(PSN) PixelJunk Eden
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Pixel Junk Eden
... if your garden was an acid trip
Q-Games and Sony Japan have released another interesting game which defy a clear place in any one genre and could clearly be given its own genre called ‘Puzzle on LSD’. With this being the third Pixel Junk game on the Playstation network, after ‘Pixel Junk Monsters’ and ‘Pixel Junk Monsters Encore’ it is obvious Q-Games will continue to deliver unique and compelling titles, but how does this title stack up and does it deserve your money and is ‘Eden’ a bad trip?
Gameplay
One of the most interesting downloadable games we have seen or played on any one platform is no doubt Pixel Junk Eden. Starting out in an almost barren garden you begin by jumping up and spin around collecting these items called Spectra, which have been scattered across gardens, using Spectra you grow plants allowing you to reach higher points and collect more Spectra. Finally reaching your goal, clearing the garden and moving to the next level and then you repeat. Basically that is all there is to the game, but the game has a fluid presentation mixed with this addictive need to reach the next garden that is very appealing.
The game play is simple, but at first it appears to be very flawed with controls that just do not seem to work as well as they should and general issues that make the game frustrating, but after a learning curve which would have been much smaller by instructions that made sense the gameplay becomes fluid and if it was not for the very annoying frustrating parts of the game it would get a near perfect score gameplay wise.
One of the most annoying and frustrating parts of Eden is the fact you can not see enough of the garden level you are on and you will quickly miss plants you wish or must land on and you will end up hitting the ground like a meteor. More then once this caused enough frustration for me to shut down the game as it was more annoying then you can imagine. If this only happened a few times at first it would be fine, but it happens over and over again to the point of being almost absurd.
Multiplayer has potential with up to three players in Co-op, but you will find it more frustrating when you are trying to keep people on the screen, working together and communication. Much of the overall fun, presentation and gameplay are lost during Co-op as it is now, but with a patch this can be rectified and should make the multiplayer game a treat.
If you like the idea of trophies you are in luck as this game supports them, but if you like easy trophies this might not be the game for you in the end. Getting most or all of the trophies is very difficult, but if you actually pull it off, it will be rewarding and of course you can brag to your friends by recording your game and showing the video, potentially on Youtube, which is another wonderful feature that so far only the PS3 can pull off.
Graphics & Audio
A unique art style puts Pixel Junk Eden in a class by it self and with a high definition monitor the subtle look of the graphics will grow on you as the pollen flows and the plants grow. With such a simple art style I expected the art to work even on a SDTV but there was something honestly missing for me, so I took it back to the high definition TV. Honestly the graphics have a paint splattered on a wall, with it running down to make interesting designs and the music is a mix of bad organ music in your garden and in the game it is a weird techno hip hop dance track which is honestly a bit on the annoying side.
If the audio was better, especially the music I would have no problems giving it a better score thought I would not want to be the audio director for a game of this type as I can not think of a type of music that would or could fit in Eden. Overall I found the sound effects to be ok, but what music there was to be nothing more then forgettable.
Value
Repetitive in nature, so the actual replay value is cut way back to almost none and Co-Op is just not there in terms of a gameplay selling point.
Bottom Line
Try the demo, because this is for sure a game that is not for everyone, but if it is you will find it to be a wonderful puzzle experience and something you will play over and over again if you end up enjoying the title.
Pros
* Presentation is great
* Interesting graphic style
* Cool game with a lot of game for your buck
* Unique game, very unique
Cons
* The learning curve is steep
* A game that should be casual stresses you out
* Controls are not great at first but you can get used to them after a while
* Repetitive levels and gameplay
* Music is not great
* Repetitive gardens
Final Verdict
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
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