Review: Crush (PSP)
The PSP is starting to offer more and more reasons for purchase, but still no "killer app". Crush, from Sega, is a brand new puzzle/platform game that just adds to the multitude of unique and compelling titles for Sony's maligned handheld. Similar to Super Paper Mario, Crush features a 2d-to-3d style of game play that is so unique and refreshing (yes, unique even being so similar to Super Paper Mario) you'd be crazy not to pick it up. That is, if you had a PSP. The storyline is superficial but endearing, you are an insomniac seeking help and get plugged into a crazy dream machine called Crush. The atmosphere is eerie, like something out of Psychonauts or Invader ZIM, and the point is to collect enough marbles hidden around a level in order to advance to the next. You rotate the screen in order to get a better angle and "crush" back to 2d to access areas you wouldn't normally be able to access. It almost feels like a compilation of puzzles found in a dungeon in any given Zelda game - which is a good thing. No, it's a GREAT thing.
If booting up your PSP doesn't depress you like it does me, read on for the full review and find out exactly why you should pick up this gem.
Shininess: As far as PSP games go, Crush is quite pretty. The cut scenes are hand drawn and have a distinct style, and the environments are eerie. The voice acting is surprisingly great, and compliments the creepy/wacky writing. Having a storyline seems a tad bit unnecessary for a puzzle game, but it's not in any way a deterrent. It's just kinda there.
Funness: Crush takes what made Zelda dungeons great and mixes that kind of puzzle solving satisfaction with completely non-irritating platforming and cool 2d to 3d puzzle solving. It's actually quite hard to explain as I sit down to write this! The challenge lies in changing the camera angle in order to see where objects and paths are hidden, and crushing back to 2d in order to access said items and areas. And Crush gets real hard real fast. If you are a die-hard puzzle game fan, this is the perfect game for you. The learning curve isn't very steep but it becomes a real head-scratcher after the first 5 or so levels.
Worthiness: With plenty of unlockables and a rather impressive difficulty level, Crush has a good deal of replay value. If you are a fan of Zelda, Super Paper Mario, or any of the multitude of puzzle games out there (Tetris, etc) Crush is a must-have. Will it sell more PSPs? No. But with games like this, it sure can't hurt at this point to grab one.
Score: 4/5 Buy it!
What say you?!