Plot: What’s it about?
Few things can spark an imagination like a Rube Goldberg device. As you look at the set-up of complicated items poised to unleash a chain reaction, your brain really lights up. So of course, it makes sense that the general concept of those devices was turned into a video game. While Crazy Machines: Elements isn’t the first game to offer players a chance to work within that framework, it does introduce some fresh ingredients. The levels present a simple problem, as there are missing pieces within the contraptions and once you get them back in, the machine rattles to a conclusion. As the levels number into the triple digits, you can imagine how many approaches are found within Crazy Machines: Elements. I do wish there were more ways to solve some of the levels, but most seem to be geared toward a sole approved approach. Even so, for every one that is a little frustrating due to those constraints, there are ten that are fun enough to make you forget.
So what does Crazy Machines: Elements bring to the table in terms of fresh ideas? As the title suggests, the game inserts some elemental powers into the equation. So instead of just using rather static items to finish out the puzzles, now you can wield fire, water, wind, ice, and electricity to bring the contraptions to life. These elements bring a much more active line of thinking, as you need to know not only which element to use, but how it will impact the puzzle. The elements aren’t just tossed in either, as countless puzzles put them to excellent use. So while some games shoehorn in new mechanics just to add a bullet point, here the elemental powers add some welcome depth and variety within the levels. While most of the levels fall into a middle range in terms of challenge, some fall on both sides of that watermark as well. I don’t think Crazy Machines: Elements is a brutally hard game, but you will need to think things through and probably make repeated efforts to solve some levels. Between the usual contraption based content and the new elemental powers, you’re bound to get a nice mental workout here.
In addition to the 100 levels of puzzle mode, you can also put yourself to the test with a challenge mode or test the waters and build your own puzzles. The challenge mode is a lot of fun, perhaps even more fun than puzzle mode. The levels here are very open and provide minimal hand holding as to the puzzle’s solution. This leads to some creative approaches, something the puzzle mode lacked in most levels. You’ll still hit the wall sometimes when the game refuses to give you full credit for an unusual solution, but those instances are infrequent in challenge mode. You’re given a set amount of resources and of course, the really good items pack a high cost. This makes you consider each item, since you will probably need to use your full allotment to solve most levels. The puzzle creation mode is also quite cool, as you can craft your own puzzles to test your creation skills. As fun as it is to let your local friends sample your creations, it is a shame you can’t upload the levels for your friends on Live to test out. That is my main complaint with the set of modes here, as that would have added a lot of value. Overall, Crazy Machines: Elements is a lot of fun and offers a good deal of content, so it is well worth a look.
Video: How does it look?
The visuals here might look cute, but they’re also very detailed and well rendered. Even the most minor of pieces in the puzzles shows a lot of small visual touches, so the attention to detail is solid. The visual design calls for vivid colors of all manner of shades, which gives the game a nice visual charm. This is bright, cheerful stuff, so even when you’re stumped by a puzzle, you’ll never feel too down about it. The animation is well crafted also, so once you solve the puzzles, the resulting chain reaction is more than satisfying to watch in motion.
Audio: How does it sound?
I don’t have a lot to say about the audio, as the sound design didn’t really stand out. The music is passable and doesn’t get on your nerves, which is always a plus. The wacky sound effects of the contraptions is about what you’d expect, but that is fine and it still sounds cool once the machines are active. I wasn’t really impressed by the sound design in this case, but perhaps that I didn’t notice it that much is part of why it should be considered effective.
Supplements: What are the extras?
N/A
