In Crazy Machines Elements, a downloadable game for Xbox LIVE, you’re tasked with building Rube Goldberg-styled devices to perform a task. You’re given a set number of materials, anything from blocks, ropes, fuses, gears, trolleys, kettles, and other crazy tools. Then you must place them strategically and put the contraption in motion to achieve a goal. If this sounds anything like the classic PC game The Incredible Machine, that’s because it is. Except Crazy Machines Elements has physics-based 3-D graphics, more puzzles and materials, and console-friendly controls.

There are more than a hundred puzzles in the game. Each puzzle gives you a task like smash a vase, light fireworks, and other things. Some solutions are deceptively simple while others are more challenging. Sometimes you’ll even use tools for different actions other than their intended purpose! Wind and weather can also affect your machines, too. My favorite idea so far was putting a tea kettle and a heat source on a skateboard to propel it forward with steam.

As an extra challenge, each level has golden bolts that you can collect by running moving objects over them. Try to collect them all to boost your ranking on each level. Solve puzzles to unlock more for you to play. There is also a mode where you can create your own machines and puzzles. Then send them to friends via Xbox LIVE to challenge them.

The only main problem with the game is the lack of a hint system. While you can press a button to make the goals pop up at any time, there are no hints to give you clues to how to solve the puzzles. And there are some real stumpers! But if you love puzzle games, you’ll still love this physics-based brain buster. Plus it’s a nice change of pace from all the dark and gritty shooters flooding the Xbox 360 marketplace.

Kid Factor:

Reading skill is a must as all the instructions, menus, and goals are text only. Plus the puzzles get challenging pretty quickly, which may frustrate young gamers and less experienced players. While it’s best enjoyed by older kid gamers, even younger kids will have fun messing around making their own inventions. The game could almost be considered educational, too. If you’re looking for a family-friendly thinking game to download on Xbox 360 for your kids, you can’t go wrong with Crazy Machines Elements, which is rated E for Everyone.

Tags: Game Reviews