Crush 3D Review

Crush 3D (henceforth just ‘Crushed’) is clever puzzle game recently released on the 3DS after originally being made for the PSP. The game uses the transition from 2D to 3D (and vice versa) as the primary puzzle theme. The idea of the game is to help the main character, Danny, collect marbles and then exit the level by reaching the portal. Doing so, however, is by no means an easy task and you will need to make use of Danny’s ability to transfer the dimensional plane from 3D to 2D and back to solve the puzzles.

There isn’t a great story involved in the game. Essentially a crazy doctor has developed a program which enables the user to navigate the contents of their own mind. After testing the program out, Danny becomes stuck in the program (or his mind) and is then required to collect marbles (I’m guessing a reference to the saying ‘lost your marbles’) and progress through a number of levels before being released from the program.

Each level is a basic combination of platforms, balls, switches, and enemies. While the levels might sound easy enough, you quickly find yourself in positions where you cannot progress forward, be it because of a gap that is too far to jump, or a wall far too high to jump up to. This is where the real puzzle element comes in, as Danny has the ability to “crush” the level. If you have played any of the Paper Mario titles, you will have some idea of what this is like. Crushing the level switches the view from one dimensional perspective to another, which enables Danny to progress. When you crush a level, you will find that seemingly impossible to navigate levels become solvable. For instance, a platform that appears in the distance in 3D will appear in front of Danny in 2D, meaning he can now walk across it to progress. Using the camera to change the viewing perspective becomes the key to solving levels.

In the beginning, the puzzles are relatively easy and the game utilises a helpful tutorial system, the crazy doctor, to show you the ropes. However as you progress, the levels becomes increasingly difficult and they will most likely result in some frustration. You can use hints throughout, which is pleasing considering the later difficulty you are going to have to contend with.

Visually, the game looks presentable enough without being great. The ability to play the game using 3D graphics works well with this title, with its emphasis on 3D/2D transitions. The game doesn’t boast anything special aurally, but the music and sound effects work well enough.

By no means is Crushed a perfect game; it becomes incredibly difficult towards the end and there is little incentive to play the game beyond the first run through. You can unlock new costumes (in this case, pyjamas) and artwork by collecting trophies and pictures throughout the levels, and you can replay the levels in trophy mode, but beyond this, replay value is minimal.