Do you ever get the impression that construction crews are having way more fun than they let on? That maybe after you round the corner they throw down their hoagies and cold coffee, toss safety concerns to the wind, and break out the bombing runs and the limbo? Nitrome thinks so too, and the result is Rubble Trouble, a physics based game of that most cherished of pastimes; blowin' junk up.
Similar to Demolition City in concept, the goal is to destroy enough of a structure on each level to make a certain amount of cash for your hard work. You'll have a variety of tools at your disposal to get the job done. Some things, like nitro, can just be clicked into place wherever you want them and they'll explode automatically. Others, such as the missiles you'll find (yes, found missiles), actually need to be guided to their destination with the mouse. Certain tools are more expensive than others, so you'll have a limited number of uses for them. Fail to meet the requirements for a level within the time frame or before running out of explosives and you'll have to start the level over. If you need a break, tap [P] to pause. To restart a level if you see failure looming on the horizon, tap [R].
Certain building materials are sturdier than others and will require specific tools to destroy in one shot, while others behave in different ways when an explosion is introduced. Don't think you can just start flinging around explosives like Mardi Gras beads, as certain levels will have conditions designed to put a bit of restraint into your destructive tendencies. Think you can destroy a teetering tower without causing damage to its surroundings? How about using nitro to deliver a stranded coworker safely to the ground? What do you mean, "safety regulations"? We don't need no steekeeng safety regulations! Bombs away!
Analysis: Saying that Nitrome designs a good looking game is a bit like stating that tidal waves are damp, or taunting a pitbull is a bad idea. Rubble Trouble is no exception with the trademark crisp visuals and quirky characters that make every game such a pleasure to look at. You've got a variety of "found" tools at your disposal, fragile melon shops to avoid, oddball crew members, and the end result is a lot like what one imagines a construction company run by the Mythbusters would be like if they stopped worrying about safety. Which is to say, over the top firepower resulting in massive property damage, followed by boyish giggling and high fives all 'round.
The game keeps itself from degenerating into a mindless blast-fest with the restrictions that some levels impose. The time limit is something to keep your eye on for your score's sake, but it doesn't pose an issue itself. The problem is that not every object behaves like it should. Chief offender is the wrecking ball, which behaves like a yo-yo on an elastic rather than a massive tool of destruction, but you'll also occasionally see heavy buildings held aloft by a single surviving column of materials as long as no damage was done to it. I'm fairly certain that if this was the way real construction behaved, I would have gotten a much better grade in my high school engineering class.
If you can forgive these shortcomings, Rubble Trouble is a fun and occasionally tricky little physics puzzle with that turns construction work into a noble, monocle-wearing calling. The game's 30 levels likely won't consume your entire day, but it's an afternoon of explosive fun for those of you who need a bit more destruction in your day. Which is probably all of you.
Finally, a Nitrome game I can enjoy for over 30 minutes, let alone 5. This is a good one.
I must be missing something with the drill, because I can't get past the second level :(
There isn't really a time limit. It's just there for those who want to compete on the highscore boards. It's a bonus for those people who get the job done quickly.
You can take as long as you like to complete a level if all you want to do is finish the game.
Ah, it goes vertically, too!
This is fuuuuuuuuuuuun!!!!!!!
help ... level 23 plz
been playing this for a while, but i lent my laptop to my buddy while he's in the hospital so I have to start over.... :(
jfgi-
level 23
Level 16. Ragequit. I know exactly what I'm supposed to do but it NEVER HAPPENS.
Ah, the old "state what's wrong and it gets fixed instantly" trick. Seems to work every time..
O hai! I lurv this game, but I am thoroughly dumbfounded as to hao you beat this one level. I don't quite recall the number, but it consists of a large arrow-shaped tower and a factory. I can't figure out how to beat it. I have absolutely no idea whatsoever. The tools you get are drills and airstrikes. Any help?
Wonderfully cute game, lots of explosions and strategy. Once again, my favorite gamers have delivered a recreational masterpiece. Well done Nitrome!
AHHHH!! I'm so close! Level 29!! Help! Any tips? This level is nuts!
@Joel:
If you haven't figured it out already,
I beat the game!
This is my favourite Nitrome game for quite a while. But it does suffer from the 'I know exactly what I'm trying to do but I can't do it' syndrome on several levels.
Pretty fun game. I'm on level 20-something. Figured I'd take a break. A couple of levels took several tries to get just right, but no rage-quitting kinda stuff yet. Fun and casual game.
Hmm, not too keen on this one. Many levels that required ludicrous precision. Took way too many tries with the level with the ming museum where you're only allowed cannonballs and the power meter fills up too fast for precision; gave up on the level with four guys up on the roof where you can't even drop their platform a couple of storeys without them all dying.
But then, I often don't get that into Nitrome games. I enjoyed Parasite, but most of the others I've tried I didn't like.
Got stuck for an hour on 20 (I think)...
The one with the drills and the AS.
Finally finished it. Nice one Nitrome.
I like their puzzles more than the platformers... Icebreaker is their all time best imo.
I seriously cannot get past lvl 16!!!
any help??
> Saying that Nitrome designs a good
> looking game is a bit like stating
> that tidal waves are damp, or taunting
> a pitbull is a bad idea.
Actually pitbulls are one of the most human-friendly breeds out there. Unlikely to attack a human even after repeated abuse by that human (which is why they are so often used for dogfighting, sadly).
Just thought I'd do my part to combat breed prejudice...
> Saying that Nitrome designs a good
> looking game is a bit like stating
> that tidal waves are damp, or taunting
> a pitbull is a bad idea.
Actually pitbulls are one of the most human-friendly breeds out there. Unlikely to attack a human even after repeated abuse by that human (which is why they are so often used for dogfighting, sadly).
Just thought I'd do my part to combat breed prejudice...
Level 14 doesn't load for me, even if I deactivate Adblock Plus.
Okay, now it does load.
any advice for Job 27
Thanks Ellis! I finally got it- and even though I hate the wrecking ball with a fiery passion, I finished the game!
One of my fave Nitrome games by far!
Help! any help on level 20? Plz?
Woohoo! A new Nitrome game! I is jumping up and performing my happy dance! :-)
Level 11, seriously, i blast the cannonball out and it just stops in mid air or just above the second (lowest) level of explosives. Grr
Melon shop? Melon shop?! That ain't no steenking melon shop! That's a marrow greenhouse.
(A marrow is a courgette - oh hell - if you insist - a zucchini - that's been allowed, or encouraged, to grow big. Really big. Several pounds big at least. Growing them is a serious competitive activity in certain parts of northern England (and I don't mean Scotland.... oh never mind).)
Lv 20 rage quit. Please help me! The airstrikes don't seem very helpful...
Also, It's possible to achieve levitation on some levels. I first noticed this on level 18. If two corner tiles are adjacent, but the solid parts don't actually touch each other, the middle metal part can appear as if it is levitating. I will see if this effect can be achieved on other levels. Try it!
God, Level 20 is a brain-buster. Someone help.
Ok, for lvl. 20:
oh, one more thing:
I'm still confused. None of the tactics worked.
Level 20 is really simple.
Also. Loved level 30. Guess the idea was to finally be able
Help with level 28? I can destroy the building but can't get the guy out from the steel square.
i Just started and job 12 is annoying me.
@howbigis1gb
Damit. Just replayed it using your method. It SUCKS!
(lit. works the first time)
I need to know how to get the guy out of the super steel box with only a chain gun!
Help plz!
how do you do level 19?
I need help with level 29. Any ideas?
i can't get past lvl 16
I haven't beaten it but for 29
Yay! another nitrome game ruined by its own ambition! The cannon is useless, everything in unrepeatable and it gets annoying after 5 levels! standard nitrome!
for level 29
How do I beat level 19????
This is the third Nitrome game in three months. Do they actually make them EVERY MONTH? I've known their games about a year or two, but I didn't know they came out with new games so quickly. I hope this one's better than Avalanche (see my comment there). Yes, I mean the recent Nitrome game.
AAAACK! Stuck on level 14! I get the guy down on the ground, destroy everything else (except the unbreakable steel stuff), but it still says that I need about 100 more dollars. Please help, somebody?
@ Keynant. Wait; are you saying the method sucks because it's no fun? Cos it sure as hell works. Check the walkthrough link below. (I hope the link I posted wasn't an infraction on the rules)
Help on the last level please!
level 19 is SOOOOOOO TRICKY! I know how to destroy the building without hurting anything but how do u get the worker down?!?!?!?
I'm having some difficulty with level 26. I can't wrap my head around the problem.
Any help would be appreciated.
i can't beat level 9 help!
im stuck on level 15 any help?
On Level 29,
I just don't get level 30.
I can't beat level 19! Any help?
can't get past level 11! Need help PLEASE!
i need help on level 10. i need the angle and power of the shot. help please???
Level 28?? I can blow everything up, but I can't get the guy out of the steel box!!! I need to use a grabber or somehting.
HELP stuck on level 19 i cannot get the building or the guy down without destroying the firework place please someone help !!!!
how to pass the last level?
need help lvl 25
help me stuck on level 28
Cant get pass level 16. No matter what!!
I don't care what anyone says, there's no way past level 25, at all, no matter what you do.
The limited cycle time of the thumper 100% guarantees you can't keep the unbalanced building balanced within the ludicrously tiny space they give you between two buildings that make you fail the instant you scratch one.
Nitrome, you really, really want us to hate you a lot, don't you? Why else create something so sadistically impossible? What did we ever do to you?
Level 25 is possible!
How To Win Level 28 On Rubble Trouble?I can destroy the building but I can't get the worker out of the metal square block....It is impossible!
how do you beat job 30 it's impossible!
How can you pass lvl 16? it is IMPOSSIBLE!
For Level 30
Please help me I can't get past level 9! :O
ok for level 20
USe the drill from the bottom left of the tower and work your way up.when use get to the first dynamite, disconnect the building from the metal thing and it will fall to the side.
Help on lv.24
ARGH! I just can't beat level 28!
how do you get past level 14? the guy dies everytime i try to get him down!!!
P.S: nitrome rules!!
I still can't win level 20. It's so annoying. Ive tried everything but it still won't work and i've tried it 20 times more maybe. HELP!! But nitrome still rules.
How do I beat level 11????
yo, how do i beat lvl 27, im stuck
for level 20, i understand how to do it. it takes several tries though.
help on number 19 please its so hard
never mind i got it it takes some time a steady hand and patience
and you will win
Guys, please how do I get past level 22?
I have destroyed all the blocks and got the target amount too.
target-1000, earned-1060
It still won't let me pass.
help! help!
Tip for level 11:
i need help with level 31 i just cant get it
and yes i do mean level 31 three-one
How do you beat level 31 of Rubble Trouble ( New York )
hint on level 31
to beat level 31 use the torch like a wrecking ball
Use the torch? There's no torch on level 31, please help! I can't explode the steel protected area!
I got it. Level 31.
This is pretty cool.
help me in level 11
in need help for 12 plzzzz help
Please someone help me with level 28!
Update