Colour Cross (Nintendo DS) - Review by Andrew

Introduction

Just how many puzzlers there are available on the DS is anyone's guess but let's just say there are lots. The reason for this is simple; not only are they reasonably quick and cheap to produce, but get the right ingredients and you could be on to a real money spinner. Take the original Tetris, for example, which is credited as not only selling the original GameBoy but also helping to eliminate the gender bias with games previously predominantly played by males. The problem is, of course, getting just the right balance between simplicity and addictiveness so have Colour Cross managed the pull this off?

Gameplay

If you're a DS owner who enjoys the more puzzling titles then you've no doubt encountered Picross, released by Nintendo, some years ago. The premise was simple: colour in a series of ever more complicated grids with only a set of co-ordinates to guide you. This allowed you to create all manner of images and the end result was actually quite pleasing. Colour Cross is very similar with the biggest difference being that this time it's all in colour. This allows for more complicated pictures but you will have to work for them, thanks to the multi-layered grid with each layer corresponding to a different colour. Switching to a layer (or colour) will tell you how many squares need to be filled both down and across and then the rest is up to you. Initially this is fairly simple, but only a few levels in you'll be scratching your head, trying to complete the current puzzle and then trying to decipher exactly what it is. They are split into themes such as Horror and Candy and once you have completed one level another opens up. Unfortunately, if this is your thing, you'll find that you'll fly though the game and apart from attempting to beat your high score there's little in the way of replay value. Something this simple should have at least included a puzzle creator or Wi-Fi battles but alas, once it's over it is truly over.

Controls

While you can select a few viewing options with the shoulder buttons this is really a touch-screen experience.

Graphics

Given that this is a puzzle game the visuals are more concerned with clarity than anything creative and most of the screens are simply grids waiting to be filled in. Then once you have completed your puzzle, it's unfortunately not always easy to actually see what the image is supposed to be which does seem to defeat the object.

Sound

Nothing particularly memorable here but, at the same time, nothing too irritating either.

Dual screen

Simply a case of selecting a colour and painting the correct block although due to the areas you are required to colour being so small, you may occasionally attempt to paint the wrong one through no fault of your own.

Final comments

In the end you are either going to love Colour Cross or hate it and although we found it reasonably entertaining, it's no Tetris. If you do find the thought of colouring in blocks an engaging pastime though, there's plenty here and the 150 or so puzzles should keep you going for some time. Unfortunately that's it and with no multiplayer and little to replay, it's unlikely to find its way into your DS once completed.

Pro: Simple But Engaging Gameplay, Lots of Puzzles.
Con: Not for Everyone, Can Become Repetitive
Final score: 6

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