E3 2011: Crush3D preview – quite possibly the perfect 3D puzzle platformer

It seems like we haven’t had a break from mind-bending puzzle games for the last few years, and Sega’s Crush 3D for the Nintendo 3DS is just making it worse. The redesigned title, originally on the PSP, has been given a total makeover and most importantly – 3D.

Imagine there are three platforms on a 3D plane: you’re standing on one, there’s another in front of you, but it’s too distant to jump to. And the third is closer, but floating off to the left, also too far to leap onto. If Danny needs to bridge the gap and get to the most distant platform, he must first move the camera to a mostly sideways profile view (or 2.5D), which leaves the platform off to the left now in between the gap but in the distance. Danny can now use the “crush” ability, which flattens the 3D environment into 2D. The platform that was previously off to the side is moved closer, and fits in between the other two, creating a single unbroken platform in 2D. This enables flat Danny to just walk to the right, stopping on the far platform. Then, pop the world back into 3D, and there you are, standing on the platform you previously couldn’t reach.

It’s really cool. You’ll just have to trust us. But only until September, when Crush 3D hits shelves.

Jun 10, 2011