Game Review: Mercury Meltdown (PSP)
Overview:
Mercury Meltdown is the latest in a series of puzzle games by Ignition Entertainment for the PSP. You control a board much like in Super Monkey Ball, and a little blob of mercury rolls around on it. You must take your blob to the end of the level, solving whatever puzzles are in your way, and retaining a pre-specified amount of your mercury. You can change colors, shape, forms, split in two, split in many parts, have parts fall off and get attacked by creatures that like to eat the liquid metal. It's a puzzle game that feels like The Incredible Machine meets Monkey Ball meets Marble Madness, but there's so much more. In a time where great PSP games are few and far between, Mercury Meltdown is a welcome sight. Click the jump for the full review.
Shininess:
For the PSP, this isn't a graphically amazing game. It does provide a unique art style, however, that is sorely missed in a lot of games these days. It's cel shaded for the most part, with the mercury outlined in an irregular black line. The levels are pretty much what you would expect from a puzzle game. The thing is, you aren't supposed to be looking at the graphics, particle effects or hdr lighting (which it has none), you are supposed to focus on the gameplay. Which I will get to. The music is catchy and not repetitive. It's appropriate for a puzzle game, sort of a driving techno soundtrack.
Funness:
Mercury Meltdown is tons of fun, and a solid puzzle game. The only issue I have is that it starts getting really difficult after just the second level, and there is some ridiculous number of levels like 160. How am I supposed to play any other game when I am trying to get through this insanely long puzzle game? Luckily, it's easy enough to pick up and play, complete a level, unlock some stuff, get some bonuses, and go back to whatever else you were doing. I like this about Mercury Meltdown. It has this fun science theme, and just like The Incredible Machine, feels like it was developed by scientists who just happened to know how to program games, rather than by game developers who know nothing about the subject they are tackling. The mercury is just too much fun to roll around, and there are tons of different puzzle types that keep you guessing.
Worthiness:
If you are looking for another great puzzler on the PSP besides Lumines, Mercury Meltdown is it. It's solid, challenging, fun, and has tons of replayability and unlockables. This is one for your collection. Pick it up on our Amazon Store!
Score: 3/5 Buy it!
What say you?!