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"  Also available on: N/ADeveloper: Zoe ModePublisher: SegaGenre: Puzzle Crush 3D is a Nintendo 3DS remake of the PSP puzzle game of the same name, a well received title made up of 2D and 3D platform-based puzzles. Five years later, Sega has issued a remake which would appear to be the perfect fit for the Nintendo 3DS, especially considering the fact that the console&amp;#039;s main selling point is its ability to add a completely new dimension to the gameplay experience. With this in mind, does Crush 3D have what it takes to flatten the competition, or is it a crushing disappointment? Although largely a like-for-like remake of its PSP predecessor, the developers have made a few changes to the original game&amp;#039;s dark tone. While the 2007 release featured a teenage insomniac exploring the psychological causes of his condition, the 3DS remake features a good humoured young chap named Danny, who has agreed to help his scientist friend (your typical nutty professor type) test out his new C.R.U.S.H computer software. Unfortunately, the machine&amp;#039;s kinks are yet to be ironed out, and our hero Danny finds himself stuck in a computer program representative of his subconscious. The visuals also reflect Crush 3D&amp;#039;s cheerier tone. Moody colours and rain drenched backdrops are replaced with bright blue, clear and sunny skies. Unfortunately, however, Crush 3D&amp;#039;s new art direction fails to shine. The visual style and presentation remain the weak link of an otherwise stellar portable puzzle game. Granted, beneath its bright and breezy exterior there are hints of darker forces at work - cockroach manifestations, repressed memories and all that - but we would have enjoyed a more twisted and visceral portrayal of Danny&amp;#039;s problems. Having said that, we did chuckle at some of the back and forth between the two lead characters, so the changes are not all bad. Fortunately, Crush 3D&amp;#039;s gameplay is largely spot on. The game features a generous collection of clever, confusing and innovative platform puzzles. The aim of each level is to collect enough marbles to unlock the exit, which would be simple if it wasn&amp;#039;t for the fact that each 3D stage features a series of unconnected and seemingly impossible-to-reach platforms. This is where the crushing comes into play, a gameplay mechanic capable of turning sprawling 3D worlds into simple-to-navigate 2D stages.      Take that impossibly high platform above Danny, for example. Out of reach in 3D mode, players can toggle the camera to a top-down view, press the crush button to flatten the stage, and then simply walk across. The same applies to that distant walkway. Simply shift the camera sideways, crush the level and jump on over. Undo the crush when you reach your destination, and you&amp;#039;ll find yourself all the way on the other side of the level, suddenly able to reach previously out of sight marbles and trophies. It&amp;#039;s very clever and often proves extremely satisfying. Of course, even this would be too simple if there were no additional hazards to deal with, and it&amp;#039;s not long before multiple block types, enemies, obstacles, switches, timers and moveable objects are introduced, further ramping up the difficulty. In fact, the game could be accused of poor pacing and placing unrealistic demands on the player. Later levels, in particular, are a lot less fun when you&amp;#039;re unable to approach them at your own pace, resulting in a game that occasionally loses some of that early magic. Thankfully, the developers have introduced a brand new (and not very subtle) hint system, which ensures, at least, that players are able to move on when certain puzzles prove too difficult - which they inevitably will. There&amp;#039;s also a smattering of new levels - though not enough to entice owners of the PSP original - as well as StreetPass functionality, which enables players to exchange gifts and coins - assuming, of course that you&amp;#039;re in the vicinity of another Crush 3D fan. Players will also discover a wide variety of additional dressing gowns, possibly the least exciting unlockable we&amp;#039;ve ever come across. Despite the five-year gap between releases, Crush 3D takes a few steps backwards in terms of visual style and presentation. Other than a rather limited and lacklustre selection of new levels and StreetPass features, it also offers very little in the way of brand new bonus content, making it difficult to recommend to anybody familiar with its PSP counterpart. Despite its shortcomings, however, Crush 3D gets it right where it counts, providing gamers with an enjoyable and entertaining puzzle game, no matter how you look at it.  &amp;amp;gt; What do you think of the game? Share your views "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/review/a361240/crush-3d-review-3ds/>