“Crazy Machines Elements” is the final game of this review series, having been released late 2011-early 2012 on various systems. Shortly after its release, two DLC packs were made available to the masses, adding even more to the base game. Before we take a look at “Crazy Machines Elements”, I’d like to thank Andrew Emond from Viva Media for sending me the “Crazy Machines Complete Pack” to review. To that end, I’ll be taking a look at each of the games in that pack, in turn. You can find the other reviews (assuming they are finished) by clicking on the “Video Games” tab above.
Crazy Machines Elements (PC, PS3, XBox 360)
The main menu addressed the same options as its predecessors, allowing the user to select a level, continue where they left off, make their own creations in the sandbox mode, and adjust game options. Unlike “Crazy Machines 2”, the keys are not rebindable and there is no online option. The video and audio settings cover your basics like screen resolution and graphics quality, but doesn’t offer the ability to toggle vsync and other common options you’d find standard in today’s games.
Having played and reviewed the previous “Crazy Machines” games, it’s easy to notice the progression of the texture models…they get better and better with each passing game. Fire and electricity, for example, felt lifelike and I enjoyed watching them flow with the rest of the environment. What I found odd however was the lack of 3D viewing, considering that “Crazy Machines 2” featured this in a limited capacity. The interface and pieces were a bit harder to navigate, in my opinion, but not to the point where I found the game to be unplayable.
Things look more lifelike this time around, but navigating the interface can be difficult.
The progression starts out slow, giving you a primer on how the various elements function. The later levels, on the other hand, have no problem being brutal and require a great deal of thinking outside the box to figure them out. Like “Crazy Machines 2”, there are optional secondary objectives available for you to complete with every level. These involve “picking up” golden nuts scattered about the environment. Completing the primary objective is enough to pass to the next level, but those of you looking for a challenge will come to appreciate this feature.
Further, a challenge mode of sorts becomes available after progressing about halfway through the game, giving players much more freedom in how they solve a particular puzzle. More elements will be available to be moved around, for example. Needless to say, this will require much more thought than your standard level as you’ll be struggling to piece together how all of the elements are supposed to function together. There is a lab / sandbox mode, but not all of the items are available from the get go. I am not sure I like this feature, as I would have liked to have been able to play with all of the elements straight away.
The DLC packs are a collection of challenges and puzzles, adding more content to the base game. While they aren’t necessary to play the base game, they would certainly appeal to those who enjoyed it and are looking for more. Both of the DLC packs are priced at $2.99 each on Steam, links below.
The DLC missions are available straight away, but they won’t hold your hand.
Overall, “Crazy Machines Elements” is a fun game that can appeal to players of all ages, making it an ideal family game for your home gaming systems. Surprisingly, I feel that “Crazy Machines 2” offers more than this product does. Lack of online functionality and a hint system seems to take away from what its direct predecessor established. I find myself hard pressed to recommend this game in its current state, as it feels like it was thrown together at the last minute. Still, I am but one opinion among millions, so there are those that may not mind the step back from “Crazy Machines 2.”
With that said, “Crazy Machines” and all of its sequels will not appeal to everyone, though if you are someone who enjoys puzzles, excels at thinking outside of the box, and knows how to be patient, then it’s a safe bet that most / any of these games will be worth the purchase. The “Crazy Machines Complete Pack” contains everything I’ve reviewed in this series and has a normal sale price of $49.99, though it’s on sale on Steam for half that until January 5th, 2013. For twenty-five bucks, over five hundred levels with varying elements is a steal, especially when you consider the sandbox modes included in all of the base games. Grab them while you can!
Final Verdict: 6/10
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You can see a video play session, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoLOcS8Z5dU
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You can learn more about and purchase “Crazy Machines Elements” by visiting the following website:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/206410/?snr=1_6_4__421
You can purchase the complete pack here:
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/17728/
You can find the DLC here:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/206416/?snr=1_6_4__421
http://store.steampowered.com/app/206415/?snr=1_6_4__421
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