Shatter is an action video game developed and published by Sidhe Interactive. The game was released on July 23, 2009 for PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network, on March 15, 2010 for Microsoft Windows, on September 18, 2012 for OS X, and on March 14, 2013 for Linux. A remastered version developed by Sidhe's successor PikPok and published by Netflix was released for iOS and Android via Netflix Games on March 23, 2022.[1][2][3] A version of the mobile remaster published by PikPok, subtitled Remastered Deluxe, was released on November 2, 2022 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.[4]

Shatter
PlayStation Store icon
Developer(s)Sidhe Interactive[a]
Publisher(s)Sidhe Interactive[b]
Designer(s)Alan Bell, Antony Blackett, James Everett, Jonathan Brown
Composer(s)Module
EnginePhyreEngine
Unity (Remastered and Remastered Deluxe)
Platform(s)PlayStation 3, Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
ReleasePlayStation Network
July 23, 2009
Windows
March 15, 2010
OS X
September 18, 2012
Linux
March 14, 2013
Remastered
iOS, Android
March 23, 2022
Remastered Deluxe
Windows, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One / Series X/S
November 2, 2022
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

Shatter uses the Arkanoid gameplay mechanic, with the addition of physics forces "suck" and "blow" to give the player control of the ball and other physics-enabled objects.[5]

Gameplay edit

 
The player can use the suck mechanic to pull shards, power-ups and other objects towards the paddle.

The game area consists of a paddle, a ball, and a field of blocks. To clear a level, the player must destroy all of the blocks. This is most commonly done by guiding the ball into them but blocks can also be destroyed using the Shard Storm power-up, by hitting the blocks with the paddle itself, or by sucking in fragments with the shield enabled to create "ricochet" bullets.

As well as using the paddle to strike the ball, the player can also suck objects toward it or blow objects away. When a block is broken, it releases a number of shards that the players should collect in order to charge their Shard Storm bar. This can be done more efficiently by using the suck function to pull shards toward the paddle. The player collects these shards using the paddle. The suck and blow functions also affect the ball's trajectory so can be used to more accurately guide the ball to specific targets. Some blocks also react to the in-game physics and will move towards or away from the paddle as the suck and blow actions are used. The player can activate a shield around the paddle which will destroy blocks on contact; however, this also drains power from the Shard Storm meter. If a block hits the paddle when the shield is not activated the player loses control of the paddle for a few moments.

Some blocks contain power-ups that have to be collected. All power-ups in the game are positive and trigger functions such as doubling the number of shards on the screen, making the ball more easily maneuverable, or giving the player an extra life. The player collects these power-ups by catching them with the paddle. Players can also release multiple balls into the arena at once. While this allows the player to collect points and clear the stage more quickly, it also makes the game more difficult.[6]

Development edit

On March 15, 2010, Shatter was released on for Windows through Steam. This updated release includes extra modes. Ports of this version for Mac OS X and Linux were released as part of the Humble Indie Bundle 6.

The soundtrack for Shatter was composed by the electronic musician Module, and has been featured in its own right by the Bandcamp independent music website.[7]

Reception edit

Shatter received "favorable" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[9][8]

The PS3 version was nominated by 1UP.com as one of the most innovative games at E3 2009.[21] Later, 1UP.com in its review called it "a fine interpretation of the old brick-breaker style" and praised the introduction of new and interesting gameplay mechanics to classic brick-breaker game genre. However, reviewer Ray Barnholt did comment on the game's brevity, saying that it could be completed in a couple of days.[10]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Remaster developed by PikPok.
  2. ^ Remastered version published by Netflix.
    Remastered Deluxe version published by PikPok.

References edit

  1. ^ "New Games Coming to Netflix in March 2022". What's on Netflix. February 24, 2022. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "Netflix Announces Three New Mobile Games Including Its First FPS Experience". HYPEBEAST. March 23, 2022. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Singh, Priya (March 23, 2022). "Netflix to release three new games this month: Check details". BGR India. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  4. ^ "Shatter Remastered Deluxe announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. May 17, 2022. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  5. ^ Ellis, David (June 29, 2009). "Brand-New Footage of Shatter". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  6. ^ Clements, Ryan (June 29, 2009). "Shatter: Hands-on and Mind-Blown". IGN. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  7. ^ "Sidhe". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  8. ^ a b "Shatter for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Shatter for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Barnholt, Ray (July 23, 2009). "Shatter Review (PS3)". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  11. ^ Sterling, Jim (August 10, 2009). "Review: Shatter (PSN)". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  12. ^ Welsh, Oli (August 6, 2009). "Shatter (PS3)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  13. ^ Pfister, Andrew (July 27, 2009). "Shatter Review - PS3". G4TV. Archived from the original on March 11, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  14. ^ Guss, Ian (July 30, 2009). "PSN Review - Shatter". GamePro Arcade. Archived from the original on November 7, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  15. ^ Laddin, Josh (April 26, 2010). "Shatter Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  16. ^ Petit, Carolyn (April 5, 2010). "Shatter Review (PC)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  17. ^ Liebman, Dan (April 1, 2010). "SHATTER Review - PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  18. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (July 27, 2009). "Shatter Review (PSN)". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  19. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (July 21, 2009). "Shatter Review (PS3)". IGN. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  20. ^ "Shatter". PlayStation Official Magazine - UK: 121. October 2009.
  21. ^ 1UP staff (2009). "1UP's Best Games of E3 2009 (Page 3)". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

External links edit