Echochrome

First announced at E3 2007, Echochrome is a unique puzzle game developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PSP and the PS3. The game was released on May 1, 2008 and has received generally good reviews since its debut. For players, it is only available through the PlayStation Network.

Fast Facts

1. Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
2. Platforms: PSP, PS3
3. Genre: Puzzle
4. Mode: Singleplayer
5. Echochrome and its levels were inspired by the artwork of M. C. Escher.
6. ESRB Rating: Everyone (E)
7. Release date: May 1, 2008

Story

Being a fairly simplistic puzzle game, Echochrome possesses no story. The player simply completes each level in order to progress to the next one.

Gameplay

Despite not having a traditional, linear story, Echochrome shines in the category of gameplay. During the game, the player takes control of a faceless mannequin in a cartoon based, line-art world. The entire game is in black and white, but this only continues the theme of enjoyable simplicity, a concept on which the game thrives. Echochrome's uniqueness is found in it's game world; the physics will change based on how the player rotates the level. The object of the game is to complete all 56 stages (100 in the Japanese version) in 3 different game modes. In each level, the play uses the analog stick to turn the camera view, thus altering the physics and reality of the stage. Each level also has a time limit, and critics have often attacked the game due to having unforgiving time limits on the more difficult levels. The mannequin the player controls never stops moving unless the triangle button is pressed, but this does not stop the clock from ticking away. After completing all of the game's standard levels, a level creator is unlocked, adding extra replay value to Echochrome.

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