Pang Adventures, the newest release by DotEmu, is a sequel to the classic arcade game Buster Bros that was released in 1989 by Capcom. In thePang Adventures, the newest release by DotEmu, is a sequel to the classic arcade game Buster Bros that was released in 1989 by Capcom. In the original game you had to travel the world popping giant bubbles that were attacking the planet. The sequel builds on the story, game play, and overall experience.
You play as one of the Pang brothers, using a variety of weapons to thwart the alien invasion. The game features 3 different modes - Tour, Score Attack, and Panic Mode, but only Tour mode is available when you start to play. The game starts out in Bora Bora where you must pop large bubbles that will then split. Once they do, they will split again when hit, and only then can you destroy the small bubbles for good. The objective of each level is to clear all the bubbles, reach the target score, and of course, not die. You will get a stamp for completing the level and 2 more for reaching the target score in both single and multiplayer.
But the game would be far to easy if all you had to do was pop the invading bubbles. After the first level a clock is introduced, so you must now complete levels before time runs out. As you progress, your foes get harder as well. Electricity is added to the mix. If you hit one of these bubbles with your harpoon and are still near the rope you will be zapped and die. Exploding bubbles, bubbles filled with lava, and timed bubbles will all make you think on your feet as you try and dodge and destroy them. You will also have to contend with bird that will alter bounce paths, and drop eggs that will stun you if they hit you, or leave a goo on the ground that will slow your movement.
Once you complete Bora Bora - there are 15 levels and a boss fight, you will head off to Death Valley for more action. There are at least half a dozen locations for you to battle in for tour mode, each ending with a progressively harder boss. In addition to your new sun baked locale, after besting the Bora Bora boss, you will unlock Panic Mode.
In Panic Mode you are given 3 lives to try and progress through 99 levels of bubble bouncing insanity. You must protect totems as they crop up from being destroyed. You can gain extra lives in this mode by reaching certain score marks, and with the abundance of enemies you face, it is pretty easy to recover lives that you lose. That does not mean you will have an easy time playing Panic Mode. The number of bubbles increases and it will test your skills if you play it solo or with a friend.
The final game mode is Score Attack. Once again you get 3 lives to complete your objective. To unlock this mode you must complete Tour Mode. In Score Attack you will replay the levels in Tour Mode, in order, starting in Bora Bora. You start out with 3 lives and try to make it through all 96 levels - including the bosses. As with Panic Mode, you can earn extra lives as you increase your score - usually every 1/4 million points or so. If you are playing with a friend and go down without an extra life, your partner can revive you. If you are down at the end of the round with no more lives, your partner will continue the quest solo. The other main difference between Score Attack and Tour Mode is that there is no clock. You can take your time to be more accurate with your shots, and clear the levels at your own pace. Just remember that you will get a bonus for faster completions.
The graphics in Pang Adventures are bright, colorful, an truly invoke an arcade feel. Each of the more than half dozen weapons is well drawn and easily recognizable the second that it appears on screen. The music style is very peppy and goes well with each of the locations. It will also have you bouncing along with the alien invasion as you go further and further into Panic Mode.
Pang Adventures features 10 achievements on the XB1, 9 on Steam, and 9 trophies for PS4. XB1 users have the additional achievement of eating 20,000 calories - which is garnered for certain items that drop for bonus points. Many of the trophies / achievements are fairly easy to earn - there is even a Freebie, but some will require work and good timing. There are also 2 that will require you to play with another person. The 1st is reviving a downed player, and the other is acquiring all the stamps in Tour Mode.… Expand
