When I first played PixelJunk Eden, I was... a little bored. The music was mesmerizing, but for some reason, there's wasn't a sharp hook to drag me in. I mean essentially, all you do is swing your grimp (the spider-like character) around the level, collect pollen to grow plants and reach higher tiers in the level, and collect the garden spectra - very simple and intuitive design.
But then, I brought two other friends along. It's important to note that PJE is a three-person co-op platformer (which is so weird right?). We all got together, turned up the volume and began playing the game. We started around 9 PM or so and suddenly, we heard birds singing outside. Yeah, where did the time go? Not sure. All I know is that Eden creates some fucked up hypnotic aura. Every time we play the game, hours just fly by.
All of the music and much of the game is designed by the artist Baiyon. Eden's soundtrack is essentially one booty-bouncing, HOUSE party. The music is so very hypnotic and that's a selling point in itself. Then there are the visuals. Eden is composed of very simple, mono-color, vector graphics. As you attain spectra throughout the level, the whole color theme of the level will transition to a new palette. This supports the very hypnotic qualities and pretty much makes Eden an acid trip. Everything about the level, including your character and the enemies (which are bastards), revolve around the color palette.
As for level design, Eden has some complex platform creations. For example, one level contains this labyrinth cave that has multiple switches located all over it. Touching a switch allows a certain area to open but consequently, closes another. In the center, a spectra rests giving you the finger and laughing about how vapid you are. We were amazed how difficult it was with three people, then we were very perplexed when we tried to fathom it with just one. Another level that just blew our minds was the gravity level, which as obvious as it sounds, contains gravity. Only catch is, the gravity orientation changes in one minute or so intervals. Crazy! Each garden has absurd elements like these and uses them in clever ways. Eden Encore takes all these concepts introduced in Eden to a new level. I'm talking shit that exploded my brain. Side note, you'll have to play each garden 5 times to fully complete it. Each time you get a new spectra, you quit the level and therefore, the next time you play, you have to obtain all the previous spectra and then the new one. Each garden has 5 spectra - essentially increasing the playtime of the game, which is fine because it's fun.
Finally, controls. Simple. They're easy. A grimp is pretty much a very cute version of Spider Man. You have silk that ejects from your ass, but very graciously, and you swing with it. "X" is to jump and "R1" is to retract the silk. You only have a limited amount of time to swing before your thread breaks, which gives the game some challenge. There are two control schemes to suite two player styles: eager-ass bitch, or patient, skillful padawan. You essentially swing around and collect pollen to grow plants higher in order to reach the spectra.
I purchased Eden mainly because I need all the PixelJunk games, but seriously, it's amazing. It's also very under-appreciated and I know this because I'm ranked 12th globally, which is fucked up because I should never rank that high in any video game. This should also serve as an incentive to anyone who wants to be in the world's top 10/20 of anything. In all, Eden is one crazy House party.
P.S. there's a special feature unlocked at the end of Eden Encore that ruptured one of my aortic valves, meaning, it's awesome.
Posted by Dylan Cuthbert on Aug 31, 2015 // President and Executive Producer, Q-Games Ltd.:
If you know anything about Q-Games, you know that we made a name for ourselves during the PlayStation 3 era with our acclaimed PixelJunk series. Debuting way back in 2007, we were one of the first indies to cut our teeth on the newly released console. Our idea for the series was simple: rework old school gaming concepts in beautiful high-definition visuals, while keeping the easy to learn, difficult to master gameplay that made us fall in love with games in the first place.
indiePub has published its weekly update of new and notable indie games on the Playstation Store Indie Games Channel.
Best bets this week include: Pixel Junk Eden, where you explore a gorgeous world; Do Not Fall, an intense action/platformer; Farming Simulator, where you must grow and maintain crops; Total Recoil, a fun, explosive arcade shooter; Kung Fu Rabbit, where you must save your disciples with your combat prowess, and Men’s Room Mayhem, where you become the janitor of a men’s room.
PSU takes a look at game developers that brought us great games this console generation, but didn't get the attention they deserved.
I want it bad too. I played the ps3 version first then the psp 2nd. The psp version is better with with more content. I love that game.
Good review.Makes me want to go back and play it again.Haven't touched it in almost a year tho.The music really is the best part of it, bought the soundtrack and everything.
Really never knew there was co-op.Might just have to get back into this..
Oh my gosh!! You need to get your two best friends and play this game! So much fun because you can accidentally kill each other.
Good review!
This game is definitely in my Top 5 favorite PSN games. Challenging, beautiful, unique, and fun!
This game is underrated, so I was surprised to see someone even recognize the game.