Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is a side-scrolling platformer released as a launch title for the Playstation Vita in February of 2012. Developed by Drinkbox Studios, the same developer of Guacamelee and Nobody Saves the World, Mutant Blobs Attack tells the short but satisfying story of a grumpy and hungry mutant Blob out to gobble up the world.
Throughout the game the player controls a gelatinous mutant Blob that has been captured and used as a test subject. In order to enact the Blob’s revenge on humanity for its cruelty, the Blob must jump, bounce, fly, and swing around levels dotted with an assortment of loose objects to eat. Upon eating all of the food, garbage, cows, buildings, people, and anything else he can find, the Blob will grow to the size needed to move on to the next level. Utilizing several of the Playstation Vita’s features, Mutant Blobs Attack combines traditional 2D thumbstick-based controls with motion controls and touch-based powers and abilities to deliver a fully-fledged platforming experience on the go. From its interesting concept, fun controls, and challenging assortment of levels, the game is an all-in-one package for anyone looking for a fun time on the Vita.
While some consider Mutant Blobs Attack a Flash game ported to the Vita, and I can agree that it has the feel of an old Flash game, it is honestly much more than that. As someone who grew up with Flash games like Interactive Buddy, Whack Your Boss, and Line Rider, Mutant Blobs Attack is both graphically and mechanically superior in every way. While it lacks the ability to challenge your friend in computer class instead of listening to the lecture, it does just as good at wasting time on a commute or in a waiting room as you attempt to get the highest score on the leaderboards or devour another unsuspecting victim.
The challenge and fun to be had with Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack shouldn’t be overlooked. While the game may be dated in today's video game landscape, and likely would feel more at home on an iPhone than a dedicated handheld gaming device, its place in the Vita’s launch library is well deserved. While its original developer has moved on to other projects, I would love to see a revival of the series that takes advantage of more modern hardware.
Throughout the game the player controls a gelatinous mutant Blob that has been captured and used as a test subject. In order to enact the Blob’s revenge on humanity for its cruelty, the Blob must jump, bounce, fly, and swing around levels dotted with an assortment of loose objects to eat. Upon eating all of the food, garbage, cows, buildings, people, and anything else he can find, the Blob will grow to the size needed to move on to the next level. Utilizing several of the Playstation Vita’s features, Mutant Blobs Attack combines traditional 2D thumbstick-based controls with motion controls and touch-based powers and abilities to deliver a fully-fledged platforming experience on the go. From its interesting concept, fun controls, and challenging assortment of levels, the game is an all-in-one package for anyone looking for a fun time on the Vita.
While some consider Mutant Blobs Attack a Flash game ported to the Vita, and I can agree that it has the feel of an old Flash game, it is honestly much more than that. As someone who grew up with Flash games like Interactive Buddy, Whack Your Boss, and Line Rider, Mutant Blobs Attack is both graphically and mechanically superior in every way. While it lacks the ability to challenge your friend in computer class instead of listening to the lecture, it does just as good at wasting time on a commute or in a waiting room as you attempt to get the highest score on the leaderboards or devour another unsuspecting victim.
The challenge and fun to be had with Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack shouldn’t be overlooked. While the game may be dated in today's video game landscape, and likely would feel more at home on an iPhone than a dedicated handheld gaming device, its place in the Vita’s launch library is well deserved. While its original developer has moved on to other projects, I would love to see a revival of the series that takes advantage of more modern hardware.