Last year, EA and famed movie director Steven Spielberg collaborated on Boom Blox, which was a physics-based puzzle game, and it was successful enough to spawn a sequel, Boom Blox Bash Party. The focus on the sequel, which is due out next month, is to build on the strengths of the original game and expand on it. We got to see all the new additions to the game at an EA event in New York City last week.

The game retains all the mechanics of the original game and adds on to it, the biggest change is the addition of underwater and space environments that feature different physics to accommodate the different settings. The new physics allowed the developers to create levels with a new kind of challenge. The new environments also pave the way for the different worlds of the game that take you across air, space, land, and water. There are also new kinds of items in levels such as conveyer belts to increase the complexity, and also a slingshot tool that allows players to fling blocks or character at other blocks.

The emphasis on the sequel is to improve the multiplayer and the level sharing aspect. The amount of multiplayer stages is doubled compared to the original game. In the original game, level sharing only could be accomplished by sending it to another Wii if you had the console's friend code in your Wii address book. That feature has been retained, but in the sequel you can also submit your level to EA's servers. EA will then review the level and post it up so that it will be available for anyone to download. If a player likes a specific type of level, there will be an option where players will be able to find levels similar to the levels that they like. Users will also be able to search for levels by name.

One big enhancement that the developers are happy about is the level editor. While there was a level creator in the original, Bash Party allows players to create levels with the tools that the developers used to create the levels in the game, making it one of the most robust level creators available on any platform.

The game will also have a rewards system where players earn Boom Bux and use them to purchase different things ranging from items for the level editor to buying their way out of a tough level.

Overall, Boom Blox Bash Party looks like a great sequel and an impressive package because of all the enhancements that EA has made. The game will be available on May 19.