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Reviewed by Jimmy | 11.22.06

Intro
From the makers of Lumines comes Every Extend Extra, another hypnotic puzzle game that hopes to get you hooked with its fast paced puzzle gameplay. Merge the classic feeling of asteroids with moving puzzles and the ambiance of Lumines you'll get Q? Entrainment latest entry into the portable puzzle market. Every Extend Extra is unique and one of a kind.

Game
Every Extend Extra, or Triple E, is a unique game from the crew over at Q? Entertainment in Japan. Q? Entertainment already had one release this year for the Xbox 360 in the form of co-developing Ninety-Nine Nights. From puzzles to action hack n' slash games is quite the difference, but one thing is relevant between all of Q Entertainments games and that is a strong build of ambience. Every Extend Extra has ambience and personality flaring through each shot down diamond, now the gameplay just has to catch up with the glitter of Every Extend Extra.

The goal in Every Extend Extra is to evade enemies while waiting to detonate explosive attacks which rack up points and extend your game time. At first glance everything will seem vary confusing, but once you figure out the exploding part you'll be fine. For rules, it's kept basic and mainly revolves around gaining multi hit chain reactions. The main concern is to always have time which is gained best gained by racking up big chain combos. Get killed, and you will loose a few seconds. Considering the enemies are moving quickly along with the time factor in triple E, be prepared for some narrow moments of escape with pulse pumping action.

The controls are very basic and easy to understand, like Lumines and other puzzle games, it's about complex gaming and simple controls. Any button will detonate your orbiting star icon and unleash a charged explosion. The [L] and [R] buttons activates a core break which shifts the explosion away from your icon. What's left is only to move your icon and that is done by the D-Pad, or analog stick, no tricks, no complex combos, just turn on and go.

Being successful in Every Extend Extra isn't easy; it's half a game of reflex and skill and the other timing and patience. If you don't have one half of those traits, I would recommend staying away from Every Extend Extra. I wouldn't want to see your PSP go flying across the room from frustration. Every Extend Extra can be frustrating and even the first boss gave me some heartache, but I survived and then I started to get into the groove.

In triple E we have a few different game modes, the most popular being the arcade mode which is made up of seven levels along with some hidden levels. You can also visit stages you've unlocked in the Caravan mode to compete for high scores. Then you have the Boss Attack mode which pits you again the games bizarre bosses which are no walk in the park. We are then left with multiplayer that supports up to six players over wireless ad hoc. Last is the original game of Every Extend which was the first build of this PSP rendition.

GFX/SND
Graphically you won't be overly impressed with Every Extend Extra, this is because Every Extend Extra is stripped down to the basics for a very minimalistic look and use of graphics. Even though the graphics are really just basic shapes and some extra surprises thrown in, it all works. This game really doesn't need mind blowing graphics to be enjoyable. What Q? Managed to pull off is good enough and whatever is lacking in sprites is made up for in the wide range of colours and creativity.

The sound is more of a kicker which would be expected coming from the Lumines team. Lumines is all about the beat and Every Extend Extra follows through with the hypnotic trance beats that could come from any euro trance house. For a minute I though Tiesto had hit my PSP. Overall, Extend performs on an exceptable level that keeps us glued to the actual game rather than pretty pixels.

Lowdown
Like I mentioned a few times in this review, Every Extend Extra is a unique action puzzle game. Triple E will mostly like appeal to gamers who like their games a little on the frantic side. I enjoyed Every Extend Extra in short bursts, but in the long run this wouldn't make it into the PSP rotation. Although the Extend is a enjoyable game I can't recommend it to every gamer and I have to stamp a strong, try before you buy on this review. I feel as Every Extend Extra will be a very picky game with gamers on each end of love/hate side of the PSP. Check it out and see if Every Extend Extra, extends to you.

Good Unique Gameplay, Great Atmosphere, Challenging
BadBasic Graphics, Might be too hard for the average gamer

Gameplay: 6, Graphics/Sound: 5.5, Innovation: 7, Mojo: 6. Final: 6 / 10

  • Numerous levels of puzzle shooting challenges
  • Cutting-edge music
  • A new type of shooting game without actually shooting
  • Driving in barrage of sound and light
  • An exuberating blend of visuals, sound and gameplay



Every Extend Extra
 
Publisher
BVG Games
 
Developer
Q? Entertainment
 
Genre
Puzzle Shooter
 
Released
Nov 2006

Platform
PSP
 
ESRB
Everyone