Video Review: Gravity Crash
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Article written by colossalblue in Featured Stories, PS3 Reviews, Videos, on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 17:00.
Pros:
- Beautiful “modern-retro” art styling and well-realised soundtrack.
- Precise and delicate control schemes which cater for different tastes.
- Comprehensive and intuitive Editor mode.
Cons:
- Could have greater variation in mission-types.
- Controls take a bit of practice to be functional.
- Cut-scenes seem out of place.
Verdict: With Gravity Crash you have to be aware of what you’re buying. It’s not a two stick shooter and it’s not what we would think of as a traditional arcadey or casual game. Just Add Water have created a game which is extremely reminiscent of the 8-bit games from my childhood but in doing so they have re-introduced me to a precision and difficulty of control that has been missing from more modern games.
This is not a bad thing but it is absolutely necessary that we are aware of what we’re getting into. For what it is Gravity Crash is an exceptionally well-realised game in almost every way but whether or not it finds a home amongst modern gamers will be its sternest test. I only hope that it passes that test as it is definitely a title and a style of game-play which deserves attention.
Score: 8/10
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
cc_star | 25/11/2009 17:03
Team TSA: Writer
5826 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
A proper game.
I’m loving the create mode, it’s infinitely easier to create something meaningful than LBP is, great fun IMO.
lewis815 | 25/11/2009 17:05
Member
685 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
Hey not sure if this has been brought up..
But once you complete the campaign a new arcade mode opens up called “gold grabber” i think if you do really well in that it will unlock the “mega points” secret trophy?
skibadee | 25/11/2009 17:05
Member
1969 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2009
I got this yesterday I feel 8/10 is fair score. I find the movement a bit hard to master, but I’m getting there.
lewis815 | 25/11/2009 17:07
Member
685 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
It’s real easy when you really get to grips with it
gazo69 | 25/11/2009 17:20
Member
1061 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Nice review, i agree with the score. I love being able to land and rescue friendly’s, its my favourite bit
colossalblue | 25/11/2009 17:25
Team TSA: Editor
1140 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
That’s my favourite bit too! I love the fact that you have to be really delicate with the controls to get a decent landing.
carlosfilippsen | 25/11/2009 17:21
Member
1313 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
Pretty good game
nickerton | 25/11/2009 17:24
Member
223 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2009
Loving the Video reviews, as much as you guys have a god given talent for writing, I don’t have a god given talent for reading lol
Manorhowze | 25/11/2009 17:26
Driving God
1885 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
Excellent review as always. I think this game definitely appeals more to people aged 25+ but it is a great game in its own right. I still play lunar lander every now and then so the normal controls work best for me.
The multiplayer seems fun but this is going to be more of a single player game for me.
The editor is exceptional. It can be a bit awkward for the first few minutes but then you start to become accustomed to the controls and it all seems very easy. You can make a good level in minutes so I cant wait to see what some levels will be like when people have spent weeks making them.
The only criticism I have is that when you complete someone elses user created level you can not replay the level. you have to go back and search for it again. That works fine if your browsing levels but if you want to try and beat your previous best its a bit fiddly.
Watchful | 25/11/2009 17:26
Team TSA: Writer
2037 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
I really like the sense of momentum the game conveys whether it’s just the weighty feeling of your ship or the transfer of momentum from a meteor impacting your shield. I also liked the use of water to ‘flip gravity’ rather than having some kind of abstract zone to achieve the same thing like some other games.
Tried playing it yesterday using the retro control setup with manual shields. You’ve got to be a masochist to play with those settings for long! I don’t know how we all used to cope with the original lander-type games.
colossalblue | 25/11/2009 17:30
Team TSA: Editor
1140 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
I know, I tried the standard controls and manual shield for a few minutes and was almost tempted to turn my TV black and white to complete the experience!
Michael | 25/11/2009 20:21
Team TSA: Development
2026 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Am tempted to continue with manual shields so as to have a decent excuse for being rubbish.
Damigos | 25/11/2009 17:42
* Banned *
-828 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2009
“the cup” find it, play it, rate it
TehFunk | 25/11/2009 17:45
Member
105 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2009
Man, I am loving this game sooooo much, I can’t stop playing.
I started on the retro setup, which is a blast, and just feels nicer and more rewarding to play.
I just wished the Bosses were maybe a little more difficult, though I still have 2 to go, so we’ll see.
I was anticipating this game a hell of a lot since I first seen it, and it’s deserved all the personal hype I gave it.
Gravity Crash is a big fat 5 neon-y stars for me, big thanks to the people involved in creating this (L).
lewis815 | 25/11/2009 17:52
Member
685 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
Am I being stupid here.. How do you actually rate another players game?
Manorhowze | 25/11/2009 18:00
Driving God
1885 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
You have to pause while playing the level. The option is on the pause menu. It took me ages to find it as well.
lewis815 | 25/11/2009 18:16
Member
685 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
Ahh cheers.
cheekyMcB | 25/11/2009 17:54
Member
581 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
Very well presented review……love the “made from compacted space-dust” in the credits :-)
Roynaldo | 25/11/2009 18:24
Member
2502 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
These videos are getting better every time, loved the TSA intro.
I hope you dont mind some constructive feedback in an honest effort to try and make them even better: Can you try and make the visuals more moulded to the words that you are saying. eg. when you talk about getting to a boss, flick to images of said boss and things like that.
Really good review and a refreshing change from the norm. Good stuff
davidjmclare | 25/11/2009 18:43
always on easy
890 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
nice review, do the video reviews get onto metacritic?
deepmenace | 25/11/2009 18:45
Member
245 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
the whole control issue is frying my brain!
havent played it yet but are people using the standard control setup or the twin stick shooter one?
does it make the game vastly different?
is the standard just pure harder and that’s it?
Manorhowze | 25/11/2009 18:53
Driving God
1885 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
The 2 control setups are very different. The Twin stick one is easier as it allows independent flight and shooting controls whereas the standard is shoot where you are pointing. I find the standard one better but thats probably because its so reminiscent of Lunar Lander, I imagine most people would prefer the twin stick method.
JustHonour | 26/11/2009 04:01
Member
213 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
I’m using the standard controls as well. I couldn’t accurately control the ship through tight spaces with the two stick method so consequently couldn’t get past the second planet (kept crashing while trying to pick up the artifact).