Review of Breakout Beyond for PlayStation 5

Breakout Beyond, brought to life by Choice Provisions and Atari, invigorates a classic arcade game with a splash of neon vibrancy. Let’s dive into what makes this reimagined experience stand out in our Breakout Beyond review!

This fresh iteration of Breakout shakes things up by switching from the original’s vertical setup to a horizontal layout. The goal is simple: hit that ball back and aim to break through to the finish line of each level. Gone is the focus on destroying every brick on the screen while frantically preventing the ball from plummeting to the bottom. Instead, it’s all about strategic breakthroughs.

Initially conceived for the perpetually delayed Amico console, the game was simply called Breakout. Today, it’s rebranded under Atari’s “Beyond” series, which puts a new spin on its beloved classics. Having previously checked out Lunar Lander Beyond, I found it had cleverly woven a narrative into its gameplay. I was so impressed that I snagged a physical copy for my Nintendo Switch collection. Breakout Beyond, with its vibrant visuals, even gives off some BIT.TRIP Flux vibes, echoing back to Choice Provisions’ earlier success during their Gaijin Games era with Aksys Games.

You can tackle Breakout Beyond solo or buddy up for co-op, making the fast-paced action more manageable. The game’s rhythm is punctuated by dynamic audio and visual effects that shift with your performance, offering a rewarding sensory experience. With 72 levels to conquer, your aim is to shatter your way through each stage, pile up combos, and drive your score higher. Special blocks along the way provide helpful perks like shields, powerful bombs, potent lasers, formidable drills, and the classic havoc-wreaking multiball.

Each level left me on the edge, challenging my reflexes relentlessly. But help is at hand. If things get hairy, focus mode lets you slow down time, albeit at a cost to your score. The game supports a cooperative mode for two players, enhancing strategic play. Additionally, Infinite Mode lets you chase high scores indefinitely, complemented by a nostalgic 1976 Mode, honoring the original Breakout.

For trophy hunters, Breakout Beyond is a treasure trove, with achievements including unlocking unique gameplay elements and completing the exhaustive 72 levels. It’s an opportunity to test your mettle across various challenges—like finishing a level with a drill-enhanced ball or amassing 255 points in 1976 Mode.

Priced at $14.99, Breakout Beyond offers a blast from the past with a fresh twist, available for both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Whether you’re gunning for leaderboard dominance in Infinite Mode or reliving the arcade golden days with 1976 Mode, there’s plenty to explore.

This review was made possible with a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Atari.