AQWBlaZer91's First Impressions: Pyramids Eshop Demo
Game Title: Pyramids
Platform: Nintendo 3DS Download
Genre: Puzzle/Platform
Developer: Enjoy Gaming Ltd
Publisher: Visual Impact Productions
Demo Released: March 22nd 2012
Date of Full Game Release: October 20th 2011 (Europe)
Age Rating: PEGI: 7+
Pyramids is puzzle where you play as an explorer who has to work his way through the Pyramids in order to escape. In the Full version you get to play through 6 different worlds that have about 9 levels each. You can also scan in using the QR Code to download free levels.
In each stage you need to find collect an artifact which opens the exit leaving you to the move on. There are also coins scattered about each area and upon each completion you are ranked by completing the level and finding the coins within the time limit. If the time runs out in this game you lose the bonus instead of restarting the level which is very strange for video game standards.
The gameplay is handled with the gameplay on the top screen while the touch screen only shows you the button controls.
Each level has some traps that you'll need to avoid otherwise you'll die and restart the level. You do have unlimited life's on this game so you can try again as many times as you like till you beat it.
In many of the Levels you'll find some ammo for your gun to shoot down enemies that get in your way. It's also funny that when shooting in the air your character floats for a split second.
Each level layout is different so you have to memorize each layout to decide the best strategy to complete the stage.
One of the key mechanics of the game is using the ability to make blocks appear and disappear from either below you or from side to side. You can use the blocks to get to higher places that you can't reach.
Sometimes you won't be able to reach some items in the levels due to the level design. While most of the level design does look simple for completing the stages for the artifact but when it comes to grabbing the other items it becomes a pain because sometimes you'll find out that some items are placed at the right side of the exit that you can't jump over for example. Unless you could ever figure most of the layouts out you'll perhaps have to just play the level several times before you'll figure the solution out. In general Pyramids gameplay looks pretty decent but it's curious game design doesn't solve the biggest puzzle that this game has to offer.
For a downloadable game the graphics, animations and particle effects are decent but however the framerate stays at roughly 30 frames during gameplay but there are times where the framerate drops with the fire effects and the explosion effects. In 3D the game looks pretty dull and blurry that the game is meant to be played with the 3D slider off. The music is just one loop that plays over and over again but at least the sound effects are alright.
Overall Pyramids would be an okay puzzle game to download but however the true puzzle to solve lies within the overall gameplay and level design. Unless you can cope with it then maybe for £3:60 it might be worthwhile to download for any puzzle fan. For me personally I don't feel that this isn't the right puzzle for me to download and solve on my own.
Although it's pointless for me to post my first impressions playing the demo due to the games already out but I'm doing this to show off my opinions on playing it.
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Anthony Hayball (AQWBlaZer91)