Fantasy Breaker Review

Fantasy Breaker takes the simple idea of destroying bricks with balls and a paddle, and tries to stretch it out into a lengthy fantasy adventure – but there are only so many different ways to break bricks. Still, it features just enough neat changes to the Breakout formula to be worthwhile.

Instead of smashing a boring grid of squares, in Fantasy Breaker players bounce balls against entire medieval fortresses to demolish them bit by bit. To the few of you that played the cult GameCube classic Odama, the experience may remind you of that game's bizarre combination of pinball and strategic village annihilation. Using this system, the game can offer a wider array of challenges and board layouts. Different elements can withstand more impact, some are even indestructible, and by rearranging them stages take on a different feel. Some levels play like standard Breakout levels, while others require unique strategies like bouncing around stone walls to squish the soldiers and reach the upgrades within.

The natural setting also offers a great excuse for visuals that are a lot more interesting than blocks and circles. The trees, buildings, and weaponry have a modest but pleasant, almost pre-rendered look. And since everything doesn't fit neatly on a rigid, mathematical grid, it gives the gameplay the illusion of dynamism.

However, Fantasy Breaker is still just a tweaked version of Breakout, and that template can only be changed so much. While the over 100 stages across forest, snow, and pirate environments are all technically distinct, playing them back-to-back reveals just how similar they ultimately are. Aside from cosmetic changes and the chance to earn numerous achievements, there's little incentive to explore new arenas as opposed to trying to get higher scores on old ones.

The gaming landscape isn't starving for more Breakout, especially on the App Store. But if you are looking for one, Fantasy Breaker does have an identity of its own worth checking out.