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REVIEW
by Phoenix
Otaku 
The
idea of this game sounds a little unusual at first - use your magic to turn
the sticks blue and make them collapse on top of one another. But it's usually
the most unusual games that surprise you in the best way.
Though Collapse looks a little confusing at first, it's actually a pretty nifty
strategy/action game. The main character, Zen, must paint the grey sticks blue,
and make them all collapse by pushing them into a chain reaction, so they hit
each other. This can be aided by adding bridges and walls to connect the reaction.
In the meantime, monsters are loose to stop you.
There are rules and restrictions to the game that add
to its uniqueness. Your character can paint the grey sticks blue without magic,
but needs to use magic (by use of the fire button) to walk without bridges,
and to create bridges to reach the sticks. You are constantly switching between
magic and non-magic Zen, figuring out where to put bridges and walls to time
the collapse, and avoiding the monsters.
Difficulty increases each level, and there are a number
of "sectors" that can be chosen before you play. The game isn't entirely
difficult, and there are a number of ways to play. The monsters taking away
100 units of time instead of killing the player outright is a nice touch, as
well as gaining time for defeating them. This makes them an integral part of
the game, so that the player is equally avoiding them or attempting to capture
them.
Collapse
has good multiplayer potential! Up to four players can play, taking it in turns
to see how far they can get. As soon as one player loses a life, play goes to
the next player, who continues from the level they were on. This may lead to
lengthy play with players waiting a while for their turn, as the game isn't
too difficult on the first few levels.
There is quite a bit of replay value in Collapse as it's a fun game to come
back to occasionally. Also there is the factor of trying to beat your old score
or a friend's high score. There is also another good challenge in the game -
trying to collapse all the sticks in one go! Apparently this is possible in
every single level, and adds another element to the game, and many replays!
Sound wise, there is no music, and sound isn't too bad.
The noise when jumping indicates height with a higher pitch, a pulsating sound
when the diamond appears (extra time bonus), and the noise of the sticks collapsing
are simple but effective, although some sounds can get a little annoying after
a while.
Overall Collapse is a great strategy/action game for solo
play or with others that keeps you on your toes!
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"Smashing!"
(8/10) |
CLICK
HERE to Download an Unlimited Lives file for use in the Atari 800Win
Emulator.
Further Information:
Nalin Sharma, the creator of Collapse
is also the developer behind ZooCube, a 3D puzzle game - available on the Nintendo
Gamecube and Gameboy Advance.
Ferrago (Console
& PC Gaming site)
(Nalin Sharma talks about 'ZooCube')
www.ferrago.com/story/364
Metacritic
(Console & PC Game Reviews)
(ZooCube reviews)
www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gamecube/zoocube