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Puzzle Game - Blocks and Bombs

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: October 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Frantix is a classic puzzle game involving a little guy, crystals to collect, blocks to push and goals to reach in the time specified.

First, the gameplay. I found this game REALLY really annoying at first. Your guy in essence moves on a "grid" and if he doesn't stop in the exact right space, he tends to die immediately. When he crashes or dies, he makes this really annoying noise. So you really have to be calm and relaxed to get through the first levels. It's not "Frantic" - it's "Frustrating".

Still, once you get used to repeatedly dying, then the game falls into a rhythm. You die a few times, looking around the map. You figure out where the water is, the lava, the quicksand, the enemies and so on. Then you try an attempt or two to get the timing down, and eventually you get all the crystals and the gate.

Each set of levels has its own look and feel. My favorite is the Japanese tatami-mat themed area, but there's also a desert, a medieval style castle, and so on. In each situation the aims are pretty much the same. Push blocks. Blow up enemies. Reach the goal. Rarely is time really an issue - if you go really quickly, you can get an extra bonus. So again it's not that it's "frantic" - it's just a puzzle to solve.

The sound is OK - as I mentioned, I really found some of the sounds quite annoying. I'd much rather just turn off the sound completely and play with my own stereo playing. For graphics, on one hand they are quite impressive for a handheld. The little flowers blow in the wind, there are little flying birds, the stained glass windows are lovely. On the other hand, there are many situations where you can't see what you're supposed to do, even when you spin the map. It's hard to tell what you can move and what you can't, where you can go. The design is lovely, but not always functional.

Another minor but annoying thing is that your characters are all teen boys. Surely they could have given you a female character to go box-pushing?

For me, the really shining part of this game is the movie that comes with it. It's a real animated short movie with a TON of funny scenes in it. Make sure that you watch it, from the main menu.

Recommended for puzzle fans, or rent it to see the movie at least!

Great puzzle game for the psp!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: January 07, 2006
Author: Amazon User

First off, Justin O'Brien- you're a complete retard. DEEE D DEEEEEEE =Þ. Why in the hell would you buy this in the first place? The case & discription clearly depicts this as a puzzle game! This guy bought this knowing he doesn't like puzzle games...that's like someone who is allergic to dairy eating a huge block of cheese & washing it down with a gallon of milk!!

If you're into puzzle games, I would highly recommend this one (coming from a gamer who has been playing since the old school nes...not from a douche bag who doesn't like a genre of game that they bought for God only knows why?!?).

It's very long & challenging & will put your brain into overdrive. If you get highly frustrated...this game is probably not for you.

Great value. A complete steal at $20!

Wonderful Experience

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: February 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

After getting burned by another PSP puzzle game (Smart Bomb) I was leery about buying another. Since this title was half the price I decided to take the plunge. I'm so glad I did. After playing awhile I found a familiarity with an old Atari game called Chip's Challenge. If there was an update to that game this would be it. Gameplay is very similar and very user friendly. No blood and guts here, just a simple way for the hero to die. You immediately get a screen asking if you want to restart the level and you can do it as many times as you like till you get it right. Also, if you turn the game off, later, when you go play again you are brought back to the point that you left off.
The challenge lies in getting gold crystals along with the regular ones. Gold crystals are necessary to unlock certain levels later on. You get them by completing a level on the first try or by playing a completed level over again in order to get a better time. Yes, you have a time limit with each level but they are not impossible and are generally reasonable. If you are a true puzzle fan you should give this game a try. It is definitely worth the money.

Good and challenging

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: August 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I love this game. I got this game as a gift and didn't realize how great it would be. The first couple of levels are easy to figure out but as you keep playing, the harder it gets. You definitely need a little patience to play this game. I've been stuck on this one level for awhile now and still have no clue how to get past it but I keep trying. New levels open up as you complete other levels. It makes you want to keep playing because each of the levels are unique and interesting. Also, there's a little movie that you can watch. I think it's very cute and funny. Anyway, if you like puzzle type games you'd love this one.

Awesome Puzzle Game!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 27, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game has been out for sometime but only now I get to experience it.. Always wanted to try out when it first came out but I waited till it is much more affordable and honestly I can say this is the best Puzzle game for PSP.. Period. Fun and challenging at times you'll crack your head trying to figure out how to succeed. Game play is fantastic.. not difficult to figure out what needs to be done... Once you completed your first puzzle.. you'll want to succeed the 2nd and 3rd and so forth.. very addictive as the puzzles are easily sloved. But you still need to crack your head!! Beautiful environment full with colors.... It is a sight not to be missed. Great feel and great gameplay...Overall a must have in your collection!!!

For People Who Enjoy Puzzle Games

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is a game that takes a bit of thinking to enjoy it. So if you are looking for a plot or shoot'em up game, dont' buy this. If you want a clever, fast-action puzzle game...you should be able to get this one used for cheap and enjoy every penny of it. I paid about 7 bucks used and I enjoy puzzle games. It has a ton of short puzzles set in a 3D world...so not only are the graphics nice, but its the type of game you can play for a short period of time (car ride, in bed, etc) and put down without having to remember what you had to do next. There are enough puzzles to keep you going for awhile. Someone said that the name Frantix is not fitting, however, I would disagree. The makers allowed several levels of success...1) simply solving the puzzle in the allotted time to move on...1) Solving the puzzle faster than normal to get an extra gem towards things later...3) It saves the fastest time for each puzzle/level so you can try and beat your best score. So, there is some re-play value here, although I can't imagine replaying levels more than a few times after beating them. All in all, this is a fun little game and perfect for short sessions.

Decent game, good price, only lasts for a couple days.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: February 17, 2007
Author: Amazon User

My 10 year old son loved it- for all of the 2 days it took him to solve it completely. And yes, he did eat and sleep and go to school on those days.

So, for the price, it's probably worth it (and they liked the little cartoon that was included with the game). But don't get this expecting to have years of enjoyment out of it...

this is really really bad and boring

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 17
Date: December 24, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I am Telling you, this game suks. I'm not really into puzzles which is why i think this game is just plain boring. all you do is push blocks around and collect crystals and stuff. I played the first level and was bored. Do not Buy!!!!!!!!!!

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