Super Rub a Dub

It was once stated that “all modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. (Ernest Hemingway)”

If the adventures of Huck Finn was, in essence, the last truly original American novel, then perhaps that same presumption can be stated in regards to the video-game arcade genre. Sure, a different root game – like, say, Pac Man – but most of the modern exercises in arcade gaming are hybrids or updates of classic concepts. That, by no means, makes them any less entertaining, but there is a sense of familiarity with most of them.

And that includes Super Rub a Dub, the Sony title being released through the PlayStation Store for the PS3 console. Sumo Digital and SCEA are behind the game, which is – to state it simply – about saving baby ducks.

The game plays out like this – you have a “mother” duck that has to navigate a course, free the baby ducks from their bubbles by bumping them and then guide the babies to the exit. How that is done is the interesting aspect of the game. You use the SIXAXIS controller to tilt the table, which is suspended in space … which also has pitfalls, including no edges and wind-up sharks that like to chew on ducks.

This is a family style game, no doubt, and can be played by up to four people. The time in which the ducks are all guided home determines the winner. If you fall off the edge of the board, and take ducks with you, any ducks not guided to the exit add time. Collect a string of ducks to take to the exit and you have time subtracted from your total. The longer the string, the more time is taken off. Your time is compared to other scores online, and medals can be awarded for reaching certain marks.

There are three game levels – Fun, Tricky and Tough – with 20 progressively harder levels within each setting. Up to four players can compete in the timed competition.

Each level consists of a water-filled tray that the mother duck will swim in. There are maze-like elements as well. As you are going for the best time, learning to navigate the “pond” in the most efficient manner is a key element. Not only does the SIXAXIS tilt the tray but if you drop the controller quickly, you can bounce your duck over walls, sharks or other obstacles.

The game has a very good look, which adds to the pleasure. These are rubber ducks, of the variety often found floating in bath tubs. The water looks amazing and moves like water (even when you get to the vortex level), and the environments are wonderfully rendered 3D. The music is like pabulum. It is soft, lilting and can get on the nerves after about 10 minutes because it loops. Add in the quacking and some water sounds and you get the idea of what is presented.

The controls are very easy to understand, and the game can be a lot of fun in multiplayer mode. A family group, starting in age at 10 and stopping in the late teen-age range en route to adult/parent, tackled the multiplayer and it was rather entertaining.

The game has not yet been released on the PlayStation Store, so there may be some tweaking still to do, such as correcting the spelling of the word “brilliant,” so it does not say “billiant” – unless, of course, that is a play on words referring to the duck’s bill. After all, the game can score an effort as “ducktastic.” But even my 10-year old thought “billiant” was a spelling mistake.

Super Rub a Dub is visually appealing and the gameplay is simple. These two factors score big when you create an arcade game. While the gameplay has a familiar feel, the game still packs in a bit of entertainment value and would make a good family game.

Gameplay: 7.0
The gameplay mechanics are simple and easy to understand. The game does lack variety and pairs the replay value with trying to beat timed results.

Graphics: 8.3
It looks very good with bright characters and settings. The animations are also very good.

Sound: 6.0
Not a lot of elements here.

Difficulty: Medium
Easy to learn, tough to master.

Concept: 7.3
A familiar feeling game, though it is well realized and looks very good.

Multiplayer: 7.0
Beating another person playing in multiplayer is much more satisfying than trying for a time that is judged against faceless online scores.

Overall: 7.5
This is a good offering for the arcade portion of the PlayStation Store. It is not an innovative arcade title, but makes good use of the SIXAXIS controller. The game looks good, plays well and is fun in a group setting. What more can you ask for from an arcade title?