and watch it splatter all over the stage in many awesome ways.

    ​Characters / Blobs: Each round and stage has different color blobs that are always smiling. They show no fear haha.

    ​Abilities: During certain stages you will be introduced to new and challenging ways to complete the stage. For example: Air Strike. This is where you direct your yellow arrow where you want to go, hit A then hit A again while directing the second yellow arrow to a new direction, but you have to it in a split second and at the right moment otherwise you fail and have to try again. Yeah it gets much harder as you progress haha.

    ​Design / Levels: The design starts out very simple and slightly get a little harder. What really makes them challenging is the content within and the abilities you are given for that current stage.

    Interface: Very simple concept. You have your main screen which shows your score and next to that is your combo multiplayer. See simple :)

    Abilities: I know we touched this aspect before, but the idea behind giving the blobs abilities is pure genius. It brings a real challenge to the game and makes the player use their mind. It is also fun to just play around with the ability on certain stages and not care to complete the level because you get to see your blob do funny movements.

    ​Overview: This game is pure genius, worth every penny & is a 9/10. If your looking for a family friendly mind puzzle time killing game-gasm then this is your game. No game or level will ever play the same and you are offered so much in the full game version. I highly recommend you purchase this game because you will never want to stop playing; I promise you. SpikySnail did an amazing job on this and I hope to see more of their work in the future.    … Full Review »
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