An innovative title with an interesting control scheme and a gimmick that doesn't get old.
The look of the game, though simplistic, is stylistically simplistic. What I mean is that though the main figure of the game is a mannequin, the actual design of the figure is quite well done. The edges of the objects are shown with thick broad outlines that disintegrate when travel from one object to another is possible. A steady stream of relaxing classical music compliments all of this. This music is no doubt place there to keep you from hurling your control into the screen in a fit of rage as you travel though your first couple of hours in the game.
The actual game is split between essentially three modes. Freeform, Canvas, and a Gallery game set. In Freeform, you are given a series of randomly selected level for you to complete. In the Gallery mode, you can choose level sets that are designated with a series of letters "A-G". Canvas is one of the more intriguing game modes because this is the area where players are able to create their own levels. Still, none of these options would matter if the gameplay elements weren't solid.
The mechanics of the game are simple enough; get to all of the black silhouettes on the screen and you win. The way the game has you go about doing that is somewhat mind-boggling at first. You are not in control of the figure at all. Instead, you have to alter the figure's path by moving the camera at opportune times so that it may get across a gap yet still be able to launch itself off of a jump pad, for example.
The game world is governed by what it calls the five laws. These essentially state that if you can't see an object or gap then it doesn't exist, if two objects look like they are connected then they are, and if an area appears to be below the character then it is. All of this laws come together to create the unique experience of Echochrome.
Despite the clearly outlined rule set of the game, these controls are quite hard to get used to. At first, you may find your character landing on a platform directly behind the intended landing area or you may find the figure merely right back where it was once launching off a jump pad or even falling through a hole. Don't fret too much though, it takes some time to get used to the game because of its drastically innovative gameplay. With time, the game will begin to feel more natural and thus easier as you progress through the steadily more difficult levels in the game.
The levels in the game are both varied and distinctly unique. Most of the maps are based off of "impossible structures" (basically objects which can't actually exist in our reality) yet there are other which are even made to form words. All of these levels have a good feel to them and there are a good amount of them for a game that only costs ten dollars. There are fifty-six in total if I am not mistaken and there are potentially an infinite amount of levels that can be created.
Level creation, though possible, is a little hard to do. You are given access to all of the objects located in the actual game (a starting point, echoes, holes, jump pads, cubes, and stairs). This is placed against the plain white background present in all levels of the game. The difficult part of it is trying to place your objects in the position you want them to be. This, like the rest of the game, takes some practice before the player is able to actually do much with it. Once you are actually able to create your level, you have the option of saving it and sharing it with your friends. This is not something I have tried yet so I am not able to truly comment about it, though I will talk about what I know to be true.
Levels are not compiled into a server where any player can search and find a level that interests them. Instead, the developers of Echochrome will select a few maps every now and then and integrate them into the free form mode of the game (basically a mode which presents you with a random series of maps). The pro to this is that players will not have to cipher through poorly-made maps to get to the gold at the bottom. The obvious con is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and limiting maps based on the views of a few individuals is certainly not going to ensure that the very best maps make it onto every ps3.
Despite the hard to learn control scheme and problems with social integration with the maps, the good values of the game shine through in the end. The game is a unique puzzle game that is best served in small doses. Any one with a PS3 and a desire to experience new and interesting game-play mechanics should check out this game. While it may not be the next "Portal" as far as innovation for its respective genre goes, EchoChrome has certainly left its mark on the video game industry.