QbQbQb, developed by one-man operation Rezoner, is a block-stacking puzzle game that began as a Ludum Dare entry that has since been expanded upon and polished for a full release. There’s an endless supply of puzzle games out there, so a developer must do something to make their products stand out and QbQbQb does just that with a simple twist on the standard formula along with upbeat music and visuals that are sure to charm all.
The mechanics of QbQbQb are pretty straightforward. Each level is a 2D planet which you rotate as colored blocks descend from space at different angles. Your task, depending on the difficulty, will be to either arrange these blocks in groups of three, or on the harder difficulty, match colors on polar opposites of the planet. Stack the blocks too high and you will lose a point of health, lose all your health and it’s game over. While all modes are simple concepts, arranging blocks to strategically create groups of three can quickly become a real challenge; you never know what colors are coming next, so you have to stay on your toes. You aren’t entirely helpless, as the game allows you to slow down time to get a better grasp on the situation, but only for a short while. As you progress you will unlock new levels, which will switch up the gamplay by changing the size of planets and adding new colors of blocks.
You will need quick reflexes to play QbQbQb, but part of the fun lies in how a level can go from completely under control to pandemonium in just a few seconds. While adjusting to the new parameters of a level I found myself defeated in less than a minute, but it never takes long to adapt and get going again. The controls will take some time to get the hang of but once you do there’s plenty of fun to be had here. The uncomplicated mechanics are still challenging and if you’re a fan of games like Tetris or Columns then this is a title after your heart.
Equally simple are the graphics, which are a smashing success. The bright colors of planets and blocks against the darkness of space are visually pleasing and cheerful. The effects are smooth and clean and just generally nice to look at. There isn’t much to say about them because they are so straightforward, just that they make you want to smile when looking at them.
Where QbQbQb really stands out is in its soundtrack. Each level possesses an original, cheerful electronic track that’s instantly catchy. As you progress and gain more points the track will step up its pace and evolve throughout the session, going from a mellow opener to a rocking crescendo. While not all tracks rock equally, and I think my favorite may have been from the first planet, they’re all very enjoyable and really cement the experience. I can safely say that this wouldn’t be the same game without the music.
The game also contains a multiplayer mode and allows you to challenge the computer as well. These modes don’t play any different than the main game and boil down to who can play the longest, and I don’t see much appeal in crowding two players around one PC to play side-by-side, but the option is there. Really this is a single player experience and it does just fine as that.
I have to note that while I played the PC version, this game is also available on Android and I feel like the mobile platform would be the best way to play it. As levels can be played quickly, being able to pull this app up on your phone for a few minutes at a time would be a great option to have. But whether you get it on your desktop or your phone, QbQbQb will have something for both the veteran puzzle gamer and the occasional player between it’s fun, simple gameplay, lighthearted graphics and great soundtrack. Retailing at a modest $3.99, QbQbQb is a low-risk investment that I’m sure anyone will get their money’s worth out of.
QbQbQb can be purchased here at Rezoner’s site.
This game was reviewed using retail code provided to us by the publisher.
