Suzuki Bakuhatsu (PS1, 2000)
On one hand, it makes complete sense that Suzuki Bakuhatsu is pretty obscure outside of dedicated pockets of the classic gaming fandom. It’s a late release Japan only Playstation game, with a somewhat limited gimmick and a presentation that on the surface doesn’t seem like much. On the other hand, the concept and execution of Suzuki Bakuhatsu is so novel, that I can’t believe someone hasn’t copied it wholesale to create their own interpretation to become the next indie gaming darling. Suzuki Bakuhatsu (Suzuki Explosion in English) is a game about bomb defusal. Suzuki, our beleaguered main character, encounters bombs disguised as everyday objects everywhere she goes. Each time you encounter a bomb, you have to rotate the subject in three dimensions and use the tools at hand to defuse it. Once you start disassembling an object, a countdown timer begins adding a degree of pressure to the whole situation. The bombs get pretty difficult as you play through the game, and even when you completely disassemble them you still have to cut the correct wire to prevent them from exploding. If you cut the wrong wire, consequences are as immediate as they are predictable.
The game also features a pretty fun approach to storytelling. Every story sequence is delivered via a series of still images that are shown in rapid succession, giving the entire game a feel that's a cross between a comic book and a silent film. Suzuki deadpans her way through each situation seemingly unphased by the danger and somewhat irritated by the circumstances at hand. The object/bomb hybrids themselves are rendered very well for a game running on the original Playstation. Each one has that early low polygon chunkiness, but at the same time they’ve also got a lot of polish; something that’s definitely needed for a game that requires close examination and careful handling of objects.
As I said before, the game can get pretty challenging. A big part of the difficulty is the time limit at hand which prevents you from taking too long, and also encourages making risky moves in order to defuse the bomb in time. The bombs of course get more complex as the game progresses, so don’t be surprised if some take multiple attempts before you manage to prevent a 32 bit bakuhatsu. The game is rewarding however, and you’ll get a real sense of accomplishment every time you make a risky move that works in your favor.
While designed as a single player game, I’ve had a lot of fun playing Suzuki Bakuhatsu with one or two friends. Having multiple people involved allows for collective brainstorming that can both help and hinder the situation at hand. It’s nice to have others to help you strategize, but it soon becomes apparent that as the thought processes are multiplied, so are the doubts to their relative helpfulness.
If you want to give this Japan exclusive PS1 game a try, you’ll need something that can play Japanese Playstation games if you decide to track down a copy of Suzuki Bakuhatsu for yourself. Barring that, you’ll have to resort to emulation; may your searches be ever fruitful