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System:
PlayStation
Genre:
Puzzle
Publisher:
Sony
Developer:
Shift
Players:
1-5
Release date/year:
06/18/1998
Other systems:
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- Devil Dice
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1998 Shift - Sony - PSX
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Introduction
Devil Dice is perhaps the puzzle game of 1998, and one of the best ever. I first played this game over at my friend’s house. At first I was very confused and didn’t know how to play it. I also found it quite boring. But then, as him and I got into it, I became obsessed. Eventually he wanted to use the computer, so I stayed there playing this game on 1 player mode. I kept playing it almost all night until my eyes hurt and I got jammed up. The next day I left. When I got home I told my mom that the next game I wanted to get was this one. She knew I hadn’t gotten a game in a long time so she didn’t shoot it down. About a few months later I got it. I played it for hours and hours on all of the modes that there were to play. Eventually I think my mom regretted buying it for me because it kept me up very late and it bothered her that I was playing so much. But I kept playing anyway. Many others did too. This was a very successful game. It was the puzzle game of 1998 and won rave reviews from almost every gaming resource. Now, your favorite gaming resource, seifer psx, will tell you what he thinks.
- {~~Main Scores~~}
Gameplay
The gameplay in this game is very fun and original. It is a puzzle game, and as such it is very puzzling, and very difficult. First, I will discuss the basic objective. What you are is a little red devil, and you are standing on top of dice. When you walk toward the end of the dice it will roll over one. Now, what you do is roll together the dice of the same number. Then, when you do that, they will start to fade into the ground. If you roll another dice of the same number next to sinking dice, that will fall also, you can do that over and over until the sinking dice have disappeared. Also, when you roll the ones together, all of the ones will disappear, if the are touched together or not. There are three different modes in Devil Dice, Single player, puzzle, and multiplayer.
First I will discuss the single player. In single player you are placed in a large arena and you are against three other computer devils. You have to get the most points by the end. Also, you can steal the other player’s points away when you roll another dice of the same colour onto one of their sinking sets. If you happen to fall off of your dice what you need to do is get onto a sinking dice and use it to jump back onto the giant slew of dice. Even though it is only the one single round, a very fun single player mode.
Next, I will discuss the puzzle mode. This is the mode that got me addicted. You are placed in a specially shaped room, with specially placed dice. You are expected to make all the dice disappear. It doesn’t sound hard, but there are different types of dice. Some types cant be rolled, only pushed, some only slide. Not to mention the shape of the room really makes it hard. As you progress through the 100 puzzle levels they become steadily harder. I only reached about 60 before getting horribly stumped and looking for FAQs on GameFAQs. A very fun and addictive mode.
Finally, there is the two player mode. In this you are placed in the same customizable arena as the single player mode. But this time you are only the two players. You have the same objective as single player mode as well. Also, you can choose to have two more computer players in there with you. It is basically a single player mode with another person. Still fun though.
- Graphics
The graphics are nothing to jump around about. They are pretty basic. There were some pretty good aspects to them. But for the most part they were secondary to the challenge and gameplay.
Character Designs weren’t much to talk about either. Due to the fact your person has no distinguishable face and is very small, there isn’t much detail or focus. I don’t think they were worried about this when designing the game. The characters are there, and that’s all you really need.
Background and objects were good but not great. The backgrounds pretty much consist of the floor, and the customizable designs on the floor. Above the floor is darkness, so that is it. Your only objects were the dice, and that’s it. The dice were pretty well done though. They used cubes, and they looked 3D. That’s pretty much all you could ask. After all, this game is all about the gameplay.
- Sound
The sound isn’t very special either. Just like the graphics it is the bare minimum and nothing more really. I shouldn’t complaint hough because an aspect like this isn’t a big thing in puzzle. But it can make the game better, in this it didn’t really.
Music is if I remember correctly, bad. It is obviously not very memorable, because I don’t remember much about it. All I do remember is that it is very boring, and annoying. It does set a good thinking mood though, which is needed in this game, because you need to concentrate.
Sound effects are basically the same and mot many. Your main, and only sound effect is the sound the dice make. This ranges from the clap of them rolling over, to the swish of a sliding one, to the VWEHHH of a sinking dice set. Nothing special, but it gets the job done.
- Enjoyability
This game is very enjoyable. That despite the fact the sound and graphics are mediocre at best. Why you say? Because the gameplay is all you need. This is a strategizing, thinking game, and the other parts aren’t necessary. Very enjoyable, for me anyway.
- BREAKDOWN
Gameplay: 10
Graphics: 7
Sound: 6
Enjoyability: 9
- {~~Other Important Scores~~}
Replay Value: Mediocre
The replay value is mediocre. For the puzzle mode anyway. Once you complete all 100 stages you wont be doing them again, you will know how. Of course you can play the single and two player mode, and they are fun. That is what keeps the replay value at mediocre and not lower.
- Challenge: Very Hard
The single player and multiplayer modes are hard, but not very hard. Once you get into the puzzle mode, then the challenge goes way up. Some of the puzzle rounds can be so hard, you will go insane. It made me insane, and as you may know, I never recovered from it.
- Learning Curve: 1 day
This game will take you 1 day to learn. I say this because there is much to be learned before you can handle even the computer players. That because of the challenge. 1 day, and you will be able to play and have a chance. More time to do well. And even more time to beat puzzle.
- Buy or Rent: Buy
You will want to buy this one I think. You may ant to rent it first, as some slower people may not do well. But overall, this is worth a buy, it will be loads of fun and last you a long time.
Overall, a very fun puzzle game. A definite hit. It will give you hours of enjoyment. Also, in the case of the puzzle, some frustration, but once you do get it, you will wonder how you missed it. Great game, two thumbs up.
8/10
//Seifer psx
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