Siesta Fiesta (Nintendo 3DS) Review

Most of Siesta Fiesta sees the player controlling a bed. The rationale for this is never really explained. There's not even a hint of a coherent storyline; it's almost as if the makers started off with the name and worked backwards. Not that it matters, of course - a title like this couldn't care less about making sense. Anyway, the bed is used to bounce a falling ball around the screen and hit blocks to give points. The Touch Screen is used to control the bed, which works perfectly. There's also the option to use the Circle Pad, but isn't recommended due to the reduced precision.

The first major deviation from Breakout is that the screen is constantly moving from left to right. This means that the environment is constantly changing and hitting blocks is a race against time before they disappear. It is also puts a limiter on most level lengths, with each one coming in at a couple of minutes.

Hitting the ball at the correct angle and sending it flying off at the correct speed is a vital aspect of the game, meaning that there is a focus on genuine skill. However, some of the blocks move, whilst others act only to bounce the ball around vigorously. This does mean that some sections have an element of randomness, but whether this can be qualified as "luck" is questionable due to the predictable nature of where the blocks will be. Care has been taken to make each level unique, due to the differing designs and use of features. For example, there is one that revolves around lighting a fuse, and then hitting all the patches of water in its path to keep the light alive. The levels are further grouped into worlds of a common theme. Within each different one items are also available, causing effects such as multiple balls at once, a more springy bed, or turning the ball into a destructive fireball.

There's also the completely unexpected addition of boss battles. They all involve hitting the enemy in a specific way. Whilst they are not exactly the most challenging puzzles ever seen, it is a testament to the design that often it is not immediately clear how to inflict damage. For such a seemingly simple title, there is a healthy dose of variety throughout. There are also more than 60 levels to enjoy, which really is quite generous.

The game delivers an intriguing idea on the concept of delivering a challenging title. Keeping the ball from falling on the floor is actually relatively easy, and there are several lives to go through in case the odd mistake is made. This means that completing levels and whizzing through the game is a doddle, regardless of gaming ability. However, for each level a score and a medal is given (either bronze, silver, or gold) depending on the performance (resembling the likes of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat). Getting a gold medal every time requires ninja-like reactions, and the smallest mistake can blow it for levels that rely on combos. The short lengths mean that the frustration is never too high, though.

Strangely, the medals are not required to unlock anything, and in fact serve no benefit at all other than personal satisfaction. It is refreshing that no-one will be forced to replay levels until they get a sufficient score, but it does mean that most of the game can be completed without much skill or even effort. The levels are meant to be replayed, though, and it's clear that mere completion is not really the aim.

Graphically, the game holds up as well as could be expected. The in-game backgrounds are quite lovely and the match the theme of a given level. Considering how detailed and colourful they are it is surprising that they don't cause any distraction to the sometimes manic gameplay occurring in the foreground. The tunes are also rather catchy, and the audio as a whole gets a thumbs-up despite a high pitched voice that may not suit everyone. There's a real sense that different aspects of the title have been brought together under a common theme, with playfulness and fun present in everything. Siesta Fiesta doesn't take itself too seriously, allowing focus to be drawn onto playing the game and having a good time whilst doing so.