Metacritic Games

Downstream Panic! (Sony PSP)

The game offers unpredictable, fast-paced, tactical puzzle-action that places players in the position of a sea-creature preservationist out to save the world from a fantastic cyclone that has blasted the world's fish into the Earth's atmosphere. It is up to the player to protect fish from land, predators and other obstacles through the use of a variety of innovative tools as they guide fish on their descent back into the ocean. In Downstream Panic! players save their scaly sea-friends in more than 80 different levels with five different customizable environments. Three different game modes (adventure, free play and survival) bring more of a challenge to the aquatic mix. [Atari]

Atari
Puzzle
Players: 1
E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
Developer: Eko Software
Released February 5, 2008

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

77 / 100

Critic Reviews

86	Cheat Code Central Unlike a lot of puzzle games, Downstream Panic has a decidedly organic feel to it. It feels as though you're playing in a virtual eco system. Rent it for sure.
85	GameZone Originality reigns supreme in this unusual masterpiece. A must-own for puzzle fans everywhere.
85	Game Informer Downstream Panic’s Lemmings-esque gameplay is hard to resist.
83	IGN One hell of an impressive puzzle game. It has a ton of character, and you won't find anything else that makes use of water like this on the system.
83	PSX Extreme Its addictive gameplay will make sure that you play through all 80 missions, and come back for more. Furthermore, it features a solid amount of depth, and its presentation is quite easy on the eyes.
80	GameDaily With over 80 levels and a few extra modes to play with, this game should keep you glued to your PSP for some time.
80	Games Radar Thin slights against an otherwise engaging puzzler; one we hope doesn't fade from memory due to a light retail presence and serious lack of buzz.
78	Worth Playing However, Downstream Panic! is a solid effort, and for all my gripes about it being shallow, it does its job in keeping you occupied.
75	Gaming Nexus It may look and feel like Lemmings, but Atari's newest puzzler has a number of tricks up its sleeve.
75	GameSpot Saving cute little fish in Downstream Panic! is a fun though, occasionally, frustrating endeavor.
75	GamePro New tools and enemies are introduced throughout the adventure mode's more than 80 levels, which helps keep things interesting. [Apr 2008, p.84]
70	1UP The visuals are charming, the sound is muteable, and figuring out how to efficiently use your controlled arsenal is great, but for a game that's all about logically thinking out plans, we could have done without the unpredictability.
70	Video Game Talk A fun and addictive experience. It is challenging with a lot to offer and pretty good replay value. With eighty stages out of the box, that's a lot of gaming.
50	Playstation: The Official Magazine (US) In expected fashion the puzzles become increasingly difficult, demanding careful timing and sound logical thinking--navigating the fish through most of the stages is thoroughly enjoyable. [Apr 2008, p.73]

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