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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Crush
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 41 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 12 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Zoë Mode
Genre(s): Puzzle
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
Release Date: May 29, 2007
Summary
Unique to its genre, Crush introduces a valuable new puzzle gaming experience that is wholly suited to the PSP system. Set within a complex, hypnotic 3D world, players use the game's unique crush mechanic to "crush" the environment and transform it into a more simplified 2D platformer. Once flattened, players utilize the 2D space to move to new areas to solve otherwise impossible challenges, and unlock secret items that were previously unobtainable in the 3D environment. Players then "uncrush" the 2D environment and return to the 3D world. Designed for a wide and varied audience, Crush tells the story of Dan, a man with a lifetime of unresolved issues and bottled up emotions that has turned him into a nervous insomniac who is too tired to turn his life around. Desperate for a cure, he turns to hypnosis. It is during this state that he is given one last chance to sort through the wreckage of his past, before he loses the last thing he has – his sanity. [Sega]
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Modojo
Certainly a real gem for puzzle fanatics, and anyone looking for something really new and really unique for their PSP has gotten themselves a real head turner.
Read Full Review >1UP
A cognitively rewarding, expertly designed puzzle experience that truly plays like nothing else.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
Crush satisfies the innate gamer need to express the world in easy-to-manipulate numbers and objects.
Read Full Review >GameZone
A very engaging and original puzzler, Crush presents unique gameplay and stages that grow increasingly more complex, but never too difficult. While the controls could be a bit tighter and there could be more environments, it’s still a fun experience from start to finish.
Read Full Review >Gaming Nexus
It's hard to find too many faults with a game like Crush; the concept is original and the whole game is expertly done.
Read Full Review >TotalPlayStation
Easily one of the best puzzle games ever made. Yes, it's really that good. If you own a PSP, you need this game.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
With levels that build on each other in terms of complexity (and, thusly, difficulty), the game inspires that kind of "just one more level" feeling of addiction that may result in you freeing Dan from his insomnia but earning yourself a nasty case in return.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
Crush delivers in every sense of the word: originality, playability, and visuals--it's easily among the prettiest puzzle games I've ever seen--and will keep your PSP off the charger for many a sleepless night. [June 2007, p.82]
PSM3 Magazine UK
Overall Intelligent, inventive... Crush's main drawback is its steep learning curve. But that's what brains are for, right?
Read Full Review >GameDaily
The game's presentation couldn't be better and the story provides some extra weight along with doses of humor.
Read Full Review >IGN
You know you've found a great puzzler when even the earliest levels in the game leave you feeling completely rewarded. Crush accomplishes this feat thanks to its 40 superbly-designed mazes, fantastic art style, and terrific original concept.
Read Full Review >GameTrailers
The best compl[i]ment possible to give a puzzle game is that the real reward is the playing itself. You don’t need fancy stories, or whiz-bang effects when you’ve got solid, addictive gameplay. And CRUSH has this in spades--not to mention the presentation is quite nice as well.
Read Full Review >Games Master UK
A hard-thinking puzzler needing a hard-thinking brain - but it's justifiably rewarding. [July 2007, p.71]
Worth Playing
I found Crush to be an innovative twist on the platform/puzzle genre. The game is suitable for all ages and includes a hint feature which you can enable or disable in the options menu. My only complaint with the game is that it feels a bit short with only 40 levels.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
It's a steep, steep difficulty curve...but extremely rewarding once you conquer it. [Aug 2007, p.84]
Game Chronicles
Puzzle games have always been on the boring side to me. Most puzzle games follow a certain standard. Crush starts its own standard, and I have a hunch that many games will try and replicate it.
Read Full Review >Digital Entertainment News
Don’t be fooled by comparisons to Super Paper Mario – Crush is its own unique animal, and a puzzle game through-and-through. However, if that’s what you’re looking for, Crush delivers with a fresh concept, a solid presentation and some truly enjoyable dimension-twisting puzzles.
Read Full Review >GamePro
Crush does a great job of turning buzzwords into true and terrific gameplay.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Crush is a one-of-a-kind action puzzle game, and its unique concept makes for a refreshing and bizarre experience.
Read Full Review >Deeko
My PSP has never looked (or felt) this good. Do yourself a favor and play this.
Read Full Review >PSM Magazine
Our only real complaint is that 40-odd levels weren't enough to satisfy us, but the fact that Crush left us wanting more speaks volumes about its quality. [Sept 2007, p.79]
Gamer 2.0
There’s a lot of content here to keep you busy for a long time while you strive for the perfect grades.
Read Full Review >Game Almighty
Ultimately, Crush stands tall as a successful experiment in game design, offering up a shiny new puzzle concept that could very well set a new standard for future clones.
Read Full Review >The New York Times
Puzzles are fiendishly intricate, and it is a thrill when you finish a circuitous, mind-bending route to the exit.
Read Full Review >Play UK
A puzzle game that we actually like, and that's rare. [Issue#154, p.86]
VideoGamer
A huge amount of CRUSH is brilliantly playable and consistently enjoyable. It is bursting with character by puzzle game standards and, even considering its shortcomings, is still a PSP release well worth picking up if you are looking for something fresh and stimulating.
Read Full Review >GameCritics
And the final word must go to that pesky puzzle hook that just won't let your stubborn brain accept defeat.
Read Full Review >PALGN
Crush is easily one of the PSP's best games, thanks largely to a fresh premise and highly addictive, brain-teasing gameplay.
Read Full Review >Playstation Official Magazine UK
The most original idea on the PSP since "Locoroco." [July 2007, p.115]
Eurogamer
There's a genuine sense of achievement and enjoyment when a seemingly impossible level suddenly clicks (or crushes) into place, and the confident way the game uses its central conceit as more than just a gimmick is undeniably reassuring and appealing.
Read Full Review >Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Don't let the presentation scare you. If ever there was a classic game that screams cult classic puzzler, it's this one. [June 2007, p.94]
Pocket Gamer UK
Genuinely innovative puzzler that will change the way you think about the genre.
Read Full Review >NTSC-uk
The control method and lazy design of the later levels threaten to dampen the early enjoyment, but Crush must be praised for trying to innovate, and is thus a worthy purchase for any PSP owner in search of their next puzzle fix.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
Save some rare problems with Danny’s jumps and the viewing of very complex levels do crop up, but they’re few and far between, and they hardly mar the impressive, challenging and marvelously-presented experience.
Read Full Review >Total Video Games
A highly imaginative experience that walks the fine line between compulsion and frustration that any good puzzler should provide. Further refinement on the concept and level design to reduce the emphasis on trial-and-error gameplay would have resulted in a more appealing experience.
Read Full Review >Thunderbolt
Dr. Reuben’s inaugural experiment is no failure, and just like with all well performed experiments, Crush delivers a satisfactory result and serves to enlighten us on what the bright future holds.
Read Full Review >Edge Magazine
The game is full of charm, from the easily-distinguishable block types and hero in dressing gown, to the sequences that detail the game’s story and a delicate hint mode. [July 2007, p.93]
games(TM)
Focused in its style, single minded in its vision and executed with superb finesse, it’s a fantastic example of what can be achieved on PSP with imagination and skill. [July 2007, p.111]
AceGamez
For a game that splits between two different dimensions, Crush ends up feeling a little one-dimensional. However, the concept is undeniably ingenious and it is my sincere hope that a sequel will emerge to take it to the next level and produce a true gaming classic.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
This, then, is a game to experience. It’s a game to point to, and champion, as an innovator in what it presents to players. It’s one of the most novel games ever made. In bite-sized portions, it really should be played.
Read Full Review >Gamestyle
There's replayability in Crush in the way of time trials and perfecting scores, but it relies on you wanting to play it in the first place.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Anonym Ous gave it a10:
Best puzzle game ever played! And god knows i have played ALOT of game in my life but this one is just fantastic! Enough said!
[Anonymous] gave it a9:
Easily the best PSP game I've played in a long time. Very challenging, and most importantly, fun. Aimed precisely at the handheld crowd (not a dumbed down port), with levels that are (amazingly) exactly as long as your interest in finishing them. Well done, must buy.
Pete S. gave it a10:
Inventive, mind-bending topography make you wonder how the designers worked out the level design! Really nicely put together - just difficult enough to make the moment when you solve a puzzle give you a warm, fuzzy feeling.
