Meteor for S60 3rd Edition Review

Meteor is a game belonging to the Breakout genre of computer games. Game play is fairly simple -- blocks are located at the top area of the screen, the user controls a 'bat' located at the bottom. A ball moves around, bouncing off the blocks destroying them. The player needs to prevent the ball from touching the bottom of the play area, otherwise, he loses a life. The main point of the game is simple - destroy all the blocks using the bat and the ball. Losing all available lives will end the game.

The game starts out a lot like any other Breakout game. However, some new game elements are added a few levels in. These new elements include bonuses, which does any of the following: It changes the bat's shape, allows the use of missiles, lets the ball destroy more blocks, and change the speed of the game, among others. Another new element is the blocks themselves - some blocks behave oddly, requiring multiple hits before disappearing, or exploding and destroying other blocks. Some levels also have space ships dropping bombs on the player's bat. Note that some bonuses work in a cumulative manner.

The new elements do not always give the players' benefits. As an example, few players may not want a bonus that changes the size of the bat (shrinking or enlarging it). This adds more difficulty and fun to the game - players may sometimes need to avoid some of the bonuses while still aiming to hit the ball and destroy blocks in the process.

The game features three levels of skill. The different skill levels offer different initial game speeds as well as the initial number of lives per player. The game has 90 different levels. Users have the option of jumping ahead to more advanced levels should they wish to.

Game controls are quite responsive and run smoothly.

The game features an auto save mechanism; if users leave the game at any level, he has the option of resuming that game.

One minor gripe about the game is the lack of any confirmation or prompt informing the player that he has lost all his available lives. Dying in the game takes the player directly to the game's title screen.

Game graphics and sound

The game graphics are not outstanding, but they don't suck either. The graphics are just about average - clearly featuring the elements of the game: blocks, spaceships, the ball, bat, and the backgrounds. The movement of the ball is smooth and the in-game explosions are also well done. The bat used to man oeuvre the ball is of a curved shape; it gives the user an idea of where the ball is directed to once it hits the bat.

The game may be viewed in two screen modes: vertical and horizontal. It should work well for all Symbian devices (S60, 3^rd edition).

The audio for the game, however, can do with a bit of improvement. There are a few sound effects integrated into the game, but no background music is available.

Television and Keyboard

Users with the following devices can play the game on their TV using the TV out feature (works only for televisions with a SCART or composite connection): Nokia N95 8GB, N95, N93i, N93, and the N82.

Meteor looks well on television, especially when played on horizontal mode.

Users also have the option of using a wireless keyboard (connected via Bluetooth) to control the device. Keyboards with HID profile support work with Symbian S60 devices.

Playing the game using the wireless keyboard was excellent.

Pros It can be played using TV out and wireless keyboard connection.
Fun game play
Excellent controls
Graphics are ok.
Dying in the game immediately brings up the game's title screen.
New game elements
Several levels for excellent game play

ConsIn game sounds can do with an improvement.

Conclusion

Meteor offers excellent game play, with several levels and new elements and bonuses. The game is excellent for a breakout type of game on the Symbian device. The game gets a rating of 3.5 out of 5.