Crazy Machines Elements Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3, Xbox 360
Dev: FAKT Software
Pub: DTP Entertainment
Release: August 24, 2011
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p

The presentation here is definitely a high point. The graphics are colorful and carefully constructed, and the sound effects do a great job of making the game seem lively, despite the fact that it's almost completely devoid of human personalities. The only hiccup is the music, which often sounds like it should be playing in an elevator, or as customer-service "on hold" background noise.

Crazy Machines Elements Screenshot

Finally, I noticed a few weird things about the physics engine. Occasionally, items will behave in weird ways, bouncing much farther than they should or falling at odd angles. It's not a game-breaker, but it's annoying to see in a title whose gameplay relies almost exclusively on physical interactions between items.

All in all, Crazy Machines Elements doesn't have enough going for it to be worth your $10. There's some fun to be had designing levels and figuring out the more open-ended puzzles, but when a game's primary mode isn't fun, I can't really recommend it. Further, Crazy Machines is simply not a good fit for a console controller, and players will constantly yearn for the intuitiveness of a mouse. The Incredible Machine has an incredible legacy, but this descendant is not part of it.

By Robert VerBruggen
CCC Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.5

Graphics
The visuals are colorful and crisp.

2.0

Control
This game really, really needs a mouse.

3.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The sound effects are nice, but the music is lame.

2.8

Play Value
The puzzles don't give you enough creative control, though there are a lot of them.

3.0

Overall Rating - Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Experience the latest chapter in the international, multi-award-winning Crazy Machines series: "Elements."

Build crazy machines from everyday objects and bizarre components.

Use the elements (fire, water, and wind) to discover all the fantastic possibilities available to you!

Use the cloud machine and generate lightning, tornadoes, and rain to complete your chain reactions; real physics will simultaneously be your best ally and your toughest enemy.

One hundred puzzles will get your brain buzzing, and the in-built editor and lots of new level packs will provide the puzzle fodder.

Play in Challenge mode and find out who can make the coolest machine out of you and your friends.