Format: PSN Mini Game
Genre: Puzzle
Picture the scene. You have a spare half an hour before you go to work/school/your mother-in-law’s and you are bored. There’s nothing on TV, you’re lacking the concentration for that new book you’ve been meaning to start or you just want a simple distraction.
I found myself in this predicament the other night waiting for Celebrity Big Brother 2010 to start (I know, I know but it’s like crack). I came across an article that directed me to a mini game that promised high-class puzzling fun. Aha, perfect!
A quick trip to the Playstation store and a fairly short download later, I came face to face, (well, screen) with the wonder that is Critter Crunch. Imagine a big, fluffy sack filled with kittens and puppies, then sprinkle some Japanimation style characters, a few kilos of seriously addictive gameplay, a great little armless victory dance and you’ll start to have a idea of what he game is all about.
Don’t be alarmed at the baby animal analogy I just needed to convey how the game warmed my occasionally jaded heart to the point that I almost puked. But in a good way.
You take on the role of Biggs, a doting father who simply wants to provide for his family who are waiting on the other side of the island (useful family no?). You’re mission, should you choose to accept it is to eat. Yep, that’s it, eat. Despite a distinct lack of arms, our wonderful little Biggs manages exceptionally well to gobble his way through row after row of Critters.
The basic premise of the game is the circle of life and the role each Critter plays in the food chain. You eat a small one then spit it back up for a medium one to digest. You then snarf the sated medium, stuffed cheeks and all and launch him at the eagerly awaiting large Critter. With me so far? Good.
Like any good puzzle game should do, Critter Crunch rewards you for “food chains” and combos and you can use the food power ups to deal some extra damage if you get a bit stuck. As you start the game, you’re taken through some tutorial levels (all of which you can skip through) and you are introduced to basics of the game, giving you the chance to really get to grips with the game.
As more and more features are introduced, you are equally guided through the function of each and you never feel completely overwhelmed.
The only thing that irks me about the game is that you use the D-pad to control Biggs rather than the analog stick but that is literally the only thing and it’s a small price to pay.
All in all, a delightful game that is well worth every penny of it’s £4.49 price tag.
But wait, I nearly forgot the best bit of all. You get to barf rainbows! Yes, it’s incredibly infantile. Do I care? Nope.
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