Once again, our Japanese brethren were treated to something unique and different with their weekly PlayStation Store update. This week, Echochrome demos, for both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable, were released. After brief downloads for each (37 MB and 3.7 MB respectively), I was finding the way, making things truths and found myself enjoying the game quite a bit.
Echochrome’s premise revolves around the concept of perspective and the notion of “what you see becomes truth” which is likely inspired by the works of Oscar Reutersvard and/or M.C. Escher. The object of the game is to guide a mannequin to designated points on stage. To do this, you have to use the five techniques available and manipulate the perspective of the stage to your advantage. By hiding pot holes from view or temporarily fusing one path to another through the convenient manipulation of the camera, the mannequin will then be able to traverse across an otherwise impassable area. It’s rather tough to envision which is why you should just check out the original E3 2007 trailer.
Enough with what the game is about; let’s talk about how the game plays. Echochrome is extremely simplistic with all its graphical assets comprised of nothing, but black lines on a white background. Some may be turned off by its sterile presentation, but I think it works rather well seeing how this kind of gameplay really has no need for realism or visual stimuli. The PSN version is rendered at 1080p with crisp clean lines. I wish the same could be said about the PSP version, but I cannot and I have no idea why it wouldn’t be. It’s just lines on a white background. There should be no excuse unless the PSP cannot pull off anti-aliasing.
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