Picross 3D

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by: Victoria E. Rush (Bloomfield Hills, MI United States)
on: Sunday, 17-October-2010

Ive been playing this game for a few months and am almost finished. I challenged myself to replay all the puzzles until I finished them with a perfect rating, or I would have finished much sooner. I enjoy the game and see only one drawback, which might annoy some people who arent as compulsive as I am: you have to achieve a certain minimum performance on each level before you can move on to the next. I dont mind replaying the puzzles until I get that rating, especially since this persistence allowed me time to discover some techniques I missed on the first time (sometimes first several times) through. Yet I can see some people thinking, I payed for all these puzzles, why cant I play them when I want to? Or even getting stuck at some point and not being able to move on at all, which would annoy me a lot. Aside from this one drawback, I found this game engaging, challenging, satisfying, and fun.

by: Will Nation (Dallas, TX)
on: Wednesday, 13-October-2010

First, let me say that I worked at a video game store for 2+ years, and I had never played this game, nor taken it very seriously.

On my college campus, a very close female friend mentioned a game on the DS she enjoyed, which I identified as this game. As a surprise to her, I bought it with the intent of letting her borrow and play it. I was pleasantly surprised by the game, it is both fun and easy to pick up and play for short times. As someone that is only somewhat into puzzle games, I found that the 3D aspect made solving the puzzles more challenging, as well as more interactive. I can say that the game has a fairly lengthy learning process before you can really just play the game, which could be very annoying if you just wanted to play the game or show it to someone. If you have the patience though, this game is a worthy addition to a DS game library, and is priced well in terms of bang for buck.

by: Amanda (United States)
on: Friday, 8-October-2010

I am a big fan of logic picture puzzles in any form, and this game is totally addictive and so much fun. I have finished the whole game with perfect scores. And yes, as some other reviewers pointed out, this meant that I had to redo some of the puzzles many, many times. I feel that it added to the longevity of the game. There were only a few that really annoyed me to keep doing, most of the time it just felt like a challenge. I have now downloaded all the extra puzzle packs from Nintendo and am still playing because it is so addictive. The most annoying thing is the yellow cube Picross 3D character who jumps around on the top screen, but you get used to it. Also it provided me some satisfaction to watch him die when I lost at a hard puzzle. I play it on my Nintendo DSi XL, so it is very easy to see on the big screen.

by: Colleen A. Sullivan (L G Wisconsin)
on: Sunday, 29-August-2010

I am always looking for good DS games that are fun to play and are good exercise for your brain. I believe this game hits both of those points incredibly well.

This game is so fun because it is such a simple concept and so easy to play. It starts out really slow and easy so you can really get the hang of it. Then it steadily becomes more and more challenging. Its so much fun to knock out blocks and uncover the mystery shape.

I am not sure if this would be the most exciting game for kids, but if you are a little older(I am 26) and like to pass some time playing brain games. This game is the best. It really makes you think.

I highly recommend this game if you like such titles as Professor Layton, Puzzler world, and the Zelda games. I say that because those are some of my favorites and I really like this game.

I hope this review was helpful. I am not a critic, but that is what I thought. Def worth the money.

by: M. Mathews (San Antonio, TX)
on: Saturday, 28-August-2010

I am 59 and this is a good game to keep the mind working but in a fun way. I simply cannot go one nite without attempting a puzzle.

by: Nell84 (United States)
on: Monday, 16-August-2010

This is the best puzzle game I have purchased for my DS thus far. If you like sudoku or the orginal picross - this will take it to a whole new level!

by: Mary (Brighton, MI USA)
on: Monday, 16-August-2010

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this game! If you are a fan of picross 2D...this game is exceptional!
I hope they come out with PICROSS 3D - 2!

by: Michigoon (Mid-MI)
on: Thursday, 12-August-2010

Picross 3D seems like a perfect little puzzle game. Youre given a three-dimensional group of blocks, and using number clues provided you have to knock off the blocks that dont belong. In the end, you reveal a cute little object beneath (from monkeys to helicopters to letters). Once youve uncovered the object, you also get a nifty little animation of the object in motion, and it gets added to a collection that you can view later. Theres a ton of puzzles, a variety of challenges, and plenty of extra options and unlockables. Its a great game.

But its not perfect. The unlocking revolves around a system where you earn stars for each puzzle. Taking too long to do a puzzle, or making mistakes as you knock off blocks, can reduce the number of stars earned. Youd think this is a nice way to add challenge, but its really a little frustrating as theres more incentive to do a quicksave before taking big chances, or to just restart puzzles until you can earn full stars. This is especially frustrating because there are a few puzzles with minor errors in the clues (showing there are 3 blocks in a row when it turns out there are 4), or where at a certain point the clues just dont have enough information to make a move without guessing (many blocks have no clue numbers on them, so sometimes you hit a real dead-end).

I still recommend this game highly, as well the previous Picross game which had 2-dimensional puzzles. Aside from the frustration of restarting puzzles now and then to improve your star count, this is a game with very few faults. And actually, I find the most distracting part of the game to be the Picasso-style mascot that dances on the top screen as you solve puzzles. This character is mostly indescribable so youll have to see for yourself. Everything else in the game is made out of cute little blocks, but the mascots face doesnt quite conform to the block graphics style. Why? Its just these little things that keep Picross 3D from being a true masterpiece.

by: Lynn B. Bigelow (Cumming, GA USA)
on: Wednesday, 11-August-2010

I had seen this game and the reviews but it just didnt look like something I would like but out of total boredom one day I bought it and was I ever wrong. Of all the DS games I have played, its one of the hardest ones to put down. I find myself picking it up many times a day just to do another one and on extended play I find myself saying just one more and before I know it a couple of hours have passed. Truly one of the best DS games I have played.

by: JB (Washington, DC United States)
on: Friday, 6-August-2010

I had never heard of this game and wasnt really sure what to expect, but find it to be very addictive. Its similar to sudoku in that it only has a few rules, but I may have to stare at the puzzle for awhile to figure out the one or two moves available. It seems to go from easy to hard pretty quickly, and I wish that I could turn off the time feature, or that there were hints available. And as some of the other reviewers pointed out, you really have to use your imagination to see the solved puzzles as what theyre supposed to be (a soccer juggler, an insect catcher, etc.).

by: E. Grove (Aurora, CO USA)
on: Friday, 6-August-2010

This game is like a good spy or mystery novel, it gets you involved and you dont want to put it down. If you are a senior citizen who is trying to keep their brain matter functioning then give this game a try. Bet youll love it!

by: Ari Velazquez (United States)
on: Tuesday, 3-August-2010

Ive always been a fan of regular 2D picross and played online versions all the time. I never got into the first Picross DS game, but this 3D version is a lot of fun and makes you think outside the box to try and visualize the 3D shape.

by: K. Groh (Pennsylvania)
on: Monday, 2-August-2010

I wasnt sure about getting this. It looked like way too much brain power was needed when I just wanted something to escape with.

Once I started, I couldnt put it down. It is easy to spend 5 minutes or an hour... or two.

When I began and got through the first few levels, I thought, This is going to be too easy to get to the end.
But the farther on I went, the better they got and when the easy ones occasionally showed up, it was a welcome break.

Once you get through a set of puzzles, it is great to go back and try to get a three star rating on any that you may have missed.

For each puzzle, there are up to three stars given. One is for completing it within the preset time frame (you can use more time but you just loose a star). Another star is for making it through without making any mistakes. I think the last star is just for finishing the puzzle.

Once you complete a section of puzzles, there are two bonus puzzles based on how many stars you received. I liked going back to rework a puzzle but sometimes I got really monotonous when I was going too fast and hit a block by mistake.

Overall a fun game with a few annoyances.

I dont think this would work for younger children, although my 11 year old son who is very logical in his thinking would probably enjoy it.

by: Andie (Albany, NY United States)
on: Friday, 30-July-2010

I really love to play puzzle games on my DS, so I played the original Picross DS and loved it. Which brings me to Picross 3D, which I also love. It is very addictive, and definitely takes some logical thinking-through to figure out the puzzles, especially as you go up the levels. The tutorial teaches you to play the game - I didnt even need to open the manual. It does take a little getting used to after playing the old 2d version, since you have to learn how to manipulate the blocks so that you can see a slice at a time to get at the inner blocks. But once you figure that out its an easy game to master the gameplay.

I would give this game 5 stars for the sheer fun of it, but there are a few minor things that keep it from being perfect. One is that it is very easy in this new format to make an accidental error due to your stylus slipping or just not quite being in the right spot. The blocks are all piled on top of one another in 3D and you do have to be careful, especially when knocking out an entire row of 0s. The other thing that is a (minor) problem is the fact that the final product rarely looks anything like anything, much less the object it is supposed to be. Its worse than in the original game. If it didnt label it at the end, I probably would have no idea what it was supposed to be about 70% of the time. Like I said, its minor and may not bother some players, but its a little annoying for me.

Overall, great game! I highly recommend it for those who like logic puzzles!

by: M. Twomey (Middletown, RI United States)
on: Wednesday, 28-July-2010

I love this game...I cannot stop playing this game...someone please take away this game!

I love the original Picross, and although sometimes the blob that you end up with doesnt exactly look like what they say it is, I dont really care -- its the logic that I enjoy.

I do think its a shame that some people have trouble advancing (new levels open up as games in each level are solved), I found that going back and doing the ones over (and sometimes over and over and over) that I made mistakes on is a great way to better learn how to figure it out, and that in turn helps you to progress. It would definitely help if there were longer time limits in order to get that third star.

Still...I cannot stop playing this game!

Another bonus is if you have wi-fi you can hook up your DS to that and download even more puzzles. It was really simple to do -- I had never done that before I got this game.

Enjoy -- but dont forget to eat!!

by: Kay Masson (Texas)
on: Saturday, 24-July-2010

I bought this game for my birthday, for myself...not sure how fun it would be. Boy was I surprised. It turneed out to be the best game I have ever played...ever.
The tutorial is needed. The timed puzzles are a good way to get your brain thinking quicker. I cannot say enough good about this game.
I dont think every game should be for everyone as our brains do work differently.

I look forward to the next picross 3D game as I am nearly done with this one. Please hurry, Nintendo.

by: Amanda Lynn Reynolds (United States)
on: Monday, 19-July-2010

I am a puzzle lover more than any other type of game. I have not been able to put this one down since I got it. I love it!

by: ephany77 (Georgia)
on: Saturday, 17-July-2010

A friend was given this for a birthday gift and found it completely addictive so I thought Id give it a shot. Im very glad I did! The tutorial (necessary in my opinion) gives you a nice, quick walkthrough for people like me who havent played this type of game before. I sat down meaning to play one or two puzzles and over an hour passed before I knew it. I like the fact that you dont have to score a perfect on every puzzle to complete the level and IMO you have plenty of time to figure each picture out. This is a great game if you just want to play one or two puzzles quickly or if you want to go the marathon route. Highly recommended especially if you love number puzzle games.

by: Bingo-Karen Haney (Florida)
on: Tuesday, 13-July-2010

I am a senior citizen and love the mental challenge and fun of this game. It is like a good book as I solve one puzzle and then say just one more and it goes on and on! Love this game and cant stop playing it...good thing when battery needs to be recharged or I would be on it forever! Recommend for middle grade students on up to adults for sure!

by: V. Bagley (United States)
on: Monday, 12-July-2010

Although I have some experience with logic-based puzzles like suduko, minesweeper and more recently Link-A-Pix, this is my first attempt at the popular Picross puzzlers.

As a newb to this series I felt a little intimidated to be jumping into a 3D game without trying my hand at any of the 2D Picross offerings, but I have to say that Im completely in love with this game and will be going back to purchase the previous installments. Heres what I thought!

Tutorial

Ive seen several complaints about the tutorial being too slow, but its quite wonderful when you havent dealt with this type of game. I never felt frustrated or confused as each new rule included the tutorial that held your hand through a puzzle, then several easier examples. You can choose to skip the tutorials and begin with the the Easier stage but you have to complete each stage to move onto the next. I cant really see a negative side of skipping the tutorial because if youre experienced and a completist you can breeze through the section.

I thought the game would be too hard for my 12-year old who isnt a huge fan of puzzle games, but I was pleasantly surprised that with the tutorial she was able to grasp and fall in love as well.

Game Controls

To put it simply, wonderful. Its very easy to rotate and use the slicers available (introduced in the later parts of the tutorial) for larger puzzles. The controls are very accurate so rarely do you make an incorrect move.

Game Play

Addictive. There are a few added challenges though. There are bonus puzzles to each level which you can only unlock if you have the necessary number of stars for the level. You get stars by finishing a puzzle within a time limit and/or completing a puzzle with few (or no) mistakes. I find that such challenges give me a goal to work with which keeps me interested in a game, but I think there should be an option to play without them as well. Also, your game is over if you make too many mistakes, kind of a bummer for someone who doesnt want to be pressured and wants to play at a more leisurely pace.

Graphics

The graphics leave so much to be desired. They are rudimentary at best and have a blockiness that reminds you of some of the earliest of early games back in the 80s. Perhaps thats intentional, but it would have been nice once you finished the puzzles that the animations take on some life, instead of cubed versions of grapes, for example. And you wont even be able to figure out what your working on during the puzzle...at all. One puzzle I worked was a rectangle, with a couple of cubes...it ended up being a blackboard with chalk, a big stretch. Still, the graphics and music (which can be turned off) dont diminish the fun factor of the game.

Overall

I believe Picross 3D will appeal to you non-puzzle fans if you need a break from your other favorite genres, but for puzzle fans you need to go out and buy this great deal (only $20!) right now!!!