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Oh hey, Echochrome (PS3/PSP) is available today and it's only $10!
Lunker
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/04/30/echochrome-arrives-tomorrow/
Echochrome trailer
Ten dollars is an absurdly great pricepoint; it's an interesting tack because they're making the levels different between the two versions but then chopping the price in half (I was expecting the game to be $20). It's available via digital distribution only, but I'll definitely be grabbing it tonight via the PC store for the PSP. I wonder if they'll ever make the other levels available to the opposite platforms.
Of note is the level creator, which Kumi (who is the associate producer of the game, BTW) talked about in his earlier post:
Echochrome trailer
Hello PlayStation.blog readers. It’s Kumi! First, I wanted to thank everyone for reading my last post announcing the free demo for echochrome.
So as promised, I am back to tell you just when you can get your hands of the full version. echochrome will be available for you to download this THURSDAY, MAY 1 on the PlayStation Store for the PS3 and via the PC Store for the PSP. Both versions will be available for $9.99, so make sure you have funds in your wallet! There are 56 unique levels on the PS3 version, as well as 56 completely different levels on the PSP version (112 levels overall), so no matter if you are sitting at home or on the go, there are plenty of puzzles for you to wrap your brain around.
If you did not see my last post and are wondering “What is echochrome?†It’s a fun and addictive puzzle game with really elegant and simple graphics. The concept is inspired by the famous MC Escher artwork, which explores infinity, architecture and impossible constructions. In echochrome, you control the camera and perspective on an infinite canvas, guiding a mannequin figure by carefully tilting and turning the level to create a continual pathway, allowing your character to walk safely through the design. Also, there is a Canvas mode, where you will be able to create your own puzzles from scratch and share them with your friends, or even the world! You can still download the demo for free and sharpen your skills before taking on the full version when it is released on Thursday.
Ten dollars is an absurdly great pricepoint; it's an interesting tack because they're making the levels different between the two versions but then chopping the price in half (I was expecting the game to be $20). It's available via digital distribution only, but I'll definitely be grabbing it tonight via the PC store for the PSP. I wonder if they'll ever make the other levels available to the opposite platforms.
Of note is the level creator, which Kumi (who is the associate producer of the game, BTW) talked about in his earlier post:
On PS3, you can upload your created levels to the developers through the game’s interface. Once uploaded, your creation will be considered by the developers for a future downloadable content release. In other words, if selected, people around the world could be playing your level!! Additional content will be available from Day 1. Initially, however, these levels will come from Japan or Asia since the game has been out there for a while already. We’re not exactly sure when we’ll start including US players’ levels, but we’re excited and waiting for customized levels from all of you!! You can also share the levels with your friends by sending your creations directly to them over the PlayStation Network. Stumping your friends is REALLY fun!
And for the PSP version, you can share the levels you create with other people in your area via wireless Ad Hoc. Cool, right?!?
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I love the English taglines in the embedded one on that page. I forgot we can inline YouTube vids for now so I popped a Japanese one into the OP.
I can't wait to tinker around with this, plus I'm always up for more digitally distributed content for the PSP. Though I'm horribly jealous for level-sharing on the PS3, but I'm wondering if there's some way for PSP users to download additional levels onto a Memory Stick.
Is there any way to get this game on my PSP that doesn't involve installing Sony software on my PC? I don't have a PS3 unfortunately, but I remember that a while back there were some Gamestops who would distribute PSP software via in-store PS3s...
I tried the demo out and it was pretty neat. I'll probably end up getting the full version.
PSN ID : Xander51 Steam ID : Xander51
this will be great fare for one of those rainy weekends when you just want to stay inside and sit on the couch.
So....you may not want to pass.
edit: The languages are verified, as I preordered the japanese UMD version. As for the levels...i'm still fighting my way through the game...
Battlenet: Judgement#1243
psn: KupoZero
$40 from play-asia seems pretty steep though, I was thinking it would have come out for like $20 or something.
true, but I'm a sucker for puzzle games, so it was no brainer for me.
Battlenet: Judgement#1243
psn: KupoZero
I like the PSStore, but I would rather have the game in a beautiful case amongst my other ones.. mmm, such a delicious collection
PSN: Dyvion -- Eternal: Dyvion+9393 -- Genshin Impact: Dyvion
45 MB
I am SO getting that tonight... right after I regain conciousness after playing AoC all night.
e: and thanks.
PSN: Dyvion -- Eternal: Dyvion+9393 -- Genshin Impact: Dyvion
Anyone any idea if this is even getting a UK release?
PSN: SirGrinchX
Oculus Rift: Sir_Grinch
It's not really obvious at first, but I believe each puzzle has a 10-minute time limit. One of the options is to have the timer visible, but I tend to leave it off since I'm just focusing on exploring the engine and relaxing. Echochrome is very, very soothing, even if you're tearing your hair out trying to figure out how to solve certain puzzles. I've only put about 40 minutes into it but I adore the classical soundtrack and the minimalist vibe. I'm a huge fan of having digital content on the PSP, so I'm looking forward to having this as a tiny bite-sized puzzler that's always on my Memory Stick. Pop it in, play for a few puzzles, turn it off. I think if I were to barrel through the game all in one go, focusing on blazing through as fast as possible, I'd get immensely frustrated.
The whole schtick of moving the perspective is really beautiful. Sometimes it's a little buggy, in that you think you have two surfaces lined up correctly but the game will tell you otherwise when your little dude doesn't walk the right way or you accidentally drop him off the screen. (He spawns back with no penalty other than waiting for him to come back.) I've only done puzzles from the first three courses but I've already had one scene that really stumped me, as in I couldn't figure out anything at the start but once I found the first method of transfer things blossomed open from there.
It obviously rewards experimentation and just flipping the camera around until you find a good spot to let your figure mannequin walk, but gradually I started learning how to read the screen and find a good line to solve the puzzle quickly. You have an unlimited amount of time at the beginning of each stage to look at it and rotate the camera, but when you're ready to start your figure dude will walk incessantly forward, turning left whenever he reaches an intersection that allows him to. You can play the game all in real time, with the guy always walking, but you can also "pause" the action with Triangle, which doesn't stop the timer but does stop the mannequin. He'll sit there and scratch his head along with you while you shift the camera, and then you can hit Triangle again to get him moving.
The best description I can come up with is that Echochrome is somewhere between Picross and a slow-mo Chu Chu Rocket. I like it so far, but it's one of those games where once you're done with the puzzles there isn't much to do aside from go through them again for faster times. I'm actually quite jealous of the PS3 version as you're able to share puzzles with friends via PSN and the developers have said they're going to take the best user-submitted stages and release them publicly as free DLC. The PSP version can swap via ad-hoc wireless, but that's it. So if you're the type of person who whips through something and never looks back, you may be left hungry afterward—but I'm the type of gamer who likes going back through Phoenix Wright and Guitar Hero, even though I've already beaten the games front-to-back dozens of times over.
PSN ID : Xander51 Steam ID : Xander51
That said, I'd love to get this game but sadly I lack both the systems that have it. It looks like a clever, fun game.
Spent a little time with it, similar to FlOw, more of an "experience" than a game. Cool music, well worth $10 if you're looking for a fun distraction.
I has assumed it was an Etcher drawing, where the figure would rotate with the level, but he doesn't.
PSN ID : Xander51 Steam ID : Xander51
It's really weird how relaxing the game can be even if you have no idea what to do. B8 in particular stumped me for a long time until I could get the guy off the top square.
There are two distinct versions, one for PS3, one for PSP, both available for download on the PSN store. The PSP version is also on the PC version of the store. I'm not sure if it's possible to gift games or not, I don't believe it is unfortunately. I'd love it if it was possible though.
EDIT: Lunker, I agree. I'm only just starting the B tier, but the aesthetic is just so relaxing that I'm enjoying every second even when I'm stumped. Plus, I love fiendishly rotating the level after a jump or a fall, just to see where I can catch the guy. It's quite mind-boggling sometimes.
PSN ID : Xander51 Steam ID : Xander51
猿も木から落ちる
This was the first and only thing I bought off PSN, half because it looks freakin' sweet and half out of penance for buying a few used PS3 games. I'm trying to support you, Sony! I'm glad I did - it is a great, sweet, cute, tough, creative little puzzler.
But between GTA, getting The Darkness, I just picked up Virtua Fighter 5 yesterday (god I love Virtua Fighter, please let them release VF5:R on PS3 with online) Echochrome's been getting no love.
I got the shit kicked out of me by one level on the A track! Ouch. Very ouch.
So yeah... no dice on DLC for the PSP - though apparently the PSP can upload user-created levels and share 'em with friends. It's a shame 'cause I really agree with that second comment - Echochrome really does seem suited to portable play.
Edit: not that some dudes on the PS blog who know as much as me are the be-all-and-end-all of truth on this subject, but for all my poking around all I could find was info about how it's coming to the PS3, and these comments.
You know there was a demo...
I did not.
Ah well. Only $10 wasted.
EDIT: And I'm only seeing a PSP demo here anyway.
Definitely a PS3 demo available. It's probably still on the top demos list in the main page.
That can't be done within the store, but in account management, under "Billing Information."
And yeah, the PS3 demo went up a week before the full game.
Also, this game is unequivocally awesome. It's relaxing and quite mindblowing. A little like Flow in some ways, but with more gameplay. I can see though how it wouldn't be for everyone, but given the hype around it after last year's E3, I'm still surprised there's not more discussion.
The first free puzzle pack is going up today as part of the PSN update.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/first-free-echochrome-levels-up-tomorrow/
PSN ID : Xander51 Steam ID : Xander51