Producer: CRL
Retail Price: £7.95
Author: The Zen Room

The 3-D version of the Breakout concept was pioneered by CRL in Ballbreaker (64%. Issue 46), and its sequel comes with a pedigree: several screen designs come courtesy of Ian Andrew, creator of Driller, Jez Sands, author of Starglider, and Simon Rockman, editor of Amstrad user.

The game takes place over 30 levels of monochrome 3-D arrangement of pyramids, cylinders and cubes in various formations. A sphere drops into the screen from above: taking control of a bat capable of moving from left to right, the player attempts to keep the ball in play until the arrangement of bricks has been destroyed. Each time it hurtles off the edge of the screen one of four lives is lost.

Different blocks have different properties, as indicated by a catalogue which can be examined before play. Those blocks impervious to the ball's touch must be destroyed by one of an initial arsenal of ten missiles. Other bricks hide extra weaponry, bombs, points or bonus lives; some alter the size of the bat, allow instant access to the next round or need to be struck from a specific angle. On later levels the destruction of specific bricks triggers the release of aliens, whose fatal advance can only be stopped by firing a missile or setting off a bomb.

COMMENTS

Joysticks: Cursor, Kempston, Sinclair
Graphics: ornate blocks and baddies hide the poor 3-D perspective
Sound: joyful title tune (continuous through the game on the 128K) and original spot effects
Options: definable keys

In theory a 3-D Breakout game is an innovative and original concept - in practice it doesn't quite come off. By nature of its design the screen always hides the ball behind the bat when you need to see it most. The game also lacks a sense of perspective: despite the 3-D graphics the ball always looks as if it's skimming across the surface of a 2-D screen and the rebound angle is the only indication where it's actually meant to be. Still, the music proves that you can simulate more than the sound of an electric razor with a Spectrum sound chip and the graphics are impressive. Whether you take the risk depends on how much of a Breakout connoisseur you are.
KATI

Unlike film follow-ups, computer sequels are usually much better than their predecessors (Match Day and Arkanoid for example) - Ballbreaker II is a sad break in the trend. If only the programmers had listened to, and corrected, the criticism levelled at the original game they'd have had a fast, playable and addictive little game - but they didn't, so they haven't. Some of the levels are particularly infuriating due to bad programming - try firing a missile at a pile-up block on Level 2 and getting back to the other side of the screen for the ball - impossible. As the old saying goes '2D's are better than 3' (when it comes to Breakout clones).
PAUL

It's bad enough having to put up with 2-D breakout games but when it comes to 3-D versions it's beyond a joke. Ballbreaker II is excellently presented and has a nice tune with some great sound effects; it's just a pity the game itself isn't as good. The backgrounds are messy, being far too detailed, and play is hindered since your view of the ball is often obscured by the bat. The job of destroying all the blocks is made a mite easier by the few missiles you're armed with at the beginning, but these soon run out and then you're left with just your luck! Ballbreaker II may hold your attention for a while but it will never have any lasting appeal.
NICK

CRL
£7.95
Reviewer: Jonathan Davies

Bats and balls. I've had 'em up to here, and I cannae take any more! So the last thing I want to find mercilessly crushed through my letterbox is yet another member of the Breakout clan.

So what's different about this one then? Well, for a start It's got thirty screens, designed by such illustrious industry-characters as the editor of Amstrad User. There are loads of different types of blocks, and your bat has missiles as a standard fitting for those really tricky situations. Oh yes, and its in 3D.

I hope this lot doesn't seem too dismissing so far, but I really do think it's about it's about time for a few fresh ideas around here. Even the 3D gimick isn't new - this is number two in the series. The original got a reasonably warm reception when it arrived, but somehow I don't think the Ballbreaker format can take another round.

However, every game has its good points, and this one's no exception. There are plenty of different types of blocks stacked up to bash away at, some giving extra lives or missiles, others requiring devious tactics to remove them. And bombs destroy adjacent blocks when hit, quite a nice touch.

Being in 3D, of course, everything's a bit lacking in the old R, G and B, but the graphics are nicely detailed and move smoothly. It all slows down pretty significantly when a lot is happening on-screen, but that's not terribly often as you might imagine.

Unfortunately, other than look nice on the packaging, the 3D practice. Needless to say, I didn't get through many screens, but none of the ones I saw seemed to be terribly inspiring.

Once again, not wishing to appear in any way negative, I'll mention the up-to-the-minute pointer on the menu screen, the almost listen-to-able tune and the rather amusing way that the screens names are printed up.

Despite these vague glimmers of hope, Ballbreaker really is just another you-know-what rip-off, but this time in 3D. Shucks! P'raps next time, eh?

Label: CRL
Author: The Zen Room
Price: £8.95
Memory: 48K/128K
Joystick: various
Reviewer: Tony Dillon

You'd think that the software industry would be fed up with Breakout by now. You know what I mean, all these games involving you controlling a bat which is used to knock a ball into some bricks to destroy them. No matter what the plot it, no matter what the name is, they almost always look the same. I say almost, for yes, there is one that is different. Ballbreaker, from CRL, was to rewrite history with its revolutionary 3-D view and added extras. Ballbreaker 2 is the sequel. Frankly I think it's not so much a sequel, but more a continuation.

The game is played in a series of courts, all viewed in pseudo 3-D, with the nearest edge of the court parallel with the bottom of the screen. No time for fancy isometric stuff here. The bricks are piled as an upright wall at the left edge of the court, and your bat is positioned right at the opposite edge (that's the right edge, you may be pleased to know), and is right on the edge of a very long drop, which will be the fate of the ball if you aren't quick enough.

The ball then drops on to the screen from somewhere above and bounces quite realistically. Note. This is the only time that the ball leaves the floor. Now, the more intelligent of you might be thinking to yourself, "Wait a mo. A moment ago this Dillon chap said the bricks are piled upwards. If the ball doesn't leave the ground, how are you meant to get the high up bricks?"

As you bounce the ball around the screen it will hit a brick or two naturally. That brick then disappears and, here's the clever bit, all the bricks above it fall down. So, a pile of 4 bricks would be reduced to 3. Now, with that thought in mind, and the fact that there are only about 20 bricks on any one screen, doesn't it sound easy? Yes. Tony. But a disease remains. One that has lasted all eternity. It is, The Last Brick syndrome. You know, when you've cleared the whole screen but one brick is left, and you spend ages trying to get at it, but you can't hit it, and you go to your Doctor, but he/she can't prescribe anything, and you go slowly mad? Ballbreaker 2 has that problem, but it also has a cure. You are armed with a small number of missiles which you can use to shoot the bricks. And everything else that emerges as gameplay progresses like the little monsters that hide on the top of bricks and then rush at you when you knock the bricks out.

The game isn't too hard, once you've got the hang of it. The 3-D effect can be confusing at first but perseverance soon pays off. A nice idea very well implemented, though if you have the first one, I wouldn't advise you to buy it.