Platform: Nintendo DS
ESRB Rating: E
MSRP: $19.99
What I look for when I'm purchasing a portable video game is one that is enjoyable, fun in small bursts, and rewarding. Picross DS manages to achieve all of these things in flying colors.
Picross DS is a sequel on the Nintendo DS to the Game Boy hit, Picross. In the game, players are given a 10x10, 15x15, 20x20, or 20x25 pixel grid to shade in with pixels. On the left and top side of each grid, over each column or by each row, is a set of numbers, telling players how many pixels are in a row with at least one pixel space in between these sets. Using logic and the process of elimination, players created pixelated art from a blank canvas. This can be difficult to imagine without actually trying the game, I know that I was weary of picking up the game, but it is ultimately an obvious exercise in elimination and logic strategies.
It's grapes!
As part of Nintendo's "Touch Generation" series of games, Picross DS is not a terribly deep game. The "general gameplay description" above pretty much covers the bulk of the game. There are, however, some subtle nuances to the gameplay that make the system much smoother and polished. When playing Picross, there are a total of three standard modes to choose from: easy mode, which offers very simple introductory 10x10 puzzles and tells players if they place a pixel in an incorrect spot; normal mode, which also tells players of misplaced pixels, but has pixel boards up to 25x20 pixels; and free mode, which also offers pixel boards up to 25x20, but does not tell players if they place an incorrect pixel. One gameplay inclusion is the ability to put X-marks on pixels that players do not believe need to be filled, which comes in handy during the larger free mode puzzles. Another inclusion is the Overlay system, a system only available in free mode which allows players to "try out" pixel sets to see if they fit before attempting them in the actual puzzle and screwing up the whole thing. Players are allotted one hour to complete each puzzle; realistically, none of the puzzles actually take an hour to complete. However, in Easy and Normal mode, if players were to place pixels at random and place an incorrect one, their time is added to, thus adding some sort of reward for not simply guessing on puzzles. All of this amounts to an incredibly intuitive, intense gameplay system that performs incredibly well for the game.
Also as per usual with the Touch Generation series, the graphics aren't the game's strongest points. This is a game about pixels, so mostly players are looking at a big grid for most of the game. The developers attempted to switch things up by making optional textures available (grass that's mown when you place a pixel, stone that gets pixels chiseled into it, etc.), but really, it all boils down to a bunch of squares. Fortunately, there is a ton of variety in the picture-puzzles, the end pictures are well animated and colorful, and the clean interface works well for the game. Nothing spectacular, but after all, this is just a puzzle game.
OMG! The pixels are apples!
Sound is also a weak point for this title. While the sound effects are serviceable (little clicks when you place a correct pixel, grating squeaks when you mess up), the music is pretty terrible. Nothing too big is expected of most puzzle games, but the elevator style music gets old, quick, and though the developers offered plenty of different tracks, it doesn't matter when all of them suck so bad. Players are better off just turning it off and listening to an MP3 player instead.
Multiplayer is there. The weaker part of the multiplayer is the actual head-to-head multiplayer. This is pretty much just a typical race where two or more players are given a puzzle and they race to see who can complete it faster, nothing terribly interesting. However, the community aspect of the multiplayer is where the game truly shines. Included in the game is the ability to create original Picross puzzles, a program that is easy to use and accessible from the moment players turn the game on. Across the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, players are able to share original puzzles, offering endless possibilities and replayability for the title, a very good sign for the future of a portable title. Not only are players able to download original puzzles off the WFC, they are also able to download classic puzzles from the original Picross in free, 10-puzzle packs from Nintendo. So, along with the over 300 puzzles included with the game, there are an infinite amount to download from the community and a possibly infinite amount from Nintendo itself. The only knock against the online capabilities of the game is friend codes, which will be a necessary evil on the DS for the rest of its life span.
1. Place Pixels. 2. Draw Picture. 3. Send to friends. 4. Done.
Good: Intuitive, accessible gameplay; limitless puzzles available; only $20; rewarding and challenging at the same time
Bad: The music; the graphics; friend codes; oh, dear God, the music...
Overall Impression: Picross DS has quickly become my favorite DS game, filling the gap that Elite Beat Agents left after I completed the entire game. It was cheap, it's fun, it's challenging, and I can play it forever.
Score: 10/10
*Images courtesy of IGN.com
