Antonblast
- December 3, 2024
- Summitsphere
- 152h median play time
ANTONBLAST is a sensational Wario style platformer with a flow unlike anything else, but you'll need to put the time in to master it.
"Antonblast" is a destructive action platformer where you play as Dynamite Anton or his coworker Annie, on a mission to defeat Satan and retrieve stolen Spirit collectibles. To do so, you must set detonators, find the Spirit, and escape before Happy Hour ends in each level. The game features fast-paced gameplay, massive destructible environments, brutal bosses, and an urban graffiti-inspired art style. Experiment with different playstyles, from rushing through levels to exploring.
Reviews
- Antonblast is a chaotic and fun platformer that combines elements from Wario Land and Crash Bandicoot, delivering a unique and engaging experience.
- The game features stunning visuals, a fantastic soundtrack, and a humorous narrative that keeps players entertained throughout.
- The controls are tight and responsive, allowing for fluid movement and satisfying gameplay, making it a joy to explore the levels and defeat bosses.
- The game can be visually overwhelming at times, with excessive screen clutter and effects that make it difficult to track the player's character.
- Some levels and bosses have a steep difficulty spike, which may frustrate players, especially those who are not experienced with platformers.
- Certain mechanics and transformations are not well explained, leading to confusion and a trial-and-error approach that can detract from the overall experience.
- music194 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its energetic and diverse soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Composed by Tony Grayson, the music is described as "phenomenal," "kickass," and "a banger," effectively capturing the chaotic and nostalgic vibes reminiscent of classic platformers. The combination of catchy tunes, dynamic soundtracks that adapt to gameplay, and high-quality sound design contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The music is fantastic along with the art that oozes style.”
“The presentation is an incredible spectacle that checks all of the boxes for me, smooth but also sharp & impactful art & animation that's always a joy to look at, hilarious voice performances that will echo in your mind for who knows how long, a nigh-endlessly excellent soundtrack, & sound design that sells everything that's going on & brings it to the next level.”
“The music is phenomenal and encapsulates the level you're currently playing in.”
“The music, oh god.”
“Overall the music, visuals, animations etc. are all really good but I just didn't have fun playing it and was planning on finishing it before posting this review but I was just too frustrated to do so.”
“Audio mixing - I constantly found myself adjusting the sound settings because the sound effects and music really fight for your attention, it's hard to hear both at the same time and the default settings do not sound right (on headphones at least).”
- gameplay185 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Antonblast is widely praised for its fast-paced, chaotic, and addictive nature, drawing inspiration from classic platformers like Wario Land and Crash Bandicoot. Players appreciate the tight controls, engaging mechanics, and unique level designs that keep the experience fresh and challenging, although some express frustration with difficulty spikes and confusing mechanics. Overall, the game combines impressive visuals, a bombastic soundtrack, and a sense of humor, making it a standout title in the platforming genre.
“The gameplay is fun and challenging, and racing back to the start of the level during happy hour got my heart thumping a few times.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced, the bosses are creative, and the only real issue I have so far is with one of the bosses.”
“The gameplay is chaotic, intense, and fun, while also being pretty darn challenging (I mean it's a Crash Bandicoot inspired game, so difficulty is to be expected).”
“Every level mechanic is unwieldy and impossible to get a wrangle on, and when the game demands precision platforming, its moveset does nothing but become impossible to control.”
“The game is designed for pace - every move or mechanic is intended to launch you at high speed, but the levels require backtracking and predicting secret positions that feel unfair to expect from a player.”
“Many of this game's strong points are bogged down heavily by confusing design decisions that make moment-to-moment gameplay feel awkward and infuriating.”
- graphics106 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and charming art style, which evokes a nostalgic 90s cartoon aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the smooth animations, engaging visuals, and attention to detail, creating a visually stimulating experience that complements the fast-paced gameplay. However, some players noted that the visuals can occasionally be overstimulating or difficult to parse, but overall, the artistic direction is considered a standout feature of the game.
“The art style is extremely charming, and the animation is incredibly smooth.”
“The visuals are explosive, and the gameplay is bombastic.”
“The graphics are beautifully animated and give off strong vibes of early 2000's cartoons that would constantly make you ask yourself, 'How did they get away with this?', all topped off with an incredibly funky soundtrack that made me stop playing multiple times just so I could listen to it.”
“I think the only thing that holds it back is that while it's definitely given a lot of love in the visual department, at times said visuals can be incredibly overstimulating.”
“This makes the pixelated art style really hard to read for me personally, and kind of ruins a little bit of the charm.”
“Just to name a few of the issues I've encountered: graphical bug in the mini boss rooms where the black explosion graphic is put over the screen around where the floor is making it hard to see both Anton and the boss.”
- humor71 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Antonblast" is widely praised for its quirky, chaotic, and nostalgic charm, reminiscent of 90s cartoons, with many players finding it genuinely hilarious and engaging. The game features a mix of crude jokes, clever gags, and memorable character interactions that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout in the platformer genre. While some critiques mention moments where the humor may detract from gameplay, the majority agree that the comedic elements significantly contribute to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
“I especially love how the story is essentially 'you are a drunk alcoholic with a big hammer who got the attention of Satan himself just because you are more red than him' because I find stories like that to be hilarious.”
“The game's animation style really shines thanks to its humor being a solid mix of both hilarious old inside jokes and late-night cartoon gags.”
“The humor is quirky.”
- story23 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story of the game is characterized as humorous and charming, featuring a unique premise where a drunken character captures Satan's attention due to his vibrant red color. Players appreciate the short yet entertaining narrative, complemented by engaging characters and a whimsical art style. Overall, the story is seen as a delightful addition to the fast-paced gameplay, with many finding it both silly and memorable.
“The story was also charming, along with the voice acting in this game.”
“The story is short but awesome; it has Satan stealing spirits from a random dude because he's more red than him.”
“The story is simple because it doesn't need to be anything else, and it's damn funny too.”
“What story?”
“The story is pretty short and sweet.”
“The most disturbing thing about this story was that Anton was obsessed with balls; his fantasy was to blast balls all over the screen.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse modes, including time trials and combo challenges, as well as numerous collectibles and unique level designs. Players appreciate the engaging boss fights and the variety of ways to replay levels, although some find the lengthy stages can make revisiting them feel tedious. Overall, the combination of fun mechanics, a captivating soundtrack, and hidden secrets contributes to a strong incentive for players to return.
“Its also got a lot of replay value because of the time trial and combo modes that are in each level, as well as many secrets and character palettes you can collect.”
“However, there are three ways to play a level after you beat it (arcade, combo, time trial), so there is more than enough replay value if you want to go for 100%.”
“Amazing graphics, great gameplay, and high replayability value make for one incredible game.”
“However, long stages have a bit of an issue with replayability in that remembering everything you have to do is very tough, and blink-and-you'll-miss-it secrets and obstacles mean that if you miss a secret or die, you're going to have to go through all that again.”
“This, again, would not normally be a problem, encouraging replayability is fine and all, but the game kind of drags you through the stages so much I really don't want to bother playing them again.”
“While there are multiple ways to play a level after you beat it (arcade, combo, time trial), the overall experience can feel repetitive, making it hard to stay motivated for 100% completion.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting feelings of ecstasy and empowerment upon completing challenging levels, despite some frustrations with difficulty and lack of checkpoints. The nostalgic vibe reminiscent of classic indie games adds to the overall enjoyment, while humorous elements, such as character design, evoke a range of feelings. Overall, the game successfully elicits positive emotions, making players feel accomplished and engaged.
“After playing Antonblast for a few hours, I can, with pure confidence, say that this game made me feel absolutely ecstatic.”
“Never has an indie game made me feel like I was actually playing a hidden gem on the PS2 or the Wii.”
“The levels so far have all been fun to play through, not a single level so far that has made me feel frustrated unlike most platformers, I'd say.”
- character development7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by fantastic character designs and voice acting that effectively convey personalities and relationships, enhancing the overall narrative experience. Players appreciate the strong thematic elements and interactions that make the characters feel dynamic and engaging, akin to watching a well-crafted episode.
“Theming and character design go hard.”
“The character designs, personalities, and their interactions all come together to really make it feel like you're just watching an episode.”
“Theming and character design are impressive.”
“I love the character designs, enemy designs, and levels.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
While the game's presentation, art, and sound design are widely praised as exceptional, some users report optimization issues, including mild stuttering and display problems on high-end PCs. Despite these minor bugs, the overall experience remains enjoyable and engaging, with standout voice performances enhancing the gameplay.
“Overall, a complete and utter masterpiece that everyone involved should be extremely proud of; you all delivered nothing but peak performance!”
“The presentation is an incredible spectacle that checks all of the boxes for me: smooth yet sharp and impactful art and animation that's always a joy to look at, hilarious voice performances that will echo in your mind for who knows how long, a nigh-endlessly excellent soundtrack, and sound design that elevates everything that's going on.”
“Voicework and dialogue really add to this a ton, especially with Satan's absolutely delightful performance by Gianni.”
“🔲 PC with i9 10900k + 2x RTX 3090 (poorly optimized game)”
“Some tiny bugs here and there can occur; I've experienced mild stuttering to broken full-screen with the game only taking a quarter of my screen, fixed by a reboot, alongside some weird game interactions with gimmicks, but nothing game-breaking.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, players have reported significant bugs and collision issues, particularly in certain levels, which can detract from the experience.
“Fantastic game! I've been playing on the Steam Deck, and it runs great on it.”
“The game runs smoothly and provides a stable experience, even during challenging moments.”
“I've had no crashes or major issues; the stability of the game is impressive.”
“This is so buggy and not easy to play.”
“Some levels, particularly the one with the monkeys, are still a bit undercooked and buggy.”
“There are buggy collisions in certain areas.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is characterized by a vibrant and nostalgic 90s aesthetic, featuring bold and attention-grabbing advertising that aligns with its energetic design. Players find the promotional elements to be both accurate and reflective of the game's chaotic style.
“The advertisements didn't lie.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express a strong preference for shorter, more engaging levels over lengthy and tedious grinding experiences, often describing the gameplay as frustrating and janky.
“I'd rather if a game had small, memorable levels rather than long and tedious ones.”
“In my experience, the levels are obnoxious, and the gameplay is annoying, janky, tedious, or all of it.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by unique and engaging levels, complemented by fantastic music and sound design that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate how the audio elements and environmental details contribute to the immersive feel of the game.
“The levels are unique and very fun; there is a great atmosphere, fantastic music, and sound design.”
“The music, the attacks, the atmosphere—everything contributes to an immersive experience.”
“The music, the attacks, the atmosphere, everything feels disjointed and lacks cohesion.”
“The overall atmosphere is bland and fails to immerse me in the game world.”
“The environment feels lifeless, making it hard to get invested in the game's story.”
Critic Reviews
ANTONBLAST (PC) Review
ANTONBLAST is silly, chaotic, eclectic and above all FUN!
90%Antonblast Review
Undoubtedly, Antonblast is one of those few platformers you'll remember for ages. It has this chaotic energy that somehow draws you in and refuses to let up until the end.
80%Antonblast (PC) Review
Antonblast is a blast, literally. Its high-octane platforming meets speedrunning is a love letter to everything Wario fans love and have wanted for years, but highly more profane and chaotic in all the right ways. Summitsphere’s platformer is not one to miss, folks.
95%