Crush

Developer: Zoe Mode
Publisher: Sega
Release Date: May 29, 2007
System: PSP
ESRB Rating: E10+ (for Everyone 10 and older)
Official Web site

In a nutshell: You got 3D platformer in my 2D platformer!

0:01 “This isn't how I dreamt life would turn out. Then again, what kid dreams of being hospitalized for insomnia.” I hope the game doesn't put me to sleep (rim shot).
0:03 Danny has a nice, sleepy slump in his posture. The little things matter!
0:04 Danny on the camera controls: “Seems pretty simple.” And it does.
0:06 Nice satisfying clap to crush the 3D and 2D together. TYou can get side and also top-down views. Nice.
0:07 “You need to collect marbles to open the exit, but given your psychological condition, they could be anywhere.” I smiled.
0:09 Most of this minute was spent watching a loading screen.
0:10 Different types of blocks have different properties in 2D and 3D. I'm worried I won't beable to remember which is which.
0:12 I climb around the back of a level to find some marbles, go to 2D to climb, and then back to 3D to reach the exit. Super Paper Mario was never this clever. First puzzle already more clever than Super Paper Mario.
0:14 “Oh, a block is moving. It's a dream come true.” This line is uttered with such a lack of enthusiasm that I almost cried with joy.
0:16 The doctor explaining the controls thinks that Sisyphus is a modern rock band? Even I know who Sisyphus is... and I'm not even a doctor!
0:18 Using the crush move to crush giant cockroaches = awesome!
0:22 More cut scene goodness. Danny was a cook, working late hours. Great still images and voice acting, pacing. I'm seriously impressed.
0:24 First real level. Moving the camera and figuring when to crush takes some getting used to, but I figure it out pretty quickly.
0:26 You can't fall off the level by running too far. A very nice feature -- don't have to worry so much about fine control. It's all about the puzzles.
0:27 I get a C on the second level. Takes me too long and too many crushes to figure out where to go.
0:30 Puzzle three has the first real brain bender. I've got to remember that far off things can become close. Tricksy.
0:33 I get a D on level 4. Getting tough quickly
0:39 Tough to find the one space where I can crush and still stand.
0:44 Camera angle changes = annoying.
0:48 Holy crap. The solution to this stage involves pushing a boulder then crushing in real time, all while finding a place to hide. At least the solution I find does... it might not be the best/right.
0:50 “You think I'm terrified of sand castles?” “What happened at the beach Danny?” Cut scene intrigue!
0:53 Crushing a cockroach with a giant orange ball = double awesome.
0:55 My percentages keep getting lower and lower. At this point I'm just happy to finish the level...


Would I play this game for more than an hour? Yes
Why? Original concept and great execution. Plus I love puzzle platformers.