Future Classic
Modern games you’ll still be playing in years to come
Echochrome is one of the most distinctive puzzle games of all time, and a perfect example of the unique and beautiful small-scale games which so happily punctuated the prolific output of Sony’s now-defunct Japan Studio
Words by James Tocchio
Info
» System: PSP, PS3, (PS4, PS5)
» Year: 2008 (2022)
» Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
» Developer: Game Yarouze / Japan Studio
» Key People: Jun Fujiki, Tatsuya Suzuki, Satoru Imamura, Kashin Hodotsuka, Hideki Sakamoto
» [PSP] The Law Of Existence. Note the obstacle, a break in the horizontal walkway which your mannequin cannot cross.
Go Deeper
» Echochrome’s composer Hideki Sakamoto considered naming the music tracks after philosophical terms, but later decided to use prime numbers to avoid colouring the perception of the listener.
» The most comprehensive versions to own are the PSP’s physical UMD releases from Japan and Europe, which feature the greatest number of puzzles and game modes.
» [PSP] Notice that the obstacle disappears when hidden behind the pillar, allowing your mannequin to cross freely.
ECHOCHROME
THE BACKGROUND
Beginning in 1995, Sony hosted an annual amateur game development program called Game Yarouze! through which participants could submit game designs to be judged by a panel of Sony reps and game journalists. Participants whose ideas were deemed to have potential received a contract with Sony, resources, and a team of developers to cultivate their concept into a complete and publishable game.