The Mystery of the Crystal Portal is a Playstation Mini that takes the find an object concept and throws substance behind it. Usually the path taken with a game like this revolves around the basic concept of finding objects and throwing together preschooler finger painting for the background graphics and calling it a day. Crystal Portal delivers such a complete package for a game in this genre with graphics, audio and even a plot.
The graphics are the main focus in this game and they are beautiful. All the scenes have an antique shop look to them with objects actually looking like what they are supposed to be and don't seem out of place. For the most part you'll need a few items to activate a bigger item, when you do something in the scene will change or be able to be changed.
This works well except when the game gives you no idea what the big items are supposed to be. You will guaranteed enter a level and be completely perplexed on what is the big item as you madly click around the screen. Once your finding the smaller items the game gets back on track easily.
The soundtrack feels like a quieter version of sound found in Professor Layton. The tunes evoke feelings of many classic puzzle games with its calm but mysterious arrangements in music. The sound effects are standard but pleasant, nothing makes the ears bleed.
There is also a narrative to The Mystery of the Crystal Portal and although it doesn't really enhance the experience it provides some reasoning to why your finding objects and travelling the world. This game won't light the world on fire but in the Playstation Mini department its one of the better options you can find for some calm searching.
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