Instruments of Destruction: The Vehicles of Blast Corps
Martin Watts January 13, 2013One of Blast Corps’ strongest assets is its wide range of vehicles that the player can use in order to mow down buildings and save the day from nuclear-powered destruction. It presents the player with a much more varied style of gameplay, especially when more than one vehicle is required in a certain level, and stops the gameplay from feeling monotonous.
To help you relive the good ol’ days of wreaking havoc, we’ve compiled a list of all the main vehicles you come across during Blast Corps. Some you just couldn’t live without, some fail to deliver and some are more than likely to get you killed. The happening hillbillies that designed them may not have considered practicality, but what they did get right was the fun factor.
Is it overkill for a robot to backflip into buildings? Or unnecessary for a car to rocket-propel itself off cliffs into people’s homes? We sure as hell don’t think so!
Ramdozer
This town looks pretty “rammed”
Essentially your traditional, everyday bulldozer, the Ramdozer is a beginner’s vehicle, which can be simply driven directly into most buildings. Despite being the most basic of the vehicles on offer, it’s also the most practical. It lacks the horsepower required to take down large buildings such as skyscrapers, but thanks to its forward-facing metal plate, you can push large blocks of explosives into whatever pesky structure is blocking your way.
Difficulty: *
Efficiency: *****
Fun Factor: ***
Backlash
You don’t want to rear-end this bad boy
The Backlash is easily one of the most destructive vehicles in the game. The problem is that it’s extremely difficult to use. In order to cause the most damage possible, you have to swing the Backlash into a slide so that its heavily armoured rear hits the building first. It takes a bit of getting used to but if you can master it, this beast is extremely enjoyable to use and can clear multiple buildings in a single swerve.
Difficulty: *****
Efficiency: ****
Fun Factor: ***
Ballista
Just make sure you don’t hit the carrier with one of your rockets!
Missiles make everything better. Or at least we think they do. The Ballista looks like a futuristic motorcycle, albeit a tad bigger and one that just so happens to come equipped with two rocket launchers. What it lacks in physical strength, it makes up for in explosive power and range. The only real downside is that your initial load is usually quite small and, as a result, you’re forced to pick up more rockets as you go. Nevertheless, the Ballista is one of Blast Corps’ more effective vehicles, and a fun one at that. We just wish the rockets were bigger.
Difficulty: **
Efficiency: ***
Fun Factor: ***
Cyclone Suit
Autobots, transform and roll—oh wait…wrong franchise
Now this is where the fun really starts: a giant robot that backflips its way through buildings. It’s over the top, excessive, yet bloody brilliant at the same time. Sure, the Cyclone Suit could do with having a punch or kick feature to quickly clean up the odd bit that you may have missed, but it’s an oversight we can forgive when backflipping is just so much fun.
Difficulty: **
Efficiency: ***
Fun Factor: ****
J-Bomb
Just kick back and relax – the carrier will take care of itself…maybe
What’s cooler than a giant robot which can obliterate buildings? A giant robot which uses a jetpack to obliterate buildings, that’s what. The J-Bomb is arguably Blast Corps’ most fun vehicle; there’s just something so satisfying about flying up to dizzying heights only to then come crashing down on top of some expensive skyscraper.
Difficulty: **
Efficiency: ****
Fun Factor: *****
Thunderfist
If only it could shoot laser beams from its eyes
The Blast Corps team sure do like their robots. The third bipedal mechanical machine in the line-up is the Thunderfist, which has the unique ability of somersaulting. By curling up into a ball, it can roll at high speed and take down buildings like pins in a bowling lane. It is also one of the few vehicles able to perform combos, and if you line up everything right, you can cause an impressive amount of destruction
Difficulty: **
Efficiency: ****
Fun Factor: ***
Sideswipe
Special offer: two buildings for the price of one
The Sideswipe is designed with efficiency in mind; two gas-powered panels punch out from its sides when activated, with enough force to destroy two structures at the same time. The major downside is that—much like the Ballista—it requires power-ups which you find across the terrain. Also, it’s quite sensitive in terms of control and trying to line it up to have the most effect can sometimes be difficult.
Difficulty: ****
Efficiency: **
Fun Factor: **
Skyfall
“Go for it!”
The key to using this vehicle is in the name. This buggy may look small, but it packs a wallop thanks to its armoured underside. By launching it off ramps and hillsides using a built-in boost system, you can land on top of buildings and crush them from above. Naturally, pulling off such a stunt isn’t by any means easy (and it’s also something you shouldn’t try at home!), but it’s jolly exciting nonetheless.
Difficulty: ****
Efficiency: **
Fun Factor: ****
***
What’s your favourite vehicle in Blast Corps? Share your thoughts in the comments section below! Want to find out more about the game? Read our in-depth retro review now.
