Crazy Machines 2
Encyclopedia
Crazy Machines 2 is a Puzzle video game developed by Fakt Software for the Microsoft Windows
platform. It is available in retail form and on Steam for download.
-esque machine. The 3D game relies heavily on in-game physics and utilises NVidia
PhysX
. For any given puzzle, the player is provided with a collection of items e.g. ramps
, springs
, steam engine
s, electrical devices, gear
s, belts
, and a large selection of other mechanical devices for converting and directing raw energy into useful motion. On the completion of each puzzle the player is rewarded by points and a gold, silver, or bronze lug nut
. Not only does the created machine have to perform the assigned primary task, but might also complete one or more of the optional secondary tasks thus earning more points.
were impressed by the number of puzzles saying "Now the game has like 200 puzzles to complete, which is an an astonishing number" and that the game was "Easy to use, forward thinking and inventive" being "really a delight to play". IGN
were less keen, rating the game "Passable" and saying "the core gameplay mechanics are solid" but "Crazy Machines 2 is at times poorly constructed".
Game Chronicles was very positive scoring the game 93% and saying "Puzzle games just do not get any better than this" and described the game "Crazy Machines 2 is exactly like the game Mouse Trap
only on your computer and let loose with such imagination and inventive creation as you could possibly imagine."
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
platform. It is available in retail form and on Steam for download.
Gameplay
The goal in Crazy Machines 2 is to solve a seemingly simple problem (cook a hot dog, pop a balloon) by constructing a Heath Robinson / Rube GoldbergRube Goldberg
Reuben Garrett Lucius Goldberg was an American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer and inventor.He is best known for a series of popular cartoons depicting complex gadgets that perform simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways. These devices, now known as Rube Goldberg machines, are similar to...
-esque machine. The 3D game relies heavily on in-game physics and utilises NVidia
NVIDIA
Nvidia is an American global technology company based in Santa Clara, California. Nvidia is best known for its graphics processors . Nvidia and chief rival AMD Graphics Techonologies have dominated the high performance GPU market, pushing other manufacturers to smaller, niche roles...
PhysX
PhysX
PhysX is a proprietary realtime physics engine middleware SDK developed by Ageia with the purchase of ETH Zurich spin-off NovodeX in 2004...
. For any given puzzle, the player is provided with a collection of items e.g. ramps
Inclined plane
The inclined plane is one of the original six simple machines; as the name suggests, it is a flat surface whose endpoints are at different heights. By moving an object up an inclined plane rather than completely vertical, the amount of force required is reduced, at the expense of increasing the...
, springs
Spring (device)
A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are usually made out of spring steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication...
, steam engine
Steam engine
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...
s, electrical devices, gear
Gear
A gear is a rotating machine part having cut teeth, or cogs, which mesh with another toothed part in order to transmit torque. Two or more gears working in tandem are called a transmission and can produce a mechanical advantage through a gear ratio and thus may be considered a simple machine....
s, belts
Belt (mechanical)
A belt is a loop of flexible material used to link two or more rotating shafts mechanically. Belts may be used as a source of motion, to transmit power efficiently, or to track relative movement. Belts are looped over pulleys. In a two pulley system, the belt can either drive the pulleys in the...
, and a large selection of other mechanical devices for converting and directing raw energy into useful motion. On the completion of each puzzle the player is rewarded by points and a gold, silver, or bronze lug nut
Lug nut
A lug nut is a fastener, specifically a nut, used to secure a wheel on a vehicle. Typically, lug nuts are found on automobiles, trucks , and other large vehicles utilizing rubber tires.-Design:...
. Not only does the created machine have to perform the assigned primary task, but might also complete one or more of the optional secondary tasks thus earning more points.
Reception
The reception of Crazy Machines 2 was generally favourable. GameZoneGameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
were impressed by the number of puzzles saying "Now the game has like 200 puzzles to complete, which is an an astonishing number" and that the game was "Easy to use, forward thinking and inventive" being "really a delight to play". IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
were less keen, rating the game "Passable" and saying "the core gameplay mechanics are solid" but "Crazy Machines 2 is at times poorly constructed".
Game Chronicles was very positive scoring the game 93% and saying "Puzzle games just do not get any better than this" and described the game "Crazy Machines 2 is exactly like the game Mouse Trap
Mouse Trap (board game)
Mouse Trap is a board game first published by Ideal in 1963 for two or more players. Over the course of the game, players at first cooperate to build a working Rube Goldberg-like mouse trap...
only on your computer and let loose with such imagination and inventive creation as you could possibly imagine."