The object of Echoshift is to move your man around a map opening up or closing gaps in the landscape to allow safe passage to reach a door on the other side of the map. This safe passage is created by pushing block-like buttons that are positioned around the maps, these are colour coded to coloured gates and bridges which once pushed either create or dissolve the corresponding object. As such you often find that your first character will get trapped in the quest for these switches, giving you a situation that would in any other game mean that you’re royally screwed and unable to complete the puzzle. But fear not, Echoshift is not like other puzzle games, because this is where the time aspect comes into play. Once the allotted time for the stage has been reached the game will automatically rewind time, Prince of Persia style, back to the start of the stage. I’m sure your thinking “Oh, god, I have to do that all over again and figure out my mistake”, well Echoshift has a little trick up its sleeve because during this next attempt at the stage you will not only have your original character, but also a new friend called an ’Echo’ who is also along for the ride. This Echo will repeat all your previous actions, thus allowing you to access new switches or the exit to the stage.

 

 

The game is split up into stages and these stages are tiered. Each tier adds more complexity to the puzzles and this in turn increases the difficulty. Each stage has three challenges to complete if you wish to do so. They unlock as you complete the previous one, the first challenge is a normal playthrough to complete the stage within the time limit. The second challenge is to not only complete the stage within the time limit but also collect a key that is hidden somewhere within that stage. Finally the last challenge is to use the R button to slow down or stop time for three seconds in each phase of the stage. The aim is to use this time power to beat the last time you set when completing the stage. While this challenge may seem simple it adds a new layer of complexity to the game as your character can only move around the map while time is stopped, you cannot operate any of the switches at all so you need to plan ahead when you are going to use the time ability to get the best results.

 

In earlier stages, the gameplay is simple and straightforward. All you need to do is move around the map and close gaps, but as the game processes there are obstacles for you to defeat which will cause you to lose time and make you plan more carefully. Indeed, one such obstacle in a stage was a block that changed into a creature which then follows your character around the map in attempt to kill him. The only way in which to stop this creature is to look at it, however you still need to get past the creature as well which certainly ramps up the tension and the difficulty of some of the latter stages.

 

For those who, like me, enjoyed the first game in the Echo series, you will no doubt jump at the chance to continue in the sequel to these strange puzzling adventures and it will be a welcome return. There is no doubt that this game is very much a logical puzzler, so for those who are a bit bored with the Sudoku that they do on the morning commute Echoshift will most certainly offer something new and exciting to your number addle brain.