Blocks That Matter

Blocks That Matter

Developer(s) Swing Swing Submarine
Publisher(s) Swing Swing Submarine
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Xbox 360 (via XBLIG)
Release date(s) 19 August 2011
Genre(s) Puzzle/Platform
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution Digital download

Blocks That Matter (also known as BTM) is a two-dimensional indie puzzle platformer developed by Swing Swing Submarine. It was released on August 19, 2011 for Windows, Mac, Linux and Xbox 360.[1] The player takes the role of “Tetrobot”, a robot which is able to collect blocks by hitting them from under (Mario reference) or drilling them, and can then construct shapes in a “puzzle mode” using four blocks at a time. BTM heavily references the games Minecraft and Tetris through the main characters, in-game mechanics and concepts such as “Pajitnovian physics”.[1][2] The Tetrobot will also be playable as a character in the upcoming game UFHO2.[3]

The game's name comes from special blocks hidden in the story mode levels. They are unusable blocks that initially appear in levels as treasure chests, which serve no purpose other than to unlock bonus levels. The blocks are direct references to famous blocks in games that inspired the developers, such as a ?-block from Super Mario Bros., an Aperture Science Weighted Companion Cube from Portal, Rubik's Cube, and a die, hence the "blocks that matter".

BTM received generally favourable reviews, with an aggregated score of 76 on Metacritic.[4]

BTM was made available as a bonus during the Voxatron Humble Indie Bundle along with The Binding of Isaac.[5]

BTM was the Dream Build Play 2011 Challenge "Grand Prize" Winner,[6][7] earning $40,000 and the opportunity for an XBLA publishing contract.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Derocher, J. "Review: Blocks That Matter". Retrieved 18 Jan 2012.
  2. ↑ Michael, J. "Blocks That Matter Review". Retrieved 18 Jan 2012.
  3. ↑ "The Tetrobot in UFHO2".
  4. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/blocks-that-matter Retrieved 18 Jan 2012
  5. ↑ Fletcher, JC. "Humble Voxatron Debut sweetened with Blocks that Matter, Binding of Isaac". Retrieved 18 Jan 2012.
  6. ↑ Winners, dreambuildplay.com, archive 2011-SEP-03
  7. ↑ Congratulations to the 2011 Dream Build Play winners!, joystiq.com

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blocks That Matter.