Super Collapse 3

Never getting enough of the puzzle genre, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get my gritty hands on Super Collapse 3. Having been a three-year spread since the last Super Collapse title was released (Super Collapse 2 on the GameBoy Advance), the series returns with the release of the third title. Does this puzzler deliver a unique experience or does it fall flat on its face with lack of originality?

The game centers on clearing stages through the method of matching colored objects together. Similar to the legendary Tetris franchise, Super Collapse 3 has players removing pieces off the screen as strategically as they can. Rather than having blocks falling from the top, they instead materialize from underneath the pieces already in place. The main objective is to prevent the blocks from reaching the top of the screen. Another major difference is that players aren’t able to rotate the block on the fly before they drop. In its place, players select sections already on the screen to eliminate which can alternatively clear the whole board if you plan ahead your moves. This, in a nutshell, is what makes up Super Collapse 3.

For the game modes, players will have the chance to adventure through a Quest mode that beckons for most of their time. Filled with various game types, players will have to work through classic games modes to a full-board puzzle. What’s the importance of Quest mode? Well, you can use it to unlock all the game types, so in the future you can play them through the quick play menu. Also, to assist players having troubles advancing through the game, the developers added in the ability to use power-ups that have certain attributes attached to them. From color bombs (removing all of that color off the screen) to power-ups that remove a whole row of blocks, these power-ups come in handy in tight situations. In total, it’ll take anywhere from five to eight hours to finish the Quest mode.

If that’s not enough, there are also a slew of other modes to help the longevity of the game. First off, there’s a Continuous mode that puts players through a gauntlet of matches. While fun at first, the Continuous mode does become a bore 20 or so minutes into it. After that, players can play in Relapse mode – a mode where you must watch both the top and bottom of the screen as blocks pile on. The goal is to make sure they never meet in the middle or else it will be game over. Continuing on, there’s the Slider mode included where the rows shift from side to side, thus changing the arrangements of blocks constantly. On top of that, there are a few other modes that increase the difficulty, but I have to add that in the end, all of them play out similarly.

(Editor's note: These are actually PC screenshots)

Looking at the control scheme, Super Collapse 3 makes good use of the touch screen. Whether by finger or stylus, the response of the game is superb and handles like it should. Unfortunately the multiplayer isn’t as intuitive as the control scheme. My biggest concern with the multiplayer is that it doesn’t allow for download play. Requiring two copies of the game, playing with your friends isn’t as welcoming as it could have been. Additionally, there’s no Wi-Fi support for online play to find competitive matches from across the world. What the multiplayer does allow for are versus matches or co-operative play.

Graphically, Super Collapse 3 isn’t in the upper echelon of puzzlers. Sure, the colors are appealing and bright, but the animations and effects are very unexciting. The presentation and menus are generic. If that wasn’t generic enough, the audio work is on par with the graphical presentations. It becomes repetitive within an hour of gameplay due to that the sound effects barely scratch the surface of making the game more interesting.

Gameplay: 7.4
Super Collapse 3 isn’t trying to break new ground or revolutionize the puzzle genre; it’s basically trying to deliver a sound experience and it does just that.

Graphics: 6.8
While never amazing, the graphics hold up particularly well for a puzzle title.

Sound: 6.7
The music is likable, but its appeal wears off rather quick.

Difficulty: Easy
Geared towards casual players, the learning curve isn’t as steep as many other puzzle titles.

Concept: 6.4
The developers tried to include a lot options to entice players, but all of them eerily felt too similar to the last.

Multiplayer: 4.9
With no inclusion of download play, my time spent with multiplayer was not remarkable by any standards. Having to go out and buy a second copy to play multiplayer isn’t something many people will wish to endure.

Overall: 6.7
For the price of $29.99, Super Collapse 3 is a decent game. Sure, I have encountered better puzzles as of late (Puzzle Quest), but Super Collapse 3 delivers enough satisfaction for the price of entry.