Innovative. That's probably the best word we could use to describe Crush. Being able to move from 2D to 3D and back has been explored in many games by many developers, but few can boast what the guys at Zoe Mode have accomplished. They even upped the ante by allowing players to switch views on six axes at any time during the game. Crush is without a doubt one of the best games on the PSP to date. It marries innovative gameplay with a storyline that's interesting, innovative and compelling

The game is about a kid named Danny, who was hospitalized for his insomnia. Danny's is not your average Joe and has a lot of emotional baggage that begins manifesting in his subconscious. He seeks help from Dr. Reubens, whom other professionals in the field of psychology criticize for being a bit too... eccentric.

Dr. Reubens "suggests" a treatment that uses a special machine he created: C.R.U.S.H (Cognitive Regression Utilizing pSychiatric Heuristics). The therapy has Danny undergoing hypnosis while hooked up to said machine. It should allow him to cut through his neuroses and come to terms with the secrets he has hidden in his psyche. At least in theory...

Senior Producer Paul Mottram at Zoe Mode was nice enough to let us pick at his brain regarding Crush. He discussed their choice to release it on the PSP, the current lack of multiplayer options, and even the possibility of user created levels. Those who have been enamored by the game will also want to read about the possibility of a sequel to the game (which is referred to multiple times in the interview).

The full interview can be found after the jump!

Developer Zoe Mode yesterday hinted that they're considering bringing video game Crush to other platforms. Currently, the adventures of "Danny the troubled insomniac" is exclusive to the PlayStation Portable owners. Zoe Mode's Paul Mottram said that to have versions for Wii, DS, and PlayStation 2 is not impossible.

Some of Mottram's exact words include "It's something we'd all love to do since there are so many features we didn't get the opportunity to put into this version". However, Crush's publisher Sega refused to comment on the matter. Gaming site Eurogamer tried to contact Sega for an official statement but was unable to get a response.

If you ask me, the DS and PS2 version is highly feasible provided that Zoe Mode is really serious about it. The interesting part here is whether Nintendo will allow it on the Wii. The thing with Crush is that it has this 3D to 2D gig going on for it but Super Paper Mario already has that.

Will Nintendo let its most-famed plumber befriend a troubled insomniac?

We know video game title Crush has been available for a couple of weeks now but this recent interview with Zoe Mode Senior Producer Paul Mottram is really interesting as it gives some insights regarding the game and possible future versions.

According to Mottram, Zoe Mode really wanted Crush to become a handheld game because of its very nature. In this game, the objective is for players to help Danny get rid of his sleeping disorders and rather troubling past by solving various puzzles. The main thing about this title is that it allows players to change the 3D world into a 2D one and vice versa to accomplish the goals.

When asked about their plans on porting Crush to other platforms, Mottram answered,

There is no reason why it couldn't be transferred to multiple different platforms especially the Wii, DS, and PS2 and this is something we are thinking about. If we do move Crush onto new platforms, we'd want to ensure that each version fully utilizes the strengths of the platform and alternate controls and mechanics it can offer.

The senior producer also mentioned that there are actually a lot of features they originally planned to include but weren't able to because of time constraints. One such example he gave was something to do with a "blue hedgehog" that will allow players create their own levels.

Paul Mottram then shared that given Crush's success even this early, Zoe Mode is already considering a sequel to the title. He explained,

It's something we'd all love to do since there are so many features we didn't get the opportunity to put into this version. The feedback from players has been phenomenal, and we really believe that we have so much more crushing features and puzzles to explore.

 

If you haven't had any sleep in days and carry emotional baggage heavier than what Atlas has on his shoulders, you are not alone. Meet Dan. He's the poor guy in Sega's new game Crush, who's turned to hypnosis to solve his woes. The guys at PocketGamer UK were able to pin down Kuju Brighton's senior producer Paul Mottram for an interview about the new game.

The game's concept of switching from 2D to 3D gameplay is something interesting and quite original. They had quite a time setting down the "rule set" for the game but eventually got it. How? LEGO. They sat down with the building blocks to figure out how the game would work. The game's development for the PSP was spawned for two reasons: relatively low development costs and the gameplay is more suitable for a portable.

The environment was given a surreal touch (since Dan's in a state of hypnosis) and surrealists Tim Burton, Max Ernst, and Escher among others were the influences for the unique style. Players would be able to "crush" the 3D game world to 2D, and vice versa. According to Mottram, there would be no limit to the number of times players can crush the world. The only limits would be the environment itself. You wouldn't want to be crushed yourself. There are additional game modes that have limits in "crushing"
 to challenge players.

There were a number of hurdles development-wise as making a rule set for both 2D and 3D is no easy feat. The camera system also proved to be a headache. But they're happy with development so far, and we can expect some more info on this puzzle game next month.