Friday, July 13, 2007

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.

23 comments:

The Sports Satirist said...

This is such a cool blog. There are so many games that we both like.

CaptainCraft said...

Great blog. I miss the old Nintendo System from the late eighties. I still think that it was the best.

kowpuncher said...

i liked it :D please continue with your blogging

manex rose said...

I only can see that you only like bad games, the first game that can be played on internet on the wii is pokemon battle revolucion, it opens a new era of online wii games, and you dont buy it, well you like the same games as my mother, and armored core 4 has incredible gameplay, virtua tennis can also be played on playstation 3, and its the revolution for tennis games, just that you like oldies games doesnt mean those are bad, so be careful on what you laugh and what you adore

High Power Rocketry said...

: )

ehanson said...

Nice minute by minute reviews of these video games. Congratulations, on making "Blogs of Note" also.

Oriolesfan said...

Hey man nice blog I'm just getting mine started

Kaleigh and Sky said...

I wanna play!!

Lauren said...

I think you may have sold me.

Patagonia Community said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog's concept. Very innovative, very entertaining. GREAT idea.

Anubhav said...

You are addictive... almost as addictive as much as Hobotopia or Civilization IV... Bring them on

Bhavna said...

Hey really cool post.....games n games put together in a new way....good ....keep blogging buddy

btw are u obsessed by games??

La vie est belle- Life is beautiful said...

Aww how adorable! A blog about video games! Hahaha this site just never gets old...

La vie est belle- Life is beautiful said...

Aww how adorable! A blog about video games! Haahaha this site just never gets old...
:)

The Sports Satirist said...

One hour is more than enough time to determine if a game is worth playing. Good choice :-)

SmartJack said...

nice blog. Keep blogging.....

valentin10 said...

really amazing, there are a lot of good video games it's very great, nice blog congratulations !!!

Kate said...

haha... funny stuff :)

Adrian said...

Thanks for the review - I've been considering this PSP puzzler and now I'm convinced I should pick it up prior to my next business/leisure trip.

Great blog idea, great blog.

Unknown said...

Check out my blog!http://robercik123.blogspot.com/
I have lots of game reviews on my blog!

Joseph Stevens said...

What a great idea for a blog!







123TeachMe.com

CA.SH said...

I don't even play games and I found this interesting. Great. :]

El Negrito said...

This is a great blog...I love games