Before you read another word of this review, have a look at a few of the screen-shots and come back. One word to describe the visuals would be minimalist, another would be enchanting and where your thoughts lie on this issue will determine how much fun you'll have with Crayon Physics Deluxe.
Crayon Physics is an 'indie' based platformer from previously unknown game designer Petre Purho. In this title the goal is simply to guide the red ball from one end of the level to the gold star usually residing on the other side of the screen. But where CPD really shines is in the direction users solve this conundrums. In this wonderfully versatile engine, anything that is drawn using the crayon cursor is attributed with a realistic physical value, and behaves accordingly within each levels space. So for example if you draw an bucket which is connected to a rope and pulley system, as you add extra weight to bucket it will pull whatever is on the other side up, bigger shapes have more weight, and the versatility of the solutions within represent something quite special in the puzzle genre. Users can create bridges, sea-saws, elaborate pulley systems and pretty much anything which aspires to coast your red ball to its beloved gold star. While the goal in its theory lacks complication, the solutions are often tricky and require a lot of thought, but like every great puzzle game preceding Purho's creation, the solutions make the required effort all the more rewarding.
 There are ninety levels for the players pleasure, and once you complete an island there is a useful level editor to be toyed around with and the more creative and artistically minded can upload them to the Playground, which is Crayon Physics Deluxe level sharing website. At time of review, there is already over seven hundred levels for your amusement. Obviously the gap between quality and rubbish is pretty wide at this point, but even a mere week after release there is already some devilishly hard creations, not to mention inventive ones as well, so their should be some substantial longevity to your purchase.
The graphics may be cutesy but there is a genuine sense of innocence about the level design, which never fails to bring a smile your face when you break a particularly hard puzzle. This light and tension free atmosphere is maintained throughout the experience the colourful crayon aesthetic is throughout not only in the levels, but also in the menus, map screen and even in the minimalist music. Speaking of the soundtrack it is both relaxing and engaging, and suits the mood of the puzzles on offer perfectly. As you complete each puzzle and finally finish a blue boat leads to each next set of challenges on one of the games seven different islands, which unlock as you successfully collect enough stars. Challenges later on offer more stars than the obligatory one for extra pinache, such as completing a level only making contact with the ball once or by providing a complicated solution in order to earn an extra star.
As student creator Petre Purho suggests it is not about finding the correct solution only the most imaginative, and it is indeed with this mindset that Crayon Physics is to be approached. There are some weight to complaints that some of the puzzles can be broken rather easily, but if your ball is propelled into the wrong place you can restart the level with two easy clicks. Any comedy or sense of brilliance comes is aided by the entertaining level design but ultimately comes from each gamers own experience and willingness to try something new or offbeat. For example one particular level left me stumped for a good twenty minutes while I decided to just experiment with an elaborate pulley mechanic using rockets as propulsion – oh yeah, there is rockets by the way. Obviously I failed spectacularly, a degree in history notwithstanding, but there is nothing quite like watching a small red ball rocket to oblivion with neon coloured pulleys in tow as a speed which can only be described as atmosphere burning. Surely having such a romanticised notion over something as rudimentary is, I'm sure, a lot like someone trying to describe the philosophical lessons of your average episode of Balamory, or Sesame Street if your not down with the kids. But what is here can only be truly comprehended by playing and for only £14 or €15. 
Obviously at this point I'm sure you all realise I really enjoyed this title, as a full retail release it may have struggled in the market place but as it is pretty much a budget game, with an idea which will be new to the vast majority of people it makes it an easy purchase. Everything which Crayon Physics tries to do it does, some may struggle with the definition of this title as regards to it being a toy or a game but as mentioned previously its what you want CPD to be. Impulsions to go back to previous levels in an effort to avoid the simpler solutions in pursuit of more ridiculous ones is always a pleasure. This title can stand proudly next to titles such as World of Goo for its puzzle prowess and community focus, in my opinion it is the first must have title of 2009 and an easy recommendation for all puzzle minded gamers.
Andy Griffiths
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4 Comments 
- Great review Andy
