Echochrome: Review (PS3)

echochrome is a puzzle video game released on Playstation 3 and developed by JapanStudio. I call this a puzzle game but there's many unique elements in it, so that title isn't very fair. Not much else to say other than that, so let's go right into the review.

Story : There's no story as this is a puzzle game.

Graphics : The game provides an extremely unique atmosphere. Some may complain about the lack of color, but I love the presentation of this game. You have never played a game that looks quite like this one, that much I can promise you.

Sound : The music in this game is excellent. Perhaps some of the best music I've heard in any game, honestly. The music is ambient but is also very listen able should you choose to focus on it. The arrangements are very classical, so if you have a taste for really fine music this game delivers it in spades. There really isn't anything to disappoint you here. Sound effects are all appropriate, and the small bit of voice acting is very good. A great game, sound wise.

Game play : This game has amazing game play. I'll say that right off the bat. You move little figures through a three dimension space, changing the camera as you go along and hitting shadows on the way. If that sounds confusing to you, it kind of is but in a good way. The game play is really unique, and there's no other game out there quite like this one. It's taken elements from ton of other games but really created an entirely new game out of them. The complexity of this game can be mind boggling, but once again, it's in a good way. Honestly, It's very hard to explain this game but the good thing is it comes with possibly the best tutorial I've ever seen in a game. I basically got the hang of this game just from playing the tutorial alone. It was very simple, but it also hinted at the complexity that would later come. There are many modes of play in this game, and all are very interesting. The game play is addicting, fun, and easy to learn. The difficulty of the game largely depends your basic problem solving capability and your experience. With enough repetition however, you will get very good at this game. I promise.

Re playability : There's a few things to cover here. First, there's not that many levels in the game and when you get used to it you can blow through this game quite fast. Some are absurdly easy while others will have you really using those brain cells. Then we come to the level editor. Yes, this game has a level creator and editor that skyrockets it's re playability. All in all, if you learn to love this game the creator editor function will be the gift that keeps on giving.

Overall : 10/10. Highly recommended game. No other game like it.