Picross 3D - DS {Review}

Most simple concepts are just that, simple and intuitive. Take sliced bread. A cliché example but damn if it isn't ingenious. Picross 3D is much in this same vein, providing tons of content in a simple, easy to pick up game. Old fans and new, like myself, of the Picross series will definitely want to check this title out. If you aren't a fan, you will be after playing this game for a little while. Overall, it provides an experience that, though frustrating at time, is very rewarding and requires you to exercise your critical thinking skills (not like Brain Age, this game is actually good).

The gameplay formula is easy to understand. Outer blocks show how many blocks belong in the puzzle in each row or column. Using problem solving skills, i.e. if there are six blocks in a row and five belong, you know that the middle four all belong in the puzzle, you slowly chip away at a giant cube until you have a finished product. Circles and squares also indicate how many groups the blocks are organized into. The game's pace is excellent and, if you go through the tutorial, you'll be ready for any puzzle, although the tutorial still continues through the easy puzzles. 


The end product of the puzzles are pretty neat to just look at and see how they animate. The developers did a great job of animating each puzzle. Some are decidedly Japanese, but the sense of accomplishment you get after completing each puzzle never changes, no matter what the difficulty.

Just as a casual game, Picross 3D has a winning formula that will keep you engrossed for a long while. Over 360 puzzle are included in the game, and more can be downloaded. That's a lot of Picross, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The sounds and graphics have a very unique, cubic style that is interesting to look at. I was able to snag this game for $20 at GameStop, a great price for this game. If you're interested at all in this game, definitely pick it up. It's well worth it just for it's playability on the john or anywhere else you can't fit a full size console. The puzzles are short enough that they will keep you entertained and make you want to keep going, but also can be put down if need be. An excellent game.

Gameplay - 5/5
Sound - 4/5
Replayability - 5/5
Fun - 5/5
Overall - 4.5/5