Steal Princess Review for Nintendo DS

System: DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Climax Entertainment	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Atlus	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: May 19, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

If you need a reprieve from the linear game (as I often did out of sheer frustration), there is also a relatively deep level editor. This tool allows you to take puzzle room templates and add your own monsters, weapons, and items. You can make each level as easy or hard as you want, and once you are finished, you can share it with friends over the Nintendo WFC. The only drawback to this, however, is that you will need a friend code in order to share it with someone specific, as there is no open sharing in Steal Princess. This is another missed opportunity for the game, and I would have really appreciated the ability to browse through other peoples’ levels.

Steal Princess screenshot

Visually, this game is not as impressive as it could have been. Though the levels are very small, they don’t include much detail, and aside from the different platform variations and obstacles, there really isn’t much detail in the various landscapes. Your character’s model onscreen is also very bland-looking, and the different action animations look blocky and undefined.

As far as the audio is concerned, there are also some issues that hamper this title. Though the level music is inoffensive and varies through each zone, there is no voiceover during plot scenes, and the in-game sounds are all in Japanese. Although hearing the main character say “Yay!” and “Too Bad” many times in English is not absolutely necessary, the option might have been nice, as the Japanese dialogue (which is never subtitled) may alienate some players.

Steal Princess is a fun game that will certainly appeal to hardcore platforming fans. Although each level is short, its punishing difficulty makes this a game you will frequently pick up, and then put back down again. Though its more technical aspects hamper its overall value, if you really want a challenge, Steal Princess is worth a look. Just make sure you are ready to rise to the challenge, because this Princess is one tough cookie!

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.3

Graphics
Graphics lack detail and are very blocky. Levels are very blandly designed.

3.8

Control
The game emphasizes stylus control, which is strange because the stylus controls lack the precision needed for many of the puzzles. Button control works just fine, though.

3.6

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Level music is generic but inoffensive. Lack of a voiceover, however, is mildly annoying.

4.0

Play Value
Sure, the levels may be insanely hard and somewhat repetitive, but it seems there’s always something bringing you back to the world of Steal Princess. The level editor is also a great reason to return to this game.

3.5

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

3-D puzzle platformer: Dive into a playing field of simple design, but deceptively complex challenge, that combines action elements with puzzle-solving skills on a 3-D, isometric plane. Jump, swing, climb, and attack as you search for the key to complete each level.

Over 150 levels to beat: Levels spanning different geographies and requiring different strategies deliver on the promise of true breadth. Play them again to beat your best times, earn higher rankings, earn better endings, and collect more gems to unlock items.

Create and trade custom levels: A robust custom map maker lets you construct levels with any enemies, items, and victory conditions you want. Trade maps with other players over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and local wireless for a never ending challenge!