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Nick already got some short hands-on time with upcoming PSN game Echochrome at last year’s TGS, but the English build -- which was available to play at Sony’s fancy press room in the swank W Hotel -- offered a few new levels to try out. Since I love any and all games that offer something new, I was quick to pick up the sad, lonely PS3 controller on one of Sony’s white leather couches (I told you it was fancy!) and test it out for myself.
As you can see in the above tutorial video, the game offers five ways to solve the game’s Escher-esque puzzles: perspective traveling, perspective landing, perspective existence, perspective absence, and perspective jump. Each technique involves rotating the level around a constantly moving character to “catch” some strange, shadowy creatures called “echoes.”
Despite the game’s obviously minimalist graphical style, Echochrome looks and sounds beautiful. In all honesty, I would take a hundred of games that look like this over one generically rendered FPS or Grand Theft Auto clone. Like Okami before it, this art inspired style is a refreshing change of pace (to say the least).
Hit the jump for another video of the first handful of levels I got to play and some more of my hands-on impressions.
I was a little shocked at first that you don’t actual control your character in the game. Instead, you rotate the stage in all directions while your little marionette aimlessly walks forward (think of classic game Lemmings to get an idea of what I mean).
Since the stage rotates rather slowly, this could have been an almost crippling game mechanic, but all is remedied with a quick press of the triangle button, which makes your character stop in place while you continue to move the stage. This takes some of the pressure off and lets you think a little bit more on how to solve the game’s progressively more challenging levels.
The level design in Echochrome is next to revolutionary. Right when you think there is absolutely no way to reach a certain ledge, you rotate the stage and discover an ingenious route to the goal. Need to find a way to clear that annoying gap? Just move a piece of the stage in front of it so you can’t see it anymore. Voila, your character can now pass over it! The way the game uses the actual player’s perspective to progress is incredible and works extremely well.
Although I only got to play a few stages of the game, I already love what I see. Like I said before, the graphics are gorgeous and the music that plays during the game is the perfect level of orchestration: defined, yet restrained.
I am not even going to think twice about downloading this original, clever puzzler when it is available on the PlayStation Network sometime this year. Hopefully people will read this and -- after knocking everything off their desks in excitement -- be inspired to support this little gem when it is released. Sadly, I feel Echochrome will be one of those games with amazing critical acclaim, but no sales whatsoever. Prove me wrong, people! Get those wallets out and unite! It is going to take some pretty strong financial support to inspire more designers to take these kinds of (amazing!) risks.
As has been the case since the game was first shown, you can play it on your Windows PC and build your own version of the game by getting the demo at this site:
This game looks cool and refreshingly different, around the 1:20 mark on the 2nd video I totally thought he was getting a running leap going to cover that gap..lol
Seriously, what a coincidence. I was just looking at my M. C. Escher book over lunch. For some reason that I can't explain, this game suits the PS3. It has elegance and simplicity written all over it. The fact that it makes you think in different dimensions and perspectives is brilliant.
But why does it take Sony so long to support their consoles? If this, Loco Roco, and Patapon had come out in the first two years of the PSP's life span, maybe people would have actually, y'know, bought it.
I didn’t know what this game was all about until I read this post, and now I can say that it looks AMAZING! I am totally getting this as soon as it comes out...I just hope that the price is in accordance with the game’s length (and either way, $17 seems a bit much, BS3 Owner). I figure that this’ll be priced along with the other original titles on the PSN (like PAIN and Everyday Shooter) at $10. But either way...DO WANT!!
Just thinking about coordinates in space as dynamic and changing is in itself mind-boggling. Damn. I still don't know if this will persuade me to get a PS3, though. That's still one hell of a concept for a game. I <3 this idea.
But that music has to go. Yeah, it's understated, but it's also dissonant and irritating. Can't there be something more calming than 8th grade viola practice?
Any word on a US release date? I can't imagine much localization is required so I'm hoping it won't take months (or even weeks) to show up over here. It's the kind of the thing that Sony will sit on for months though, not knowing what the hell to do with it.
I'm gonna have to buy a Pstriples just to play this.
OR I could download the original tech demo by that japanese guy, and make my own levels and puzzles, fae superior to anything those noobs at sony could slam together. Hah! Hah!
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As has been the case since the game was first shown, you can play it on your Windows PC and build your own version of the game by getting the demo at this site:
http://tserve01.aid.design.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~fujiki/ole_coordinate_system/index.html#download
Man...that looks intense.
I'm in.
This game looks cool and refreshingly different, around the 1:20 mark on the 2nd video I totally thought he was getting a running leap going to cover that gap..lol
Oh NEAT! :O
Seriously, what a coincidence. I was just looking at my M. C. Escher book over lunch. For some reason that I can't explain, this game suits the PS3. It has elegance and simplicity written all over it. The fact that it makes you think in different dimensions and perspectives is brilliant.
HIGH FIVE CHAD!
You're amazing.
Awesome!
But why does it take Sony so long to support their consoles? If this, Loco Roco, and Patapon had come out in the first two years of the PSP's life span, maybe people would have actually, y'know, bought it.
Same goes fo the current Sony PS3 library.
Buying, possibly buying for PSP.
Best. Music. Evar.
I heard a price of $17.?? & Release of March 19th.
BTW : Do Want!
I've been looking forward for this game on my PS3 & PSP since I first saw it. Can't wait. NEED NOW.
Reminds me of Portal.
Those videos blew my mind. Let's hope this game can keep up the originality through it's entirety. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this one.
Hopefully they price it reasonably. If not, I could wait until Christmas for some of their PSN specials.
I didn’t know what this game was all about until I read this post, and now I can say that it looks AMAZING! I am totally getting this as soon as it comes out...I just hope that the price is in accordance with the game’s length (and either way, $17 seems a bit much, BS3 Owner). I figure that this’ll be priced along with the other original titles on the PSN (like PAIN and Everyday Shooter) at $10. But either way...DO WANT!!
Just thinking about coordinates in space as dynamic and changing is in itself mind-boggling. Damn. I still don't know if this will persuade me to get a PS3, though. That's still one hell of a concept for a game. I <3 this idea.
But that music has to go. Yeah, it's understated, but it's also dissonant and irritating. Can't there be something more calming than 8th grade viola practice?
Whenever this comes out, I will be poor.
Whoa. This looks pretty badass.
You're a bastard for getting to play this. I love you.
Any word on a US release date? I can't imagine much localization is required so I'm hoping it won't take months (or even weeks) to show up over here. It's the kind of the thing that Sony will sit on for months though, not knowing what the hell to do with it.
I agree with Mr. Holmes.
Alright. Now I want a PS3.
It has portals? hmm. I dunno. I'm confused. It's an optical illusion game for casual gamers?
I played a demo of this game a few months ago on the PC. I'd love to play a fuller version on the 360 (since I don't have a PS3).
Since it´s first release i am interested on this game.
Good thing i am getting a BS3 next month.
I dig the music! The game looks good too.
Has anyone else noticed a sudden renaissance in vertigo-perspective-mind-bending games? Galaxy, Portal, this, Fez... the list goes on. I'm liking it!
Yes, do want. I like the music too. It fits. Different from what most games offer. On most games I turn the music off, if I can.
{url=http://www.n4g.com/News-109520.aspx/]Here's where I got $17 Dolla for the PS3 Version[/url]
^ FAIL!
PS3 Price Point
This game looks spectacular. I really want it... first I need a ps3 though... which doesn't seem too likely.
I'm gonna have to buy a Pstriples just to play this.
OR I could download the original tech demo by that japanese guy, and make my own levels and puzzles, fae superior to anything those noobs at sony could slam together. Hah! Hah!
But seriously. Anyone wanna by a kidney?
Oh No!
this game looks great... anyone wanna give me a ps triple?
I don't really get this game.