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PixelJunk Eden
PlayStation Network
This Eden is No Paradise
2.5/5 stars
It's the monthly-ish multiplayer review, and this time it's a PSN game - one of the earlier games in the PixelJunk cannon - I had played it briefly before, but this time we tackled the whole thing. While the game has its moments, it certainly wears out its welcome fast and though it tries to throw some twists at you, they end up more annoying than interesting and in the end this game is only good in very small doses.
Presentation: The game is basically a highly-stylized 2D platformer. The animation style is nice - it mixes color, shapes and background in interesting ways. There are just 10 levels, but they manage to create unique worlds - though not all of the combinations work (I'm looking at you level 8). The game also features ten levels filled with techno music. Now, if you're a fan, then the game is probably going to be much more interesting (certain mind-altering chemicals may also help - this was not tested). I'm not so much a techno fan, so the music was not a high point in the game for me. Still, visually and aurally, the game has enough variety in this department to at least make things interesting and certainly atmospheric.
Story: I have no idea - you're a little spec of a thing called a "grimp" and you're apparently trying to collect the "Spectra" hiding out in the various gardens (levels) in the game. Why? I'm not sure - maybe the Spectra taste really good, maybe collecting them all gets you into grimp heaven or a free walk-on role in PixelJunk: The Movie . Well, you know what they say, grimpin' ain't easy.
Gameplay: Jumping, swinging, collecting "pollen" to open up and grow new sections of the level, avoid the few enemies that might pop up and collect the all-powerful Spectra: rinse and repeat for ten levels. Each level has five Spectra - of course, you can't collect them all at once. You collect ine Spectra, then two, three, four and finally all five. That means although there are just 10 levels, if you want all the Spectra, you're going to play 50 times (at minimum). Some levels you can get through easily in minutes - others can take upwards of half-an-hour. Exploration is key - though the game gives you visual clues as to where each Spetra is located, you still have to wing it sometimes (level 8, I'm still looking at you).
As the game goes on, they try to throw out things to trip you up: enemies that can throw you, cut your string, even change gravity or suck you in to a black hole. A few levels have wind that blow you one direction or another and towards the end even the pollen spores will become enemies - cutting your string (and most likely ending in falling to your death) if you don't hit them just right.
Speaking of death - you never truly die - if you're off screen for a few seconds, you respawn by another player. This can get annoying - especially when the camera decides to follow the wrong player, sometime resulting in extensive back-tracking. Levels are timed as well - and I think this speeds up towards the latter levels as well. You can collect extensions throughout each level, so this is rarely a problem. In the event you run out of time you can still continue a level - the only thing you have to do is refill any pollen since you A) started the level or B) collected the last Spectra. Unless you're half-assing around, it probably will never be a problem.
The main downfall of this game is the repetition. Despite the colors, sounds and attempt at throwing a few different challenges at you - each level is essentially the same thing. Jump, swing, collect. That's what the game boils down to. In short bursts, I can imagine this being fun, but playing straight through is kind of tedious.
Overall: A kind of psychedelic experience can't save this game from being a big boring. In small bursts it is probably palatable - but playing straight through becomes an effort in staying awake. I'm just glad I wasn't the one who dropped $15 on this - not to mention the Encore levels (which who knows if we'll ever return to). All in all, I wasn't that impressed with this entry in the PixelJunk series.
Presentation: 3.5/5
Story: 1/5
Gameplay: 3/5
Overall (not an average): 2.5/5
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