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Video Review: Gravity Crash

In space nobody can hear you squeel like a girl at how pretty things look.
Published 25/11/2009 at 17:00 by colossalblue
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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.

  1. Can’t watch right now PS3 can’t play it :( , I’m getting a psn card this Thur/fri so should I?


    • There’s a trial version to download for free, so try it out!


  2. If anyone remembers Thrust on the BBC Micro this game is basically a direct clone of it, same mission types and such. Both are excellent games, was really pleased to see this mini-genre reappear :)


    • I remember Thrust on the C64!! Great game, but quite difficult to say the least!!


  3. Great review CB, really enjoyed it. Probably buy this when the cheapo PSN cards I’ve ordered off t’internet arrive…


  4. Top review, fella. Well spoken (definitely less forced as you’re feeling more and more comfortable with each new video review). Good humour, etc.

    Am I pushing my luck for a HD version? (on YouTube itself)


    • Thanks for the critique Jonathan Ross!
      That’s the best I can do with the equipment (and knowledge!) I have and it’s a real ballache to get it like that to be honest.
      I’m going to buy the stuff to let me capture in 720p HD after xmas though. It’s expensive and I was astounded that my missus said I could get it all so I’m not going to push my luck by trying to get it before we’ve bought loads of crap for people we don’t really like and toys for other people’s kids ;-)
      We’re trying to make them better though (hence Davs’ shiny assets) so the feedback is good to get. It gives me something to work towards!


      • Well, when it comes down to it, I’m a (graphic) designer by trade so end up writing reports on design elements, new projects, marketing, etc. It kinda comes with the territory and you know how much I enjoy TSA and want it to go from strength-to-strength. Equally, I know how keen you all are to do the right thing (which is great to be honest as so many sites just second-guess what their punters want instead of actually listening) so you’ll always get my opinion.

        Finally, I’ll try to be as constructive as possible even if it’s on a bit of a downer.
        Ooo… I bet your missus only agreed as you used lots of jargon to bamboozle her with. Thing is, she probably left that conversation with the notion that “if he’s buying expensive gizmos I’m getting at least one new handbag a week for all 2010″. :D


  5. Nice review! A lot of info in there, a thing a lot of reviews are missing lately (not here on TSA).

    One gripe I have: You dont actually show the classic controls. You mention them but show the twin-stick control sheme. Before playing the game I searched for videos showing the classic style and its really hard to find videos with it…
    Until now I only play classic (with auto shield). Shooting down in tight spaces is really tricky :-)

    Nice work overall! Keep it up!


  6. I love this game, and the user levels just give it more life..  Tried out Manorhowze’s level last night (cool level, but the spiral bit was annoyingly tricky ;) ), it makes me want to create my own now, which not even LBP achieved!


    • Do it!
      The editor is absolutely gorgeous! The best thing about it is that its incredibly easy to build a fun level. Not much planning needed beforehand, just build as you go. In LBP the editor was way harder to use and to create a fun level you had to put a lot of work into it.


      • So very true. To be fair to LBP its editor was a work of genius, but you’re right that Gravity Crash’s editor is superb. Dead simps to get something playable working.


      • Absolutely. LBPs editor was exceptionally deep and there are lots of users who mastered it and uploaded georgeous levels. It was just too much for me, I like GCs simple nature more. :-)
        Nothing better than playing Gravity Crash with classic controls and an arcade stick!


    • Thanks mate, thats what I was going for. ;)
      I am still getting used to the editor and have now made a second level which has a few more tricky sections if you are up for a challenge.


  7. Thank you Soooo much for giving me the heads up on this one.Amazing game, using the old school controls-Was raised on a gaming diet of Thrust on Atari 800XL, then C64, then ST now GBA.You hit the nail on the head with the brilliance that is the tight controls missing from today`s games-Nowadays everything seems to want to guide you by the hand and dish out an award just for pressing the start button.

    Game seems to have taken the best bits from Thrust, Oids etc and lovingly crafted some brilliance.

    I suck, suck badly at this at the moment, but just got a cheesy grin on my face whilst doing so.


  8. Great review, I only just got around to watching it, I had no interest in Gravity Crash before watching it but now being an older gamer it takes me back to my youth a bit and I might have to pick it up today.


  9. Great review. I’ll definitely be getting this once my PSN cards arrive!!


  10. Played the demo and as i predicted – i thorght it was rubbish. Just not my type of game tbh, although its a good price for a PSN game at 6 quid.


  11. Really good review Peter . Thanks I think you have me sold on this . Im an old timer and it whets my whistle . 


    • Oh yea and you sound like Jimmy Carr ! Are you from the same neck of the woods ?


  12. I actually liked the cutscenes! They add a bit of humour to the thing and with the same styling they don’t really look out of place! They kinda give you the feeling you are doing whatever you are doing for a reason, rather then it being just an abstract thing. I think it matters and should be there.


  13. Due to my internet acting like a soppy teen, I haven’t got the patience to even download the demo. I loved the kebab shop reference, really had me chuckling!


  14. Looks like a rather good game. Could be my next PSN purchase. Good review.



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