Help insomniac Danny “re-frame” the problems that are keeping him from sleep in the very original puzzler game Crush.
Crush
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PSP
Rating: E – Everybody 10+
Game type: Puzzle
**** (out of 5)
What’s the premise?
Danny is an insomniac who volunteers for an experimental new therapy that hooks his mind up with a computer called C.R.U.S.H. The computer helps Danny re-frame the problems that are keeping him from sleeping as a series of puzzles that require you to “crush” from 3D to 2D to solve.
This game is most similar to…?
Crush is beyond comparison.
Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
Sure, but it’ll be a tad tough for younger ones.
One player or more?
It’s just you, Danny and C.R.U.S.H.
What’s missing?
About 20 hours of free time to play this compelling puzzler.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Change your view. You’ll often need to look at things from a few different angles and crush and un-crush a few times before the puzzles make sense. And if you mess up, don’t panic, all you’ll do is wake up.
And in the end?
Crush is one of the most refreshing and original puzzlers in years.
Ratatouille
Publisher: THQ
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, PC, PSP, Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advance
Reviewed on: Wii
Rating: E – Everyone
Game type: Action
*** ½ (out of 5)
What’s the premise?
Remy is fed up with his life as a poison sniffer in a rat colony and scurries off with dreams of concocting delicious dishes in a famous French restaurant in an adventure based on Disney/Pixar’s new film, Ratatouille.
This game is most similar to…?
This is pretty standard platforming action.
Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
My four-year-old son loves it (with a little bit of help in the tougher bits).
One player or more?
It’s all you, rat-face.
What’s missing?
Well the PlayStation 3 version isn’t coming out until fall — bummer for those guys.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Don’t be afraid to poke around. There are plenty of neat treats hiding throughout the six massive levels that Remy must go through, so don’t feel you have to stay on the path all the time.
And in the end?
Ratatouille isn’t necessarily groundbreaking stuff, but it’s still quite enjoyable — especially for younger gamers.
