flOw, Blast Factor, Super Rub-A-Dub

“flOw”, “Blast Factor”, “Super Rub-A-Dub”
Publisher: SCEE
ERP: £3-7 each

Few of the PS3 launch games make impressive use of the new SIXAXIS motion-sensing controller, for reasons we can only speculate. However Sony has been busy creating a small handful of fun, simple download games in which motion-sensing is crucial to the experience. They’re reasonably priced, and at least one is a ‘grower’.

Let’s start with “Super Rub-A-Dub”, in which you guide rubber ducks to safety while avoiding hazards that include wind-up plastic sharks. Mother (parent/guardian?) rubber ducky is guided around various water-filled bathtubs by tilting the SIXAXIS this way and that. Her siblings are trapped inside little bubbles, but once freed follow mum to safety. In the early stages, of which there are around 40, the trick is to avoid falling off the edge of the tub. Later on the windy-uppy sharks appear and snap at the kids, and you must find cunning ways to beat the currents – vaulting barriers by jolting the SIXAXIS upwards for example. Even the later levels are quite easy to survive, but beating your best time could prove addictive.

We’ll squeeze “flOw” in the middle here, because we honestly don’t know what it’s about… and neither did our Sony rep who presented the game to us! Probably “flOw” is Sony’s ambient answer to Electroplankton on Nintendo DS – the visuals are certainly very similar. The SIXAXIS moves a snake-like creature around the screen, gobbling blue or red icons to warp between planes. Kind of reminds us of the mobile phone game “Snake”, but with no danger of dying. If you’re curious, the original Java version can be played here for free: http://www.jenovachen.com/flowingames.

“Blast Factor” is an immediate success. It’s very similar to the Xbox Live Arcade game “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved”, which itself borrows from ’80s shooters. Moving and firing in all directions is simple, handled via the SIXAXIS controller’s twin analogue sticks. At the same time, the motion-sensor lets you tilt the screen left or right, causing a ripple effect that sweeps away enemies in either direction. Your foes are cell-like organisms, ranging from tiny discs to ugly bulbous blobby things. Most perish under fire from assorted guns that change with each collected power-up. However tougher breeds must be flipped onto their side or slammed into the surrounding barrier to become vulnerable and this can only be done by tilting the controller. We’d happily play “Blast Factor” all day.

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