Crazy Machines 2
- June 20, 2008
- Fakt Software
Get on Steam"Crazy Machines 2" is a physics-based puzzle game that challenges players to build wacky Rube Goldberg-inspired machines. With over 150 elements and 200 levels, players can craft complex contraptions and complete puzzles in various locations, from bustling bazaars to outer space. Online game modes and a community forum allow for additional challenges and machine sharing.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere, reminiscent of classic puzzle games like The Incredible Machine.
- It features a wide variety of experiments and mechanisms, allowing for creativity and imagination in puzzle-solving.
- Despite some technical issues, many players find the game enjoyable and challenging, providing hours of fun with its puzzles and level editor.
- The game has significant compatibility issues with modern hardware, often requiring specific versions of PhysX drivers to function properly.
- Numerous puzzles are reported to be unsolvable due to bugs in the physics engine, leading to frustration among players.
- The developers have not adequately addressed these technical problems, leaving many players disappointed with the game's current state.
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are noted for their high-budget feel and effective use of the PhysX engine, showcasing modern visuals and complex physics interactions. However, compatibility issues with various graphics cards and drivers can hinder performance, leading to frustration for players. Additionally, the visual design can be cluttered and confusing, making it difficult to grasp the puzzle mechanics at first glance.
“It was one of the early adopters of the Ageia (later Nvidia's) PhysX engine and managed to pull the 3D graphics quite nicely.”
“It has a much more 'high-budget' feel to it than the previous title, sporting modern shiny graphics, support of more complex physics (like, ropes can be hanged without being connected to anything, useful for just pushing objects), even 15 themes, with their own decoration and music.”
“The graphics are visually impressive and contribute significantly to the overall immersive experience of the game.”
“I'm sure it's a great game if and when it works, but apparently its use of PhysX is strongly dependent on graphics card, graphics drivers, and even what installation of MS Visual Studio is installed... so more likely than not, your setup is actually incompatible with the puzzle solutions.”
“Of course you could be rolling back to the 'correct' version of PhysX, but whoever designs a game to only run correctly on one version of a graphics driver that is being constantly updated has a severe lack of foresight.”
“On the bad side, it's hard to understand the whole puzzle system at first glance; the new graphics/style are quite messy, also having useless decorations mixed in.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Gameplay in Crazy Machines 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment in the transition to 3D, which they feel detracts from the core mechanics and puzzle potential established in the original Incredible Machine. While the game introduces advanced mechanics, users believe these do not enhance the experience as much as expected, and some have noted issues with the physics, suggesting that the 3D environment can be distracting. Overall, the gameplay lacks the open-ended creativity and thoughtfulness of its predecessor.
“All the same crazy things can be done in this game, but sometimes I feel like the physics are a little off and the 3D is completely unnecessary and actually distracts from the gameplay.”
“I don't feel like these new mechanics have as much potential for interesting puzzles or are as open-ended or well thought out as some of the things in the original Incredible Machine game.”
“All in all, I'm disappointed in Crazy Machines 2 as a follow-up to The Incredible Machine because I think moving to 3D put a lot of the basic mechanics a step back, even while it added more advanced mechanics.”
“Sometimes I feel like the physics are a little off, and the 3D is completely unnecessary and actually distracts from the gameplay.”
“Crazy Machines has a lot of the same mechanics as The Incredible Machine, which is why I bought it.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game currently faces significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and glitches rendering certain levels unsolvable due to a malfunctioning physics engine. While players can still attempt to progress through levels despite these problems, the overall experience is described as a "buggy mess," leading to a generally negative perception of stability. An update addressing these issues could potentially improve reviews.
“The game nowadays suffers from numerous bugs and glitches (i.e. aqua level 1-2, shop level 1-1 are not solvable due to the physics engine not working properly).”
“I highly doubt it, but should there be an update for this software that will fix the issues and glitches, I would change the review to positive for sure.”
“Buggy mess.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as "crazy funny," with a charmingly quirky professor narrating puzzle instructions, adding a lighthearted touch rather than being intrusive. Players find joy in completing Rube Goldberg machines, which provide both practical challenges and hilarious moments, contributing to an overall entertaining experience.
“It's crazy funny! :-)”
“The puzzle instructions are narrated by a funny professor with an overgrown mustache, which is a refreshing change from the annoying, repetitive comments in the original game.”
“Completing Rube Goldberg machines leads to excellent, practical, and hilarious good times.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is noted for its engaging missions, though some players find certain objectives, like achieving a specific order in tasks, frustratingly difficult, leading to mission failures. Overall, the narrative remains compelling and well-executed despite these challenges.
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its high-budget feel, featuring 15 distinct themes that enhance the overall experience with unique decorations and soundtracks. While some tracks are described as stereotypical, there are standout pieces, such as a Caribbean theme reminiscent of the classic "Monkey Island."
“It has a much more 'high-budget' feel to it than the previous title, sporting modern shiny graphics, support for more complex physics (like ropes that can hang without being connected to anything, useful for just pushing objects), and even 15 themes, each with their own decoration and music.”
“The soundtrack features some nice pieces, like a Caribbean theme that sounds slightly reminiscent of something from Monkey Island.”
“The soundtrack is a bit too much of a 'stereotypical local' vibe, but it does have some nice pieces, like the Caribbean theme that sounds slightly reminiscent of something from Monkey Island.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during longer play sessions.”
“While the game has a high-budget feel, the music doesn't quite match that quality, often feeling generic and uninspired.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's strong replayability, noting the extensive playtime offered by downloadable content (DLC) and the ability to create custom levels for others, enhancing the overall experience.
“Great game, lots of playtime and replay value with the DLCs and custom levels you can create for others.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to cumbersome controls that detract from the overall experience.
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find the controls to be tedious, which adds to the frustration of grinding.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for relying heavily on low-quality DLC that feels like a cash grab, failing to address significant existing issues within the game.
“The new DLC feels like a cash grab, featuring only low-quality puzzles and just 'nice' assets, while the game continues to suffer from significant issues that remain unaddressed.”
“The monetization strategy is frustrating, as it prioritizes profit over player experience, with constant DLC releases that don't resolve the game's existing problems.”
“It's disappointing to see so many paid expansions that add little value, especially when the core game still has major flaws that need fixing.”
