Splash or Crash (3DS eShop) Review

In the world of video games, fun is becoming ever more difficult to define. Obviously fun kicks into gear when we enjoy something, but how should we feel when we start taking joy in activities or actions that probably shouldn’t be entertaining at all? Things like toilet cleaning, or slicing fruit. Are gamers at a point where they can be conned into anything, or have developers just become so talented they can make the most mediocre of experiences a blast?

Enter Poisoft developed title Splash or Crash (Kersploosh! in North America), a game where the player’s job is to guide a stone to the bottom of a well. Sounds easy enough, right? Well (mind the pun), it’s totally not. Along the way you’ll encounter pizza, balloons, donuts, spinning logs and more. Not exactly what you’d expect to come across inside a well, but fun nevertheless. As you can probably guess by now, Splash or Crash isn’t exactly built on cutting edge foundations. It’s based on a simple concept with a few quirky ideas thrown in for good measure, and has an asking price of $3.90. Minus the outstanding quality, it’s the type of game you’d expect to frequently stumble upon on iOS or Android.

Splash or Crash is so concise it only takes a few seconds to set up and appreciate. Select a stone, pick a well (level) and then reach the bottom as quickly as possible. A good run will involve boosting through donuts repeatedly while a bad one will consist of pizza or wooden plank collisions. Adding an extra layer of depth to the game are stats, an unlock system and also a high score ladder. The stats make every stone unique and adjust the game physics accordingly. Each stone comes equipped with a boost, speed and durability (HP) rating, and controls and reacts differently as a result. Whilst the unlock system is mainly short-term appeal, it still adds to the height of difficulty. Last is the scoreboard, and as you can probably guess, it’s responsible for recording the best times. This is arguably the life source of Splash or Crash and is what will keep players coming back for more.

With only a handful of levels and stones to unlock, Splash or Crash is undeniably short. This is why the time trial aspect is so important. Assisting this element is the inclusion of StreetPass. Players can not only compete against their own times, but also swap them while they’re out on the go or with friends. The lack of online leader boards along with SpotPass is slightly disappointing, but can be forgiven for the inclusion of local wireless. Despite these few minor flaws, the entire package is still quite special being rounded off with stunning graphics, some of the best 3D slider effects out there, appropriate sounds, an upbeat tune, and even back stories for each object. These elements all add a sense of polish to Splash or Crash. The back stories are particularly charming. Poisoft has gone to the extent of explaining how the stone and other rounded-objects came to be at the bottom of a well. One story in particular is about a man who gives up his childhood dream of becoming an Olympian shot putter and so he throws what is presumably his iron ball (shot put ball) down a well. It’s extra little things like this that really set Splash or Crash apart from basic Smartphone games and add that Nintendo touch of quality to the title.

Returning to where this review began, I ask the question, what is fun? It seems fun can be almost anything when it comes to contemporary video games. 20 years ago who would have honestly predicted developers would be making games out of such bizarre, or dare I say mediocre concepts? Splash or Crash, turns something that could be seen as either of the above into a fun game. With the addition of stats, unlocks, convincing physics, immersive 3D effects, crisp sound effects, a high score system and StreetPass, Splash or Crash is the ultimate pick up and play title for the 3DS. If you’ve only got a few seconds to spare, or a whole night, this game will satisfy your needs with its simple but addictive formula. At only $3.90 it sets a new standard for eShop titles and will keep you coming back for more – especially if you’re a sucker for time trial.