Sparkle 2

 
Developer: 10tons Ltd
Steam Release: Jun 2015
Hours Played: 5.4
Similar To: Atlantis Sky Patrol / Luxor Series / Zuma Series
Rating: 5/5 Parsnips

GAMEPLAY

Although tagged as a match 3 game by Steam, Sparkle 2 does not involve sliding tiles on a grid which is what defines most if not all such games in my mind. No, with a slight presence of an action-puzzler vibe and possibly a top-down shooter, this is more in spirit with a 2D shooter. 10tons Ltd already have a few belters to their name: Crimsonland, Neon Chrome and Time Recoil to name but a few. Sparkle 2 can proudly be added to that list. Obviously with a huge nod to the Zuma and Luxor series, the game involves firing coloured bowling balls at a winding path containing a string of said bowling balls that slowly increase their number in waves while making their way to an exit. Hit a line of two or more and the batch explodes thus shortening the line. Destroy all before they reach the exit hole and it's hallelujah!

   

BALANCE & PACE

What edges Sparkle 2 over rivals Zuma and Luxor (good though they are) is that it's all done so much better! Indeed, the clue is in its name. Sure, the game sparkles and glistens with a magical sheen but the delightful sound-effects and the dazzling explosions add to the satisfaction of it all. The balls themselves roll nicely along and there are a variety of power ups to be shot at and used such as exploding paint to cover a good many balls in the same colour, one to slow the whole action down and those that can completely destroy the balls regardless of colour. The levels in the quest portion are fairly straightforward to clear but the game also has a challenge mode where you attempt to score a maximum of five stars. With 71 wins and 17 losses thus far, it is all well-balanced with a good proportion of success and failure dished out.

 

PRESENTATION & DESIGN

Zuma sprinkles in the African culture, Luxor gives us an Egyptian motif, while Sparkle 2 wraps everything up with magic and spells. Rather than using a frog as a cannon like the former, Sparkle 2 fires balls from a curvy metallic contraption; possibly an elaborate wand but actually called a "slinger." When clicking icons in the menu, old tomes open and close with a resounding thump as you can almost sense the puff of dust being pounded out of the pages. Everything is designed to inspire wonder and awe and this is heightened further by the rather grand music that's like the soundtrack to a corny disney movie packed with amazing unicorns and wizards casting stunning spells. Nevertheless the end result is all pretty good.
  
 

PROGRESS SYSTEM

When starting Sparkle 2, you are first taken to a map setting you upon a path. This is the quest line of the game where around 90 dots light up in gold as you go. This can later be done on hard or nightmare mode. Along the bottom you'll get five purple icons: the slinger icon is where you equip enchantments to your cannon; the laurel leaves show your stats and achievements; the star is survival mode where you can try 1-32 levels aiming to get five stars in each; the goblet takes you to 24 challenges; then the spiral icon takes you to the grandly titled Book of Cataclysm containing 20 super-fast levels. The Book of Achievements gives very clear percentages for all of these as well as stats for everything you can think of and in much much more areas of the game. Rest assured there's loads to keep you busy!    
 

CONCLUSION

The glorious presentation of Sparkle 2 is undoubtedly what gives it its... er, sparkle. But there is lots to be said for the sounds as well. Check out the clank and the clunk of the bowling balls as they strike together in particular; definitely a game enhanced by the use of a decent set of headphones! Additionally, 10tons Ltd have appreciated that just a long line of levels as part of a quest won't keep the nerds happy and should therefore be commended for all the extras they have thrown in. Survival, Challenges and the Cataclysm modes are all beautifully presented as part of a book with thumbnails and illustrations tastefully accompanying each level and all divided up methodically and in user-friendly fashion. As evidenced by their many successful other games, with 10tons Ltd you have a pretty safe pair of hands.