(continued from previous page) ...switches in pursuit of orbs and exit. Even hardcore puzzle gamers may find these objects difficult to deal with occasionally, as items can often be moved in such a way as to become useless or inaccessible. Items will often respawn at their start point after they disappear if the player crushes and releases the world. While this may solve some problems, it does take time and can be aggravating on particularly difficult levels.

In addition to the orbs, trophies, bugs, and balls, the player will occasionally encounter other stencils on the walls of levels. Piecing these together with a quick crush will unlock the power-up and allow players to take advantage of its added benefits. In one early level, an impossible jump is required due to block layout coupled with pits. A few quick changes of perspective and an unlocked power-up later, Danny can be found soaring of the impeding blocks with the aid of the super-jump power-up. This is just one rather simple example, and power-up usage becomes more and more pivotal as the game progresses.

Sounds like a lot, eh? Many somewhat unrelated mechanics, “crushed” into one game. Well, developer SEGA manages to combine all these elements into a better than the average puzzle game (if such a thing exists!). The game does offer replay value, as there are many ways each level can be solved, some of which take less time than others. Crush’s record keeping system will have perfectionists playing each level over and over again in an attempt to secure the best time possible. Trophy mode, which can be accessed from the main menu, challenges players to complete levels in the shortest time possible while gathering all the orbs in a level.

Emerging from the dark corridors of Danny’s mind to deliver a conclusion, I have mixed thoughts on Crush. While the game play is definitely innovative, with an average story line and comedic voice acting, this title will not offer much to the action-oriented sector of PSP gamers. Puzzle solving fiends will definitely enjoy this game, and will even find replay ability as they challenge their best times and grades. Crush is definitely worth a play if you are curious, but if you feel the interface and game play would be too much for you, you are probably right. I struggled with the interface, due in large part to a decided lack of spatial interaction and visualization skills. Gamers with similar situations may find that they begin using my patented method of guessing and checking as perspective is constantly changed, and the world crushed and uncrushed.

With this in mind, I deliver my judgement as above.