As of late, Atari has done a great job recrafting its legacy. It’s paying loving tribute to a variety of classics while adding their own distinctive touches to make them more modern. It’s paying off big time, with everything from Asteroids to Berzerk getting that treatment. And now we get Breakout Beyond, a game that takes the company’s traditional ball-and-paddle formula to the next level.
Originally developer for Intellivision Amico (remember that, kids?), Beyond essentially has you fighting through stage after stage of blocks. You keep your ball going with your paddle movements and other little tricks while eliminating them. Then it’s on to the next stage, until you eventually unlock Infinite Mode and really see what you’re made of.
While the gameplay is basic (hit the ball and don’t lose it sort of thing), the new formula is spectacular. It keeps things moving at a brisk pace while offering a variety of challenges. But it’s never too hard, and the use of power-ups and slowdown capability is helpful. There are also leaderboards in Infinite Mode (oddly enough, not the main stages) if you want competition as well.
The game could’ve used more stages, or maybe even a “create a stage” mode of some kind. (Maybe a future update?) But fans of games such as this will happily dig into Breakout Beyond. It turns an old-school concept into something refreshing – and keeps the company’s win streak happily rolling along.
Breakout Beyond Brings the Blocks, Buddy
Breakout Beyond takes a similar approach to the indie game Shatter that came out a few years ago. Rather than having the paddle on the bottom and the bricks on the top, it shifts the action on its side. That means your paddle is on the left and the blocks are coming in from the right. It’s an interesting change, but works very well here.
Anyway, blocks keep coming at you and it’s your job to keep the ball in play to eliminate them. You can put a Wanted-esque curve on shots depending on how you hit it, adding to the dynamic. But there are power-ups as well, including a classic Arkanoid-style laser blast that allows you to clean house more quickly. You can also slow down time in some places with the press of the R shoulder button – but don’t overuse it.
Though the action generally remains the same, the brick layouts are fantastic. And some even have a neat little theme to them as you try to get the ball closer to the goal. It’s a loving tribute to the Breakout days of old, but keeps things from going stale.
After defeating the 72 main stages (which does take time), you can unlock an Infinite Mode. This is where the game keeps rolling along, while you compete with others via leaderboards. It’s not an amazing shift forward, but it does add replay value to the overall package. And considering its $15 price tag, that’s not bad at all.
I would’ve liked more leaderboard support in other spots, like the regular stages (like a speed challenge of some kind?). And for that matter, Choice Provisions could’ve easily added a “user creation” aspect to the game, allowing them to create their own Breakout stages. Also, where’s the original Breakout and Super Breakout? This is Atari we’re talking about here, so some old-school paddlin’ wouldn’t have hurt.
But I digress. What remains in Breakout Beyond is still a whole lot of fun, especially if you grew up with this kind of game. I’m just glad it was saved from the Amico graveyard and given a chance to shine elsewhere. Hopefully Moon Patrol is up next somewhere. (Perfect for the Atari library!)
Breaking Out With a Neat Presentation
While Breakout Beyond doesn’t go all out with its visuals, it does have distinct touches worth nothing.
For instance, the curved screen design of the main stages is pretty neat, coming off like it’s on an old-school game set-up. The ball effects are also pretty wild (especially when it hits blocks), and the level design is innovative. It can be a bit much on a smaller screen (like the Nintendo Switch), but go on a full-screen display and you have a winner.
The music is also cool, with just the right amount of funky beats to match the style of Breakout. It definitely stands alongside the other Recharged soundtracks we’ve heard as of late, keeping you moving through each stage. And the sound effects, albeit basic, match the tone of the original game.
Overall, not bad at all for a $15 release.
Have Paddle, Will Travel
How much you enjoy Breakout Beyond will really depend how much you enjoyed the original games from Atari. If Breakout wasn’t your thing, this might change your mind, though probably not much. But dedicated arcade fans and die-hard Breakout-ians (they exist, right?) will happily dig in.
The game has stages to spare, along with an addictive Infinite Mode. It’s also got stylish visuals and sound to match. I do wish there was a user creation aspect, but for a $15 release, Breakout Beyond still has a lot going for it. Even after nearly 50 years, this series just keeps the ball rolling.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Atari for giving us a review code! Breakout Beyond is available now for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
Need more Atari goodness? Check out our reviews of Tetris Forever and Yars Rising!
