Raskulls is the second game being released in Microsoft’s Games for the Holidays. It is classified as family platformer. For me, I think there should be some more specific genres to describe games like this. The first one would be, Super Star Saga Humor, and second would be, Mr. Driller Block Smashing. Those two titles sum up the hilarity and expected gameplay theme of Raskulls. (Warning: No plumbers or Drillers were harmed in the making of this review)
The story of Raskulls seems to revolve around space pirats desire to look for an alternate power source. So of course, their eyes get set upon the valuable gem known as the “Shiny Stone.” Of course, this stone belongs to our skully heroes. But, with a failed first attempt, the King devises a plan to lure the attempted thieves into a trap by hosting a tournament and having the Shiny Stone as the prize.
The tournament results in a series of races and the winner progresses onto the next bracket. (You know, how actual tournaments work.) As you reach the final race, you are confronted by a monstrous Raskull. This large Raskull CHEATS! You get zapped before the buzzer and he leaves. So, now you have to play catch-up and fend off his two goons. Upon winning, you find out, the giant Raskull isn’t a Raskull. IT’S ONE OF THE PIRATS! They don’t take loss politely, so they zap you again and steal the Shiny Stone.
Raskulls plays like a normal platformer with the ability to zap colored blocks. Simply stated you just have to progress through levels by zapping blocks and avoid getting mushed.
There are three types of maps that you will encounter while playing. Racing, Puzzle, and Speed. Racing is your average start at point A and end at point B. In a puzzle, you have to make it to the end without using all of you charges. Speed maps are more or less time trials. Nothing to terrible.
If you progress strictly through the main story, it isn’t too long of a game. It becomes increasingly more difficult as you progress along. The races never get too bad, but the puzzle maps get very annoying. Players only have a limited amount of zaps which becomes increasingly annoying. There are times where you have to be patient and there times when you have to book it. Figuring out those different choices is the annoying part.
The best moments I had were online. I loved getting into a group with my friends and completing a Grand Prix. We would laugh so hard while zapping each other. But, there aren’t a lot of mulitplayer maps. And unfortunately, one play through on each of the maps is all the enjoyment you can get out of them.
All in all, Raskulls is a fun game. But, repetition of gameplay does cause some serious pitfalls. Online multiplayer was fun, but it could get annoying for some players. My suggestion, get a group of friends, all of you buy it, and play online to have a blast.
Score: 7.5/10
Raskulls was developed by Halfbrick Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 on December 29st, 2010. A copy of the game was provided to us by Microsoft for review purposes.
