The Kinect is dead. There is no denying that, but I could have told you that a console generation ago. Motion controls have always been a gimmick and the Nintendo Wii was an anomaly, and only really worked because it still used physical controllers.
Now we are seeing VR as the next gimmick (that will be gone in another cycle), and while major studios have ditched the Kinect like it never existed there are still indie studios out there keeping the dream alive and releasing content for the platform.
Developer: Virtual Air Guitar Company
Release date: December 21, 2016
Platforms: Xbox One
Price: $9.99
These sorts of games have been around since the early days of gaming and while it does feel like more of tech demo more than anything, as most Kinect games did anyways, Boom Ball 2 works great. The issue is that when the Kinect was alive (for those few short months during the 360) these sorts of games were part of a bundle and not a solo adventure.Boom Ball 2 is about what you can expect from any sort of Kinect game. It’s essentially a 3D version of those block breaker games and at its core it all works fine. There are two paddles on the screen that you control with your hands and you smack balls at the colored bricks.
Still, it’s a bit of fun that’s resonably priced and a good way to get your kids moving about a bit, but as with any of these games, the controls can be a slight bit off. That’s not the games problem per say, but that depth perception is always a bit tricky to make feel just right. Also, slapping at thin air just never gives you the feeling that you really want from a game of this nature.
The nice thing with Boom Ball 2 is in the variety of stages and the number of really fun power-ups that will keep you on your toes while playing. You get five uniquely themed worlds that each contain ten stages with blocks to break down. It’s all set up like a mobile game so it’s really easy to pick up and play, but it lacks any form of story, but that really isn’t a big deal with a game of this nature.
The major issue is that just like many a mobile game, the whole thing will get old pretty fast. While the stage may change and the blocks you are working to break look like different objects and colors, it all gets pretty darn repetitive. But things do pick up if you play with a friend as the two-player co-op mode is sure to cause more than a few slap fights between friends.
The technical limitations of the Kinect itself is what lets down Boom Ball 2 more than the mechanics of the game itself. If you have a Kinect and are looking for something fun you could do worse than Boom Ball 2. I’m just happy that there are still studios out there that are trying to support the Kinect even though Microsoft won’t even acknowledge that the thing even ever existed.
“Boom Ball 2 is a good bit of fun, even if the Kinect is pretty much dead”
2.5/5
“Meh”
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