Bombshells: Hell’s Belles Review

Bombshells: Hell's Belles had me at hello with its testosterone driven premise.  In a Top Gun driven world of air battles, you play a sexy female pilot bent on clearing the skies from meathead flyboys from the T.O.O.L organization.  With a beautiful lady manning your sky fighter, a healthy share of missiles and world beating gunfire at your side, who could complain?  The biggest bombshell, and it's not a good one, is the importance of skybucks.

Money does make the world go 'round, and if you want to go deeper into single player mode in Bombshells: Hell's Belles, skybucks are definitely needed.  After your first big aerial mission you need skybucks to purchase the right set of weaponry and items to continue.  If this was a necessity several missions into the game, then shelling out real cash for skybucks wouldn't have irritated me.  To need Skybucks 5-10 minutes into this third person shooter is frustrating, especially since Bombshells: Hell's Belles could have flown at a much higher creative altitude.  Replete with sharp visuals, Bombshells: Hell's Belles makes excellent use of the iPad.  Holding both your hands on each side of the iPad, you navigate your vehicle through the skies as you touch the screen to fire at your opponent as well as speed up your plane.  As much as I love Maverick, saving the day as the sexy Siren makes for a really smooth ride.

Even with all my skybucks complains, Bombshells: Hell's Belles saves itself as an online multiplayer game, and sometimes all a title needs is Arena Deathmatch mode. Although I found myself at the losing end of most battles, the seamless and straightforward gameplay was definitely rewarding.  Plus you earn skybucks and xplodium (the other form of currency) by joining more multiplayer matches and killing your fellow combatants.  If you spend five minutes sans any kind of kill, you earn nothing.  This method is the only way to advance in the single player game, and although earning currency in Bombshells: Hell's Belles is a slow go, blasting strangers or your online friends under Arena Deathmatch is pure fun.

Another positive element lies in the intended corny dialogue in the game.  The oft used phrases "That's what she said." and "Wild ride!" are employed in the game's introductory title sequence, and you can bet the word tool is used to comedic effect as well.  During the battles your pilot will do her own color commentary, offering up quips left and right.  Your pilot will often occasionally utter "Next time your ass is mine, mother*****!" and considering the thrust of the game, that comment can either be taken as a violent threat or a sexual innuendo.  Or maybe both?

Bombshells: Hell's Belles exists as an enjoyable enough game thanks to its solid visuals and engaging enough action.  I just wish the title didn't require your money in single player mode so soon.  If you want to earn your online currency through hours of multiplayer action, that's not such a bad idea.  The game should keep you interested simply on a visceral level, but you still may be a bit pissed at the immediate cash grab from your wonderful "bombshell."  Those may be sexy belles waiting to fly your plane, but unfortunately, if you need your single player action served up this very minute, it'll cost you.