Frantix (PlayStation Portable, 2005)

If you're reminded of the word "frantic" when you see Frantix, then you already have a good idea as to what the game is about. In each of the game's 150 plus levels, you will have to frantically rush through the level to either collect gems in the level or beat the time limit, or even both at once! In addition to rounding up gems, you will have to dodge creatures and things whose sole mission is to get rid of you. If that doesn't sound hard enough, almost all the levels require you to solve a puzzle to complete the level.

Except for a handful of extremely hard time limited levels, this is the best puzzle game for the PSP. The graphics are great! Every level has a bright, cartoony feel. All the levels are in 3D which is a lot better than 2D, but sometimes you can't see very far ahead. Additionally, the music is fun and lively. The game play is simple and very easy to pick up -- just run and collect gems by passing over them. It's so easy to learn that you can be playing this game withing just a few minutes.

One thing I like about this game is that it really requires you to think outside of the box. At first glance, most of the puzzle levels seem impossible to solve. For instance, how can you get passed a locked gate? It looks impossible, but once you play the level another time or two, the answer becomes quite obvious. In fact, sometimes you can get a good laugh at how dumb you are for missing the solution to the puzzle! :-) The critical thinking aspect of the game is definitely its best feature. Another thing I like about this game is that most levels are fairly short and can be completed within 5-10 minutes or less (including re-plays in case you die or miss something or whatever).

One thing I dislike about this game is the time limits. Thankfully, most levels don't have too strict a time limit. But the levels that do have a strict time limit are almost impossible to beat. Now don't get me wrong. I really love a challenge like what is offered in the puzzle levels, but the hard to beat time limits on some levels are extremely frustrating! For example, in one level, you have to run in front of a rocket propelled bomb. If you are off by literally a tiny fraction of a second, you will be blown to pieces! In another level, you have just a few seconds to break out of a brick walled enclosure. Not only that, but you have to dodge killer robots! That one level took me over 50 tries to get because you (again no exaggeration) have to get a time within just a few hundredths of a second. These levels are downright horrible.

A fun bonus in this game is the included short animated movie "The Chubb Chubbs," an Academy Award winner. You can also play as Meeper, the hero of the movie within the movie themed levels.

Overall, this is an excellent game marred by some very annoying and frustrating levels. Despite that, it's still a lot of fun, and I recommend it to anyone who loves solving a good challenge!