Hey, everyone’s trying to save a buck these days. Gas is at an all-time high, and I can’t imagine what it would cost to take a reasonable vacation these days. That’s why it pays to find well priced games. Not everyone can afford a $70 title, after all. And this is why stuff like Blast ‘n Bounty is important.
No CheckPoint’s shooter, published by EastAsiaSoft, isn’t going to land on any “game of the year” lists. It’s short but sweet, having you pursue a number of enemies in shoot-em-up action before facing off to collect bounties. After all, well, it’s pretty much one and done, with no replay value outside of playing the stages again.
That said, the game is a great deal of fun. The challenge level is balanced just about right, and lets you choose bounties in any order you prefer – kind of like Mega Man. It also looks and sounds pretty good, and its gameplay, while not over the top, is easily approachable. Plus the price is more than fair, clocking in at a mere $5.
Again, don’t expect a game laden with features and long-term replayability. Do, however, expect a good, quick arcade time with Blast ‘n Bounty. Sometimes you just want something cheap and simple to enjoy, and this shmup fits the bill.
Blast ‘n Bounty Has You Pursuing Aplenty
At one point in time, Quad was the most feared gangster in the galaxy. But he’s decided to change his ways after being betrayed by his first mate, becoming a space bounty hunter in the process. And now he’s out for revenge, seeking out those who wronged him, including the mafia’s seven top generals. Which, by the way, are animals. But never mind, welcome to the hunt!
Blast ‘n Bounty doesn’t have the most stacked story out there. In fact, given its budget game status, it doesn’t really pile on any sort of long-term content. This is a simple, arcade-style shooter where you chase after the seven generals before going after the big boss for that final bit of revenge.
The game is built around simple mechanics, where you blast away at opponents while dodging gunfire and occasionally powering up your defenses. You can also utilize drones to give you additional firepower, which you’ll need for the boss encounters.
Blast ‘n Bounty’s gameplay isn’t overly stacked with strategy. It does, however, lean on classic shooters from the past, and works because of it. The controls are great once you get the hang of them, and the boss battles prove quite challenging. And there’s always shooting for that higher score, even though the game lacks leaderboards.
And…that’s about it. There’s no New Game + content, no new story to unlock. Once you’re done with the game, you can only go back for more from what you played. On the bright side, you can choose the order of bounties you go after before tackling the final boss, so there’s that.
I would complain that the game lacks depth, but then you look at its price tag – a mere $5. That’s not bad considering usual budget fare, consisting of slapped together AI slop. So, sure, it’s worth it, especially if you’re a fan of old-school shooters.
Don’t expect anything too overloaded and you’ll settle in with Blast ‘n Bounty just fine. It delivers its shooting action just where it needs to, and there are plenty of firepower options available.
Blast ‘n Bounty’s Presentation Isn’t Bad
Next up, let’s talk presentation.
Blast ‘n Bounty won’t blow you away with its presentation, as No CheckPoint has opted to keep things fairly simple. But that’s alright by me. What’s here is nicely presented, with beautiful colors and some humorous looking boss designs. Where did the mafia lieutenants get such budgets, anyway? It also runs pretty smoothly, with barely any hints at slowdown, accepting its low-poly look quite easily. (I do hate those flying chompers, though.)
As for the music, it’s surprisingly engaging. The guitar riffs are quite welcome, and the mix of synthesizers is very good, with a touch of 80’s thrown in. I also like the sound effects, with lots of bangs and booms.
You’ll Have a Blast (‘n Bounty)
Here’s how to take a game like Blast ‘n Bounty. If you expect an over-elaborate affair that will keep you busy for hours on end, you, uh, won’t get it. But if you’re looking for quick arcade thrills that won’t put a heavy burden on your wallet, it makes a fine addition to your library.
No CheckPoint does a great job with the presentation and gameplay, and there’s enough content to keep you busy for a couple of hours. Sometimes, especially in today’s franticness, that’s all you need.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to EastAsiaSoft for providing us with a review code! Blast ‘n Bounty is available now for Nintendo Switch,PlayStation, Xbox and PC/Steam/Steam Deck!
Need more shoot-em-up thrills? Check out our review of Earthion!
