by Matt Maerowitz

Created on: July 22, 2008   Last Updated: July 24, 2008

Crumb is a game where you explore an enchanted forest as one of six potential characters. The game is called Crumb because your character will navigate through stages to collect crumbs. Once all the crumbs of a particular level are collected, you will unlock the key to a door through which you may exit to reach the next level. To collect crumbs you will be required to avoid monsters, move rocks, build water bridges, and put out fires. Navigating the first few stages are incredibly easy, and often just require pushing a rock into the water to get to the other side; however, as you progress through your journey, the levels get a bit more complicated. Nonetheless, while there are over 50 beautifully designed levels, each level is pretty similar in its basic concepts.

Props have to go to the game designers because each character looks pretty cool in their own "small body, big head" kind of way. Unfortunately, it does not matter who you choose because aside from looks, the characters are exactly the same. This means that the adventure is the same no matter who you choose. So much for fun and unique adventures, right?

The game is colorful with its bright graphics and definitely one that even a young child can play with success. Avoiding creatures and basic navigation is extremely easy, which is why I would not recommend Crumb to older gamers.

This game really lost it with me because no serious battling takes place - no fighting monsters, no casting abilities...nothing. You simply move around to collect keys, crumbs, and event-triggering potions to navigate your way through the forest. So needless to say, I was very bored with this game. Moving around and pushing rocks can only be so fun. The game does tabulate the amount of moves you take before completing a level, but throughout the game I had a difficult time assessing the importance of these moves. There is no advantage to completing a level in fewer moves.

The music sounds calm and peaceful, which makes it appear that Crumb is geared towards a very young audience. If glamor had a sound, it would be the music. The music seems to fit the fairytale storyline about King and Queen who ruled on the edge of a forest. I definitely like the fact that different levels have different music as I noticed only as I got further into the game. Some of the more advanced levels have cool mysterious music which is definitely a nice change of pace from the light peaceful music.

Overall, Crumb merits a rating of 2/5. To get a higher rating from me, this game needs much more action. While I do believe the music and graphics are quite good, the game play is really lacking.

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