Blast Factor
A PlayStation Network shooter with self-modifying difficulty and slosh mechanics.
Blast Factor is a shooter for the PlayStation 3, developed by Bluepoint Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It stands as one of the earliest titles released exclusively on the PlayStation Network. This game marks Bluepoint's debut as a developer and remains their sole original project, as all their other work consists of remasters, remakes, or ports of existing games. Sony's Santa Monica Studio provided development support, fostering a partnership that eventually led to Sony acquiring Bluepoint and incorporating it into PlayStation Studios.
In the game, players control a microscopic ship navigating through infected cells, using its weapons to clear out various infections. Movement is handled with the left analog stick, while firing uses the right. A unique feature allows players to tilt the Sixaxis controller left or right, sloshing the playing field and forcing infections to one side, often grouping them for easier destruction. Players also have a Bio Magnetic Repulsor (B.M.R.) that creates a time dilation effect and a force field to push enemies away; this device recharges every two seconds in single-player mode. Each cell the player enters spawns several infections, and the goal is to eliminate all of them. Infection types and behaviors become more varied as the game progresses. To advance to the next specimen, or level, the player must cleanse eight cells (waves). Power-ups like Multi-Shot, Homing Super, and Super B.M.R. can be collected, with the latter causing a disruptive blast that destroys all enemies within range.
Scoring is enhanced by the "Blast Factor" mechanic: enemies caught in the explosion radius of another enemy are also destroyed, granting a score bonus. The multiplier increases with each enemy destroyed in a chain reaction. The game features a self-adjusting difficulty that changes the path of cells through each specimen. If a player completes a cell within the time limit without dying, they move to a harder cell; dying or failing the time limit sends them to an easier one. Harder cells award more points. Trophies were added via patch v2.01, released on December 4, 2008, in North America and June 29, 2009, in Europe.
Downloadable content includes the Blast Factor Multiplayer Pack, released on February 1, 2007, in both North America and Europe as separate downloads—European versions did not include those features as stan
- Developer
- Bluepoint Games
- Publisher
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platform
- PlayStation 3
- Release (Multiplayer Pack)
- February 1, 2007
- Release (Advanced Research add-on, US)
- August 2, 2007
- Genre
- Shooter
- Metacritic rating
- Average
Lore & Background
In Blast Factor, the player pilots a microscopic craft through infected cells, using weapons to eliminate infections. The left analog stick moves the craft, the right fires, and the Sixaxis controller can be tilted to slosh the playing field, grouping enemies. A Bio Magnetic Repulsor (B.M.R.) triggers time dilation and a force field, recharging every 2 seconds in single player. The player must cleanse 8 cells per specimen to advance, with powerups including Multi-Shot, Homing Super, and Super B.M.R., which destroys all enemies in range. Scoring is enhanced by the 'Blast Factor' chain reaction, where enemies caught in explosions are destroyed, increasing the score multiplier. The game features a self-modifying difficulty that adjusts the path of cells based on player performance, awarding more points for harder cells. Trophies were added via patch v2.01 on December 4, 2008, in North America and June 29, 2009, in Europe.
Reader's Guide
Blast Factor holds significance as Bluepoint Games' first original title and their only non-remaster, non-remake, or non-port game. It was among the earliest PlayStation Network exclusive releases, helping establish the digital distribution platform. The game's self-modifying difficulty system was a notable design choice, dynamically adjusting challenge based on player skill. The slosh mechanic using the Sixaxis controller was a distinctive feature. The downloadable content, including the Multiplayer Pack and Advanced Research add-on, expanded the game with co-op and competitive modes, new specimens, and speed modes. The close collaboration with Sony's Santa Monica Studio led to Bluepoint's eventual acquisition by Sony and integration into PlayStation Studios, making Blast Factor a foundational step in the studio's history. The game received average reviews according to Metacritic.
Did You Know?
- Blast Factor is the only Bluepoint Games title that is not a remaster, remake, or port of a previously developed game.
- The game's difficulty self-modifies by changing the path of cells based on whether the player dies or completes cells within a time limit.
- The Multiplayer Pack was released on February 1, 2007, but is only available on the American PlayStation Store; European versions include those features as standard.
- Trophies were added via patch v2.01 on December 4, 2008, in North America and June 29, 2009, in Europe.
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