Beetle Breaker is the latest puzzle game from Chillingo, one which combines the shooting tactics of Taito's Bust-a-Move with a little light destruction of the insect world.
How do I use the fire bugs in Beetle Breaker?
The bomber bug is a general, one-time explosion type of bug, and they detonate when you tap the screen. You'll want to use it when you need to eliminate a smaller piece of the floating structure, or to set off a chain reaction of bombs left behind by the bomber bugs.
How do I use the bomber bugs in Beetle Breaker?
The bomber bugs explode into three smaller eggs once you tap on the screen, so you'll want to use them strategically. Blow them up so that their projectiles line up closely with a structure. That way, when you hit them with a regular bug, they create a combo-related chain reaction that can take out the structure much more quickly. The closer you get to 100 percent, the closer you get to completion.
How do I use the twins bugs in Beetle Breaker?
Once you tap on the screen after launching this particular bug, it'll split into two halves. Launched the right way, this can do a catastrophic amount of damage to a level. Save these guys for when you want to get a real good blast going, or if you need to set off two strings of bomber bug eggs in one shot.
Are there any tactics I'll want to master in Beetle Breaker?
There's one really cool thing to keep in mind - beetles can bounce off walls. You can fire them in straight shots if you prefer, but bouncing them off the walls will allow you to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
How does that work in practice? Well, in one stage, you'll need to burst a bubble before you can get to the wood structure itself. To do this, you'll need to get to its vulnerable point at the top left half of the screen. Bouncing any of your given insects up there should allow you to burst it with ease.
How do I complete a stage in Beetle Breaker?
You'll want to destroy 90 percent or more of the wood piece that floats overhead. Achieving a higher percentage will earn you more stars in a stage, as will reaching certain objectives like having so many bugs left over, or saving a particular kind of bug for last. There's no penalty for restarting a stage, so if you think you've made a mistake, don't hesitate to start over.
Are there any other noteworthy bugs in Beetle Breaker?
A few actually, and as you progress through the game you'll gain access to more and more. They're mostly similar to each other when it comes to their explosive capabilities, but some require a bit of strategy. For instance, the mine bug enables you to drop two mines on a stage, with a third tap to detonate. You'll want to make sure these are close together, so that you can set off a chain reaction.
How can I access the special bugs sooner in Beetle Breaker?
You'll have to wait till later in the stage to use them freely, but in the early stages, there is a neat spinning bonus wheel which gives you random bugs for finishing off a stage. It's a good way to sample the special bugs that open up later on.
Just keep in mind that you'll need to spend gems in order to earn these extra spins. If you don't have any, you'll either need to purchase some using real cash, or restart the stage and try to complete it with your current supply.
What can I unlock in Beetle Breaker?
Scattered throughout each stage are gems and stars. You can automatically collect these by blasting a bug within their vicinity. You must complete the stage successfully in order to hang onto these permanently. Restarting the stage will eliminate them.
What perks are available in Beetle Breaker?
There are four. Each one costs 250 coins.
The first is Explosive Power, which temporarily increases the blast range of the bugs for one stage.
The second, Fly Simulation, shows a pattern line where your bug is heading in the stage.
The third, Diamonds Seed, increases the chances of picking up bonus diamonds in a stage. You still need to complete it with 90 percent or better to collect them, though.
The final one is the Wealth Seed. This provides the Bomber and Miner with one additional egg apiece, which will expand their explosive firepower once impacted.
What upgrades are available in Beetle Breaker?
There are three for your basic bugs when you start, although others can be accessed once you unlock new bugs. They're 250 coins apiece.
For the Bomber bugs, the lines between bomb eggs connect at a larger distance.
For regular Fire bug, stars and bonuses are automatically collected with their explosion. NOTE: this is not the case for gems.
Finally, for Twins bugs, their explosive capability increases, with each half providing the same range as a single beetle.
Do I have to pay for anything in Beetle Breaker?
Eventually yes. Although you can earn gems and coins with each completed stage, they become increasingly tougher, and in order to gain additional chances to complete them, you may be tempted to drop some money.
The game's purchases range from $1.99 - which provides you with 10 gems - to $9.99, which gives you 80 gems. From there, you can convert gems to coins, with a turnaround ratio of about 5 gems to 500 coins. If you want a bigger trade value, 50 gems gets you 9,000 coins.
