[3DS] Crush 3D - dimension shifting puzzle game for $20 new at Gamestop

UncleSporky

Crush 3D is a 3DS port of a PSP game.

This game, with the worst box art imaginable:



Now it looks like this, but I have no idea whether to call it better or worse:

Wikipedia wrote:

Crush is a platformer-puzzle video game developed by Kuju Entertainment's Zoë Mode studio and published by Sega in 2007 for the PlayStation Portable. Its protagonist is Danny, a teenager suffering from insomnia, who uses an experimental device to explore his mind and discover the cause of his sleeplessness. Each level of the game, representing events from Danny's life and inspired by artists such as Tim Burton and M.C. Escher, requires the player to control Danny as he collects his "lost marbles" and other thoughts.

Crush's primary gameplay feature involves manipulating each game level between 3D and 2D views, allowing the player to reach platforms and locations inaccessible from within a different view.

It's tough to describe how the game plays, so here is a video:



September 2011, pshh, yeah right!

It came out in Europe on Jan 13, which means it's already got a substantial set of reviews at Metacritic, unfortunately a middling 71 (the original PSP game has an 83, by comparison).

Its American release date is said to be 3/6, though Gamestop puts it at 3/13, which is only significant because for who knows how long, they are selling it for $20, which pushes it into impulse buy territory for me.

So, Crush. Did you play it on PSP? Are you European and have it on 3DS? Did you like it? Is it worth it?

I have to admit the art style seems quite haphazard and unappealing, so I'm totally relying on the quality of the puzzles for this to be a worthwhile game.





Oh, also, there is a demo of it on the eShop if you want to give it a try!

TheBosZ

The demo was actually quite fun, but too short. If it were an eShop game, I'd get it no problem. But since it's a full-retail release, I'm a little hesitant.

Any good reviews yet?

UncleSporky

I tend to trust Nintendolife. I discovered them by searching for DSiware reviews and for a long time they were the only site consistently taking Nintendo's download fare seriously, reviewing everything that came down the pipe. Obviously a very Nintendo-oriented site but they seem fair.

They gave Crush 3D a 7/10, which is pretty much the consensus on it.

CRUSH3D is enjoyable, challenging and unique among the 3DS's current library. Its central idea never quite ignites into genius-level design and it sometimes descends into trial and error, but it's worth a look for puzzle fans.

Watching an early level, the graphics don't bother me as much as when they're cut together into a garish trailer.

Brainiac 8

The demo sold me, it's just a super neat idea and worked pretty awesomely. For twenty, I'll definitely give this a go.

Ov3rcharge

20 big ones eh? Damn, I might have to pick this up.

Sangheili91

Aaaand pre-ordered. The demo didn't exactly wow me, but for $20 I'm sure it'll provide plenty of entertainment.

skeldare

How did this thread totally get past me?

Yeah, that $20 deal is totally worth it even with the extra week wait.

Sangheili91

I got a text from Gamestop this morning that said my pre-order would be available for pick-up tomorrow. But I thought GS wasn't getting it until next week? Anyone else get that?

skeldare

It's possible that your store got it in early.

Edit: At least compared to the date on the site.

maximumzero

Sega's weird. I managed to pick up Sonic Unleashed the saturday before it's Tuesday release date.

Sangheili91

I went to Gamestop to see if they had it today. They did, but it was street-dated so they wouldn't sell it to me. The guy didn't know what was up with the text either. Lame.

skeldare

Sangheili91 wrote: »

I went to Gamestop to see if they had it today. They did, but it was street-dated so they wouldn't sell it to me. The guy didn't know what was up with the text either. Lame.

Wow, since when does Gamestop honor street dates.

Sangheili91

Whelp I went and picked it up today, and they happily gave it to me this time. I haven't spent much time with it, but it seems like the demo is pretty indicative of the overall experience of the game. I'm still not 100% sold on the mechanic, and it seems like it really lacks all-around polish in a lot of areas, particularly the animation and the sound design, which is downright grating. I think I'll be playing this game on mute from now on. But still, for $20 I'm sure it'll turn into a pretty decent puzzler.