The genre of first-person shooters used to be so straightforward! All you had to do was pick a team, select your class, and away you go. Now, I’m all for evolution as it keeps the genre alive and ensures players return for more. Yet, I’m not so sure adding physics-based mechanics is the way forward. However, here I am looking at Bouncy Bullets 2 and its crazy manipulative ways.
Developed by Petite Games and published by Ratalaika Games, this is a physics-based FPS. You must work your way through forty-plus levels of increasing difficulty. To make matters worse, you must consider every opponent you face and the surrounding environment if you wish to succeed.
Bouncy Bullets 2 is not your standard shooter.
I admit I used to love first-person shooters, and I was addicted to COD 4. Yet, my reactions have slowed and I don’t enjoy getting my arse handed to me. Subsequently, I’ve left the genre alone for a considerable time, as my enjoyment has somewhat dwindled. However, not one to back down from a challenge, I thought I’d give this single-player title a shot.
Luckily, its slower-paced mechanics and labyrinthine levels negate my snail-like reactions. Your only time pressure is the ever-present clock that ticks away in the corner. This constant reminder adds a fine layer of pressure that is oddly enjoyable. Unlike many of its peers, the standard shooting mechanics are a little unusual. Enemies vary in colour, and you must shoot specific rounds or bounce bullets off walls to annihilate them.
Traps, obstacles, and maze-like stages.
It’s unusual to blend the FPS genre with a challenging maze-like puzzle experience. However, Bouncy Bullets 2 has succeeded. Its simple shooting mechanics rely on you attacking specific coloured enemies with matching bullets. You’ll face yellow, pink, and black foes en route to becoming victorious. You are armed with yellow and pink bullets and you must ricochet shots off walls to kill your black opponents. This can be horribly challenging, as it’s tough to shoot, dodge, and move at the same time.
Alongside the difficult shooting elements, you must work your way through the maze-like levels. This is easier said than done, as you must avoid water, flames, lasers, circular saws, bullets, and leap chasms to get to the end portal. With projectiles flying past your head, you must focus on carving a path and surviving. It tests your patience and ability whilst also being fun.
Bouncy Bullets 2 is colourful but dated.
Few indie titles push graphics to their limits, and sadly, Bouncy Bullets 2 isn’t one of them. Its basic and blocky design is vivid and will catch your eye. Yet, this doesn’t mask its dated nature. However, this wasn’t an issue, as the labyrinthine levels were enjoyable to explore. With multiple floors being utilised, you must scan all around you to stay alive. The stages are brilliantly thought out, and this adds to the game’s difficulty. I lost my sense of direction repeatedly and I cursed the developers many times.
The damning nature of the core concept isn’t reflected in the jovial audio. The upbeat soundtrack will make you smile as you scream in frustration. It was a strange choice from the developers, but it did make me chuckle. The sound effects are very basic and just about match the actions you complete. Unfortunately, the audio didn’t wow me, but it’s perfectly serviceable and no worse than other indie titles.
Sluggish controls make jumping tough.
When jumping gaps is a key component of the gameplay, you’d expect it to be spot on. However, the slow to respond controls cause you to fall to your death repeatedly. Subsequently, the already hard gameplay is just a bit tougher! Fortunately, however, aiming and shooting your weapons are easily achieved and moving is pretty smooth. If the developers could improve the jumping command, then the game would be improved vastly.
Forty-plus levels of varying difficulties are a great return for such a small outlay. The challenging stages will keep you playing for hours, yet the achievement list is completed in around sixty minutes. Thankfully, this doesn’t impact the replay value as a fun speedrun mode and hidden collectables test you and keep you playing.
Bouncy Bullets 2 is a tough and colourful affair that’ll test your patience.
Bouncy Bullets 2 drove me mad because of its tough gameplay and maze-like stages. Yet, I admired it for its interesting mechanics that’ll test your patience. It’s great value for money and I recommend you to buy it here! Shoot your foes, find the collectables, and get to the portal.
