Video Game Review: Have A Blast

Developer: Team Blast

Publisher: Firenut Games

Genre: Shooter, Party

Nintendo Switch

Light couch party games that pit players against each other are always welcome in our home. Some of my favorite Switch games involve nights playing games like Towerfall, Nidhogg, Killer Queen, and Ultimate Chicken Horse. With that in mind, Team Blast’s space shooter Have A Blast seems like a perfect fit, but how does it stack up?

In Have A Blast, up to four players will man a space ship, and will usually attempt to blow up the competition. Whether the mode is versus, deathmatch, challenge, or mother ship, players can expect a lot of blasting. Have A Blast is made for couch sessions, since the only multiplayer is local. It’s a shame that the game can’t be played online, and since the game can really only be enjoyed by friends, the amount of enjoyment possible is severely dampened.

Before starting a game, players will select a ship. Each ship has a different special weapon to give them an edge. One ship specializes in sniping far off opponents, while another ship uses drones. Players will float around, use their clunky thrusters, and shoot at each other while collecting ammo around the stage. The controls feel intentionally clunky, with players needing to hold a thruster button while pointing in the direction they want to propel their ship. After letting go, the ship sort of floats until players point their ship in the next direction. Fortunately, every ship and everyone suffers from the same control scheme, so it sort of challenges players to learn the game before their opponents do.

The idea of Have A Blast is certainly solid, but the implementation isn’t great. The controls are frustrating, and while players can certainly learn them, they aren’t great for a party setting. It can still be enjoyed with friends, but Have a Blast just isn’t as enjoyable as its peers are.

There is a single player mode, but really it’s rather disappointing. The AI just isn’t exciting to play with, and there isn’t enough variety in objectives to make this game worth playing without friends. It’s pretty disappointing since games like Towerfall can at least still be mildly entertaining when played alone.

Visually, Have A Blast looks solid, with an inspiration from games like Geometry Wars. It utilizes neat neon colors and simple backgrounds. It’s nothing special, but doesn’t detract from the game itself. The music is sort of similar, with upbeat electronic beats that just sort of exist in the background. You won’t be bobbing your head at all, but the soundtrack certainly isn’t offensive.

Really, ‘not offensive’ is the best way to describe Have A Blast. There is some fun to be had here, but there are much better options for Switch owners.