PSN Review – Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1
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Playing with friends in the game is not a necessity, but it is definitely recommended, as the experience of competing with another, or sometimes helping to complete a puzzle, is very enjoyable. Relentless Software’s experience with creating fun group experiences in Buzz! shines though in Blue Toad, as all four players can have a great time, even when watching someone else solve one of the game’s conundrums. This ‘family fun’ style play is what really makes the game so pleasurable, helping create the immersive feeling of a family board game that so many games strive for.
The entertainment gained from the puzzle solving can actually cause you to forget that you’re meant to be solving a crime, causing some people at the end to realise that they have no idea who the killer is when faced with choosing one of four suspects. However, the game does leave clues for you, and the final choice of ‘whodunnit’ allows the real sleuths among you to pick out the criminal.
Unfortunately, once you have picked out the murderer, seen the final cutscene and compared your scores, you have pretty much finished the game. Due to its plot driven structure, the outcome is always the same, and the puzzles also remain unchanged, causing Blue Toad to lack much replayability. While some may wish to revisit puzzles to earn high scores or unlock trophies, and others may pretend not to have played the game just to beat unsuspecting relatives, the majority of gamers will probably never play the episode again. This means that for a little over an hour’s worth of gaming, you must pay £6.29 for an episode, or £9.99 for the two that are currently available. This may seem steep for a game, but in reality, it would be fairer to compare Blue Toad to a family movie, or a monthly TV show, as that’s how the title feels, and, with that in mind, the pricing does seem much more reasonable.
With the low replay value being the game’s biggest drawback, the title otherwise manages to be spot on with its aim to be a fun and entertaining title. While the game is only part one of six, it is perfectly enjoyable by itself, although will probably leave you wanting more. The humour, the mystery and the brain-bending puzzles all lend to making this a perfect virtual Christmas stocking filler for all the family.
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
Great fun, alone or with others Little replay value Humorous
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5 Responses to “PSN Review – Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1”
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December 22nd, 2009 at 5:59 PM
I see you don’t give the price in $$, so does that mean it isn’t out this week for the US??
Anyway, I think this game looks pretty solid. Too bad the outcome can’t change a little every time and from your saved games they could change the outcome in every episode to match…but that’s just wishful thinking.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:22 PM
I can’t wait for this series. I hope it makes it’s way to North America in the next couple of weeks.
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:22 PM
I’ve been interested in checking this out.
BTW it is supposed to be $9.99
December 30th, 2009 at 11:12 PM
This looks interesting for sure! And the price is reasonable aswell.
I have a quick unrelated question, Was there a PSN store update on December 29th?
My PS3 has gotten the “YLOD” for the 4th time now
and I’m waiting for a rebate check for the full $499.99 price tag 
I see extra games in my future, with the “slims” new “slimer” price point
January 5th, 2010 at 3:49 AM
@CMax420
How do I get in on that deal? Cause I’m soo soo very down.
But about this title I remember reading that it was only comin out on the Euro PSN. But it would be nice to see it have a US release date.