Bomb Chicken is a 2D puzzle-platform game developed and published by Nitrome. The game was first released in the Americas and Europe on July 12, 2018, for the Nintendo Switch game console through the Nintendo eShop download service, followed by versions for macOS and Microsoft Windows in April 2019 and one for PlayStation 4 in April 2019. Ports for Android and iOS were released in April 2020.
| Bomb Chicken | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Nitrome |
| Publisher(s) |
|
| Producer(s) |
|
| Programmer(s) |
|
| Artist(s) | Gustav Kilman |
| Composer(s) | Dave Cowen |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Switch, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android |
| Release | Switch macOS, Windows
|
| Genre(s) | Puzzle-platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Set in a Latin American jungle,[2] the player controls a chicken who can lay multiple bombs, which are used to solve puzzles and defeat enemies in order to escape a processing plant run by BFC, a large fast-food chain. Bomb Chicken was well received by critics, who praised its gameplay and presentation, but criticized its short length.
Gameplay
edit
Bomb Chicken is a 2D puzzle-platformer where the player controls a chicken who can lay bombs instead of eggs. The chicken obtained this power after an accident involving the mysterious blue sauce that is being mined by BFC (parody to KFC), a large fast-food chain. Unlike in most platformers, the chicken cannot jump; instead, it ascends by laying bombs which it stands on top of. The chicken can lay multiple bombs in a stack in order to reach higher places. The bombs automatically explode a few seconds after laying them, so the chicken must move quickly after laying them. Bombs can be pushed by the chicken so that they fly into enemies and obstacles. The chicken uses these abilities to try to escape BFC's mining operation, with settings including a factory and overgrown Mesoamerican ruins. The chicken faces several foes, ranging from BFC workers to aggressive natives, most of which can be defeated by using a bomb or landing on top of them. Obstacles include blocks which can be blown up, flying arrows, platforms that fall when the chicken steps on them, and fireballs that hop out of lava. Switches are a common puzzle element and can be pressed to open mechanical doors. Some of them are on a timer, while others only stay active if something stays on top of them. Certain doors are also opened by taking keycards to them. The game has a total of 29 levels spread across three worlds.[3]
The chicken dies after taking one hit, after which it loses a life, which only replenishes after clearing a level or getting a game over, which happens when the chicken loses all its lives. Within the levels are blue gems that the chicken can collect, as well as hidden rooms which house even more gems. Between each level is an opportunity to trade a certain number gems to increase the player's maximum extra lives. With each trade, the threshold for gems increases, so the player will have to collect more gems across multiple levels in order to meet this minimum requirement.
Development
editBomb Chicken was developed by UK-based studio Nitrome, which had previously exclusively made browser games and mobile games. The game was first announced on March 16, 2017, via a teaser on YouTube and was posted to Steam Greenlight the same day.[4][5] The game was originally scheduled for release in 2017,[6] but was later delayed to 2018.[7] On March 20, 2018, Nitrome confirmed the game would launch first on Nintendo Switch, marking their first console game.[8][9] A Japanese release was also announced,[10] and the game released there on November 1, 2018.[11] Nitrome has also said that they are open to downloadable content should the game sell well enough, as well as a physical release.[12] A physical release for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 was released on March 29, 2019, courtesy of Limited Run Games.[13] The game was announced for download for macOS and Microsoft Windows via Steam alongside a PlayStation 4 version on April 16, 2019.[14] Ports for Android and iOS were released on April 1, 2020.[15]
Reception
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2018) |
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | NS: 77/100[16] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Destructoid | 8/10[19] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly |   [17] |
| Nintendo Life |   [20] |
| Nintendo World Report | 8.5/10[18] |
Bomb Chicken received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator, Metacritic.[21]
References
edit- ^ "Bomb Chicken". PlayStation Store. April 29, 2019. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (July 13, 2018). "Bomb Chicken review - a blast from the past that doesn't quite fill you up". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ Doolan, Liam (July 12, 2018). "Bomb Chicken Review". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ "Bomb Chicken on Steam Greenlight". Steam. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ @Nitrome (May 16, 2017). "Yes it is very far along so something would have to go very wrong to not launch this year" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ Mat, Annal [@mat_annal] (November 20, 2017). "No but it is still in active development. We don't want to put a timeframe on it but it's at an advanced state" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ McFerran, Damien (March 20, 2018). "Bomb Chicken Is An Explosive Puzzle Platformer That's Coming To Switch First". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ Goroff, Michael (July 12, 2018). "Bomb Chicken Review". EGM Now.
- ^ @Nitrome (June 28, 2018). "We are releasing in Japan too. But not on the 12th. It will follow after" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Bomb Chicken （ボム・チキン）". Nintendo (Japan). Archived from the original on December 27, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
- ^ Doolan, Liam (July 18, 2018). "Bomb Chicken Developer Nitrome Open To DLC If eShop version "'Sells Well Enough'". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ @Nitrome (March 29, 2019). "Our first ever boxed physical release is FINALLY happening on PS4 and Switch. We really appreciate all of our purchasers support. Please grab your copy while you can!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ @Nitrome (April 3, 2019). "#BombChicken is hatching on Steam and PS4 on April 16th" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gregson-Wood, Stephen (April 1, 2020). "[Updated] Bomb Chicken, the explosive platformer, will be heading for iOS next week". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ "Bomb Chicken for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ Goroff, Michael (July 12, 2018). "Bomb Chicken review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ Burkum, Perry (July 12, 2018). "Bomb Chicken (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ Carter, Chris (July 15, 2018). "Review: Bomb Chicken (Switch)". Destructoid. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ Doolan, Liam (July 11, 2018). "Bomb Chicken Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ "Bomb Chicken". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
