Bulb Boy

 Xbox One
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. XBLA Fans
    Nov 22, 2017
    80
    Despite a few issues with bugs, I enjoyed my time spent with Bulb Boy. On first appearances, it seems a little childish, but soon the trippy horror sections take you to a darker and deeper place. It is a relatively short game and can probably be completed in around two hours, or a little more if you want to go back and unlock any missable achievements, however, it is priced appropriately, and it would be a shame to miss this hidden curio.
  2. TheXboxHub
    Oct 10, 2017
    80
    You’ll have to be a fan of the puzzler genre, need to be used to the slow rhythm of a point and clicker, and be prepared for the strange and the unusual, but if you’re up for that, or are a fan of games like Mr Pumpkin Adventure, then you will love Bulb Boy.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Jan 2, 2018
    9
    Point and click adventures are something you either love or hate and pretty much all of the different point and click games feel the same, butPoint and click adventures are something you either love or hate and pretty much all of the different point and click games feel the same, but Bulb Boy has a different feel about it. This game is strange and loveable at the same time and it resonates uniqueness throughout its gameplay, which is great. The puzzles in the game may be quite easy to complete, but it still didn’t stop them from captivating me. Each puzzle is very cleverly designed and it’s accompanied by some very intriguing gameplay. This game is like no other I’ve played before and the strangeness shines through throughout your time with the game, and this makes the gameplay very enjoyable. The characters in the game are also very strange but for some reason I grew very fond of them and I think that’s because of their fantastic mannerisms and style. My only real gripe with the game is that the controls can be a little sluggish at times, but thankfully this only really happens at the end of puzzles. The other gripe is not really a gripe but I wish there was a little more replay value because I wanted more, and that’s a testament to how good and unique the game is. The presentation side of the game is awesome. Visually the darkness and illuminated areas create a thrilling and sometimes eerie experience, and when you combine this with the fantastic and on point sound design then you really end up having an immersive experience. At the end of the day when Bulb Boy was first announced I just thought it would be another generic point and click adventure, but thankfully this game proved me wrong at every turn. I can’t remember the last time I was so immersed in a game in this particular genre, and I can’t remember the last time a game in this genre gave me this much fun and uniqueness both together. If your a fan of puzzle games with a unique style then Bulb Boy is a must buy, and it gets a huge thumbs up from me.… Full Review »
  2. GBG_Jason
    Oct 6, 2017
    10
    I grew up during the Nick Toon boom in the early 90’s, and I loved every series featured. To this day, I am in awe of some of the things theyI grew up during the Nick Toon boom in the early 90’s, and I loved every series featured. To this day, I am in awe of some of the things they got away with in a kids show. Sadly, most kids today will never be able to experience the joy of Rocko at his phone sex operator position or Ren and Stimpy beating each other within an inch of their lives. Bulb Boy clearly took inspiration from these series, with its abstract design and light take on some pretty dark horror elements.

    You’ll begin your journey as the title character, Bulb Boy, who lives in a small house with his grandfather and dog-fly hybrid. After taking care of the narcoleptic grandpa, the boy puts himself to bed and the horror begins. He awakens in a slightly more abstract version of home and from the get go, things are off, even more so than the opening.

    Playing much like a point and click adventure, similar to the exploration elements of the Telltale game series, you’ll navigate light puzzles to work your way through the house and battle a number of boss characters. There are some platforming elements as well, navigating traps as the titular character with his detachable head. These are well designed and while not nearly as challenging as Limbo or Little Nightmares (review on Metacritic and Garage Band Gamers), they do require some trial and error, but are not nearly as dependent on timing. Even when dying repeatedly, the game never became frustrating or felt unfair. Luckily the load times are quick and the checkpoints are frequent.

    Since Bulb Boy’s head is made from a light bulb, he has the handy ability to provide his own light source throughout his journey, as well as the ability to remove his head and screw it into a number of other creatures or their corpses. These abilities cannot be swapped, as they are a means to completing your objectives, which are mainly puzzle based. Some of the puzzles are not obvious and do require a bit of exploration, looking for small arrows above the items or characters you can interact with. If you do get stuck, there is a handy hint tool that is optional and can be found in the pause menu. While I did use it a handful of times in my playthrough, the puzzles and design are easy enough to usually determine what is needed to be done, even without a detailed tutorial and no verbal queues.

    The controls are very basic and responsive, making this easy to navigate for gamers of all skill levels. While some events are timed, your brain will be getting more of a workout than your fingers. You’ll control Bulb Boy or a member of his family with the left stick, swap items with the bumpers, and select, use, or interact with the A button.

    The art design is top notch. While everything is abstract, Bulb Boy looks and plays like a Saturday morning cartoon of my childhood. Filled with a deep green or red tint, the setting is spooky enough to set the tone of the game without going overboard and being too scary for the younger gamers. My son sat with me throughout the time I spent playing this game, as if he was watching a cartoon, completely enthralled in the game world and it never reached the point of it scaring him.

    The boss fights are a highlight of the game, featuring enemies straight from a child’s nightmare. You’ll square off against giant light bulb eating turkeys, a strawberry spider plant hybrid, as well as your own gigantic turd. The last has successfully toppled the giant spider crab (Narcosis review on Garage Band Gamers) as my arch nemesis from any horror game. Defeating these enemies requires interacting with the environment in a specific order while dodging or avoiding their attacks. With the exception of the lackluster final encounter, which plays like a rhythm mini game that overstays its welcome, all are enjoyable.

    The game does fall on the short side, but with its modest price point I didn’t feel this was an issue. At the cost of less than a movie ticket, you’ll find a few hours’ worth of enjoyment. Sadly, there is not much replay value aside from collecting the standard achievements. Aside from completing these, there is not much of a reason to return to the game once it has reached its finale. With this being the only shortcoming, I highly recommend that you purchase this game during the Halloween season. While not nearly as terrifying as Outlast or Resident Evil 7, it does offer some spooky fun fit for gamers of most ages.

    With the exception of the bugs you will see in the background or interact with, Bulb Boy has been 100% glitch free. In this day and age, a game without issues is something we rarely see. I received my copy for review almost a week early, and without a single post launch update, this game ran seamlessly. In the age of day one updates, I tip my hat to Bulbware for releasing something finished and great from the start.    … Full Review »
  3. ColeyBear
    Oct 19, 2017
    10
    Bulb Boy is a delightfully disturbing point-and-click adventure title, for a bargain price. The game is relatively short, but intriguing andBulb Boy is a delightfully disturbing point-and-click adventure title, for a bargain price. The game is relatively short, but intriguing and surprising the whole way through. I highly recommend giving this title a chance if you want to play something a little different.… Full Review »
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