Video Game Review - Dyna Bomb

Rob reviews Dyna Bomb on Nintendo Switch...

Dyna Bomb is a strange hybrid between Bomberman and Super Mario. You'll utilise a jetpack to fly around the bite-sized levels whilst chucking bombs at everything that gets in your way. While Dyna Bomb offers some simplistic, arcade-style gameplay, it lacks any substance...

To begin with, Dyna Bomb is a straight-up port of a 6-year old Android game. To this extent, its mobile gaming heritage is pretty clear to see. Menus are unnecessarily difficult to navigate, and the game lacks any storyline - and even a multiplayer option.

The idea surrounding the core gameplay is pretty simple. You navigate around levels to look for a key that will open up the exit gate. Stages are also filled with multiple switches that will need to be pressed as well as enemies to defeat and plenty of shiny gems to collect. What makes the game challenging is that it operates a one-hit-kill mechanic, which sees you having to restart the level if you happen to die. To make things slightly easier, you're also able to use your collected wealth to buy temporary power-ups. These power-ups offer some variation, but their price is a bit over the top. For example the ability to respawn costs more to buy than there are gems on any level. While it's a pain, it's often best just to start over. 

Level traversal is fairly unique and is performed by either running or using your character's jetpack. Much is akin to Flappy Bird you'll control the jetpack by repeatedly tapping the button. The jetpack is pretty powerful and even the shortest of thrust will send your character shooting upwards. This system doesn't allow for any form of finesse, and throwing bombs whilst airborne is a terrible juggle of button presses. What would have made sense was to use both trigger buttons for thrust and attacks? But alas this isn't the case. 

When it comes to visuals, Dyna Bomb looks like an early 90's video game. It's full of simple design work that's not a far cry from those seen in Pac-Land. Everything is caked in bright vibrant colours and the game looks pretty good during handheld gameplay. The issue with presentation comes during docked mode as everything is far too stretched and colours seem to bleed into each other. 

One positive about the game is that there's an abundance of levels to fight your way through with 64 in total. However, this also highlights the game's shortfalls. Enemies often repeat themselves and level design can come become monotonous. The only thing that changes is the game's backgrounds - which only symbolises what world you're currently in. But considering that the game doesn't have any story, then this change isn't meaningful. 

All in all, Dyna Bomb is a terrible game but it doesn't lack for trying. When the game allows you to express yourself, flying around whilst raining death from above is quite fun. Yet this semblance of fun soon falls to Earth with a thud! If the development team has spent a little more time and attention then Dyna Bomb could have been a great little title. Yet in its current state, it doesn't feel any more than a bargain bin dropout that's not shaken its mobile roots.

Rating: 2/10 

A code was kindly provided for this review. 

Dyna Bomb is out now and can be purchased via the Nintendo Switch eShop by clicking here. 

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