Developer: Randwerk
Publisher: Randwerk, astragon Entertainment
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Tested on: PS5
ABRISS – build to destroy – Review
We do love a good puzzle game now and then, as they often help us relax or simply provide a great change of pace from other titles. Even so, it doesn’t happen often when a puzzle game is released that’s actually all about destroying items rather than just building or fixing things. ABRISS – build to destroy was already available on PC, and the game has now been ported to next-gen consoles. We were curious to see if this was a port done right.
Story
There is no story whatsoever in this physics-based puzzle game. You aim to destroy the structures in sight with the tools at your disposal. We didn’t miss the absence of a story, as the game is all about its gameplay. We also don’t see a logical way to implement an overarching narrative for this type of title.
Graphics
ABRISS isn’t a bad-looking game. The overall sterile but futuristic look works well for this original puzzle title, and it’s very satisfying to see the different structures in the levels be reduced to rubble. The overall asset variation is limited, but that’s perfectly fine for a title such as this. The effects also look good, and it all contributes to a unique look for a physics-based puzzle title. Only the camera tracking irked us a bit, as when we launched certain of our builds toward the structure that needed to be destroyed, the camera wouldn’t follow. Manually following something we launched was not that easy.
Sound
You could say that the sound design leans into ASMR territory, as you’ll have to make do with somewhat industrial sound effects. There is not always a real overarching soundtrack, and because of this, the effects and the atmosphere of a certain emptiness are what set the tone of the game. We would have perhaps loved a mellow soundtrack as well, but all in all, the sound quality is decent.
Gameplay
ABRISS – build to destroy is, as the name implies, a game in which you build structures to ultimately destroy the prebuilt structures in the level you’re in. We apply the term building quite loosely here, as you’ll often have to make unstable structures that topple down on the existing ones. In this physics-based puzzle game, you’ll always have a limited number of items at your disposal to complete your objective, and you can also take several turns to do so. What the latter means is that you can build something, let the game process it, and then build a second structure, for example. The offset is quite straightforward, but completing later stages proved to be quite tricky.
On each level, you’ll find several red cores that need to be destroyed. It’s often not enough just hitting them, or toppling the structure they are in, as they still have a protective case around them. Even so, with enough force, you’ll easily make them explode. The game starts off easily enough, with you just having to build simple structures, allowing you to complete levels in one turn. As ABRISS progresses, however, you’ll have to become more creative with your constructions, and you’ll have more building blocks at your disposal. After a while, you’ll get moving components, different types of blocks, and even bombs. Some levels require a trial-and-error approach, but seeing everything get destroyed is absolutely satisfying. This is the game’s biggest selling point.
Outside of the campaign mode, there’s also a Sandbox and an Endless mode. The Sandbox mode allows you to create your own levels and mess around with different building blocks, while the Endless mode somewhat speaks for itself. In the Endless mode, you’ll have to keep making constructions in order to destroy the red cores, but you’ll also have to keep in mind the number of building blocks you have. Sometimes you’ll have to aim for constructions that allow you to replenish your building blocks. Overall, these two modes do add a bit of fun additional content to the mix.
Sadly, even though the game does press a lot of the right buttons, it also feels like it’s best played on PC with a mouse and keyboard setup. The controls on PS5 are at times quite horrendous, and they take you out of the zen-like experience this game aims to be. More than often we struggled simply placing our building blocks in the right place, and this was a cause for frustration. Sometimes we simply gave up trying to be as precise as possible, hoping we’d clear the level with our flawed build(s). Even though your cursor may aim at the exact spot you want to place something, some blocks simply don’t line up with where you’re pointing.
Conclusion
ABRISS – build to destroy is an interesting puzzle game that will put your gray matter to work, and it has quite a few levels to plow through. For the most part, the game proves to be a zen-like experience that is only held back by the overall clunky controls. There is a lot to love here if you’re a fan of the genre, and the overall unique atmosphere is a great selling point. Even so, if you have the option to play this one on a PC, we’d suggest going for that version as a mouse and keyboard setup will make a world of difference here.
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