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Echochrome
Home : Games : Reviews : PlayStation 3 : Echochrome
The premise of echochrome is a bit farfetched: you must guide a miniature mannequin along narrow, disjointed platforms to collect several of its displaced, shadowy echoes under an unspecified time constraint. You must rotate the playing field to force perspective changes that exploit the game’s twists on logic, where what you see becomes temporary reality.
If you obscure a gap with a solid platform piece in the foreground, the break ceases to exist and the mannequin can walk freely between two previously unconnected walkways. Should your mannequin fall, it can be coerced to land on any platform that is rotated below it. The same goes for jumping platforms: you can launch to great heights by faking the playing field into the right view. Your mannequin cannot change direction except by reaching a dead end, though you can stop it in its tracks while you ponder your next move.
One thing echochrome nails is style. Its three-dimensional playgrounds recall the implausible creations of M.C. Escher, where up is sometimes down and nothing is quite as it seems. Platforms and characters have a simple, hand-drawn quality to them; your mannequin resembles a wooden figure used in sketch classes, and the environments are devoid of color. Music and sound are similarly sparse, with haunting classical string compositions and lonely footsteps. It all works surprisingly well to lull you into a false state of relaxation, for when you ponder a puzzle too long you’ll be reminded by a faint tinkling bell that time is running out.
A variety of clever puzzles will tax your problem-solving abilities. You can do them in any order you want and repeat them to beat your best times in the game’s Atelier mode. If you get bored with the more than 50 included levels, you can automatically download the most recent batch of user-created content. The included design tool allows users to create their own maddening levels and share them with friends. The best are hand selected by Sony for wider distribution, and you can play them at random through the game’s Freeform mode.
With so many positive things to say about echochrome, it makes its share of missteps. The game works very hard to immerse you in its fantastical creations, only to anchor you to some pointless unseen time limit. The snap feature, which automatically aligns nearby platforms to solve puzzles, feels a bit imprecise. You’ll wonder why some line up and others don’t, making the rules feel a bit inconsistent. Rotating the playing field is sluggish, which is especially frustrating on tougher levels when time is a precious commodity.
Despite having a short list of problems, echochrome is a solid and unique puzzle game that should be tried by every PS3 owner. A free demo is available for download via the PlayStation store, so if you’re entranced by its art style or intrigued by its gameplay you should definitely give it a shot. At a modest price point of 10 bucks, it’s hard not to recommend to just about anyone who enjoys a good brain teaser.
Highs
Wonderful art style; haunting musical score; its original design and execution is a nice break from the usual downloadable fare; level creation tools and downloadable maps increase the game’s value.
Lows
Time limit should be optional; controls feel sluggish; snap feature seems to have a mind of its own; might be difficult for folks with limited spatial perception.
Final Verdict
If you own a PS3, you should try echochrome on for size. Its artsy nature may not appeal to everyone, but there’s no denying its many charms. For a paltry 10 bucks, it’s a good value and an original experience.
75%
May 27, 2008
Review by Bobby Stein.
Send this review to a friend.
Home : Games : Reviews : PlayStation 3 : Echochrome
Unique, artistic, and mind-bending, echochrome is a worthy addition to the PS3.
To jump to the PSP Echchrome review, click here.
It’s hard not to get the feeling that original ideas are a rare commodity, especially when it comes to downloadable games. You can’t shop Xbox Live Marketplace or the PlayStation store without stumbling over a dozen Geometry Wars and Bejewelled knockoffs. In light of the current slate of bite-sized entertainment choices, it’s refreshing to see a game like echochrome in the mix. While it won’t likely hold your interest for more than a few hours (and might cause repeated frustration), its creative approach to puzzle solving is enough to warrant a purchase.
echochrome's minimalist art style will remind you of college sketching class.
The premise of echochrome is a bit farfetched: you must guide a miniature mannequin along narrow, disjointed platforms to collect several of its displaced, shadowy echoes under an unspecified time constraint. You must rotate the playing field to force perspective changes that exploit the game’s twists on logic, where what you see becomes temporary reality.
If you obscure a gap with a solid platform piece in the foreground, the break ceases to exist and the mannequin can walk freely between two previously unconnected walkways. Should your mannequin fall, it can be coerced to land on any platform that is rotated below it. The same goes for jumping platforms: you can launch to great heights by faking the playing field into the right view. Your mannequin cannot change direction except by reaching a dead end, though you can stop it in its tracks while you ponder your next move.
One thing echochrome nails is style. Its three-dimensional playgrounds recall the implausible creations of M.C. Escher, where up is sometimes down and nothing is quite as it seems. Platforms and characters have a simple, hand-drawn quality to them; your mannequin resembles a wooden figure used in sketch classes, and the environments are devoid of color. Music and sound are similarly sparse, with haunting classical string compositions and lonely footsteps. It all works surprisingly well to lull you into a false state of relaxation, for when you ponder a puzzle too long you’ll be reminded by a faint tinkling bell that time is running out.
Exercise your creative muscle with the included level editor.
A variety of clever puzzles will tax your problem-solving abilities. You can do them in any order you want and repeat them to beat your best times in the game’s Atelier mode. If you get bored with the more than 50 included levels, you can automatically download the most recent batch of user-created content. The included design tool allows users to create their own maddening levels and share them with friends. The best are hand selected by Sony for wider distribution, and you can play them at random through the game’s Freeform mode.
With so many positive things to say about echochrome, it makes its share of missteps. The game works very hard to immerse you in its fantastical creations, only to anchor you to some pointless unseen time limit. The snap feature, which automatically aligns nearby platforms to solve puzzles, feels a bit imprecise. You’ll wonder why some line up and others don’t, making the rules feel a bit inconsistent. Rotating the playing field is sluggish, which is especially frustrating on tougher levels when time is a precious commodity.
Manipulate your view to bend the rules of plausibility.
Despite having a short list of problems, echochrome is a solid and unique puzzle game that should be tried by every PS3 owner. A free demo is available for download via the PlayStation store, so if you’re entranced by its art style or intrigued by its gameplay you should definitely give it a shot. At a modest price point of 10 bucks, it’s hard not to recommend to just about anyone who enjoys a good brain teaser.
Highs
Wonderful art style; haunting musical score; its original design and execution is a nice break from the usual downloadable fare; level creation tools and downloadable maps increase the game’s value.
Lows
Time limit should be optional; controls feel sluggish; snap feature seems to have a mind of its own; might be difficult for folks with limited spatial perception.
Final Verdict
If you own a PS3, you should try echochrome on for size. Its artsy nature may not appeal to everyone, but there’s no denying its many charms. For a paltry 10 bucks, it’s a good value and an original experience.
75%
May 27, 2008
Review by Bobby Stein.
Send this review to a friend.
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