Crushed in Time

Crushed in Time is a new adventure from developer Draw Me A Pixel exploring the metanarrative layer in game production.

This year, such a release was Crushed in Time, simultaneously reminiscent of classic humorous quests from the LucasArts era and attempting to bring something new to the genre. It's not without its typical quest flaws, but the unique, flexible gameplay and solid humor outweigh these few shortcomings—we can't wait to see what else these developers can come up with.

Crushed In Time is an original and delightfully absurd adventure that keeps its elastic puzzle concept fresh across the whole runtime, thanks to clever ideas, charming characters, strong voice acting, and a playful sense of humor. A few confusing puzzle moments and less comfortable gamepad controls hold it back slightly, but the creativity behind it easily stretches past those flaws.

Crushed In Time is delightfully the stretchiest point-and-click adventure game that I've played. Its fun concept is complemented by a vibrant, time-bending journey, but unclear puzzle solutions could dampen the enjoyment, and the plot might be too thin for story-focused gamers.

Crushed in Time is a fun puzzle game, with a fun story and great visuals. Many of the puzzles, built around the unique stretch-and-pull mechanic, are fun and cleverly designed, but that mechanic can start to feel gimmicky and lose its charm before too long. It’s unfortunate to say that the game just doesn’t quite live up to There is No Game, but it remains a fun puzzle game regardless.

This time, time travel, cleverly crafted puzzles, and the developers’ signature brand of humor take center stage. But can this spin-off, despite stepping away from the narrative formula that made Wrong Dimension so memorable, remain just as unpredictable and entertaining from beginning to end?

Crushed in Time is simply a very fun and funny game. Draw Me A Pixel manages to give a familiar genre a surprisingly fresh twist without losing sight of the essence of a good point-and-click adventure. The story is accessible, the humor works excellently, and the puzzles constantly keep your brain working. Moreover, with a playtime of about six to seven hours, the adventure is exactly the right length. The elastic gameplay is fully utilized without losing its charm along the way. Despite a few technical glitches, this is highly recommended for anyone in the mood for an old-fashioned, yet simultaneously fresh, point-and-click adventure.

Crushed In Time manages to breathe new life into the graphic adventure genre with a story rich in mystery and populated by characters that make it full of humour and stylistically appealing. The gameplay mechanics are simple but, thanks to the ‘pull-and-push’ system, they add variety to the gaming experience. The presence of countless puzzles and environmental riddles will make it appealing and challenging for fans of the genre and beyond. All in all… well done, Draw Me A Pixel – mission accomplished!

Crushed in Time is a fantastic, highly original adventure that’ll keep players completely hooked thanks to its uniquely creative puzzling. The bickering dynamic between Holmes and Watson is genuinely funny, the voice acting is top-tier, and the shifting worlds are an absolute treat to explore. And sure, the control quirks might test your patience at times – especially when playing on the Steam Deck – but the sheer creativity on display makes Crushed in Time an easy recommendation for both long-time point-and-click adventure veterans and those who simply want to experience a puzzler that genuinely brings something unique to the genre.

Crushed In Time is a simple point-and-click adventure pushed to its limits. While some pain is involved, there are also a lot of cool ideas born in this far-flung space. If you’re looking for a puzzle adventure with a full roster of fascinating twists, Crushed In Time might be just what you need.