It's interesting to note the differences between echochrome's Japanese UMD release and the North American PSN-only release. The North American downloadable version lacks two of the three play modes found on the original Japanese UMD. The two modes that were cut are "pair" and "other," while "solo" is the only one found in the NA game. Pair requires players to take two pairs of alike-colored figures and make them tag one another, while other makes players hit echoes as done in solo, but while avoiding other moving figurines.Now, there's no reason to complain about the exclusion. The NA version only costs a fourth of the price (10 bucks compared to the Japanese UMD's $38) for one third the content, and you can see from the math that it's not a bad trade off. This makes us wonder, however, if that missing content will be brought over to North America via expansions on the PSN. If the game does well, then why not?
And by the way, this ugly box art you see here is from the European UMD version set to come out in June. God, it is ugly. Couldn't emphasize that enough. Gladly, that's one bonus us North Americans have -- not having to see this every time we want to play echochrome.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-05-2008 @ 5:42PM
Dr Haisook said...
Yeah, that's one ugly PSP game boxart! I prefer the Japanese boxart; so minimalistic and elegant. I think they went for this ugly design in an attempt to make it appeal to more people on the first glance. Kind of scam if you ask me.
Btw, the Japanese UMD version has 100 levels while the NA PSN version has around 54 levels if I'm not mistaken.
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5-05-2008 @ 5:54PM
Animagnum said...
Meh, the box art isn't too terrible, but it certainly isn't great. Looks like a pamphlet one would see in an orthodontist's office. "Sup, kids, thinkin' 'bout braces? Here are your options: Headgear be straight up pimpin'!"
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5-05-2008 @ 6:16PM
crazypenguin said...
i thought echochrome was an all black and white game...why is there color in the box art?
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5-06-2008 @ 4:28PM
Lars said...
I had the same thought. Though I do like the inclusion of a person of the female variety.
5-05-2008 @ 7:19PM
Jim Haynes said...
With respect to Dr Haisook about the 100 levels in the Japanese version, it would have been great if the NA version had a similar amount of levels. As I stated in another post, the 64 levels in the game were simply too little and did not provide enough play time. Way cool game though, for the 3 days or so it took to pass all the levels, hope they bring out more.
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5-06-2008 @ 1:19AM
Darklighter said...
So Europe and Japan both get an actual release of the game and since America does not we are supposed to make fun of the boxart out of jealousy. If this game was coming out here I would think about getting it but it does not appeal to me enough that I would import it from the UK.
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5-06-2008 @ 6:49AM
Kiltman67 said...
If you're right and the missing content will come later on the PSN would this be one of the first PSP games to get DLC?
Makes me wonder if perhaps the extra features will only appear as DLC for the PS3 version.
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5-06-2008 @ 6:58AM
FOXHOUND said...
It might be the font of the title, but I swear it reminds me of JUNO...
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5-06-2008 @ 8:56AM
Lee said...
Gosh dangit don't give them any ideas! I WANT a UMD to be released in North America, I can't USE the danged darned dumb PSN store! >:(
Please PLEASE Sony. North America UMD! PLEASE! I'm stuck with just the non-PSN Japanese demo that was briefly released, and it makes me sad!
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5-06-2008 @ 9:54AM
drdre74 said...
Yeah I got the JPN version. The pair mode is hard as hell.
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5-06-2008 @ 10:38AM
Dr Haisook said...
No, actually the pair mode is generally much easier than the single mode. The trick is bringing ALL the guys (via a hole for instance) into a closed area where they would be trapped and hit each other randomly. In the earlier levels of the game, I finished some of the pair ones in less than 5 second with that trick.
The 'other' mode is the most difficult one because there is a guy walking around who you shouldn't hit.
5-06-2008 @ 9:56AM
RyGy said...
This game is great, and very addicting.
http://spincookie.blogspot.com/2008/05/echochrome-review.html
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5-06-2008 @ 12:35PM
Alien said...
Well we get the UMD version in Europe :D
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5-06-2008 @ 4:17PM
Duffski said...
What a horrible box for the game! Are they trying to make it look like one of those 'brain trainer' games that (for some reason) seem to do so well on the DS..?
It's a shame that they didn't stick with the same box art as the Japanese release. If there wasn't a language barrier I would import that version.
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5-06-2008 @ 5:58PM
Dr Haisook said...
There isn't a language barrier! The menu and all vocal instructions are in clear English. There is some Japanese text though like "Saving" and the like. Also, the OK button is the circle button as in all Japanese games.