Trash Panic: A Review

Title: Trash Panic or ゴミ箱 Gomibako

Publisher: SCEA

Platform: PlayStation 3

Modes: Single and two-player

Trash Panic is different from most puzzle games because the player has to make the items fit in a limited space. Usually in most puzzles, the pieces are grouped together to make them disappear and provide more space for the other pieces that are dropped. Some good examples of this is Tetris and the classic brick game. This is not the case for this game. The size of the garbage bin in Trash Panic is uniform throughout the different stages of 3 modes that the player can choose from. The game will end when the player has dropped 3 undamaged items outside the bin. The next stage is unlocked once the player has compacted all the trash in the bin delivered by a yellow conveyor.The items delivered by a conveyor have different characteristics and the player must take these into consideration while disposing them. Some items are heavy objects that can be used to smash or break other pieces. Other items cannot be broken easily. Some trash are elastic and would bounce off when the player drops the item suddenly. In every stage there are items that cannot be broken and will only disappear when burned or decomposed. Some are flammable and the others can be used as fuel or explosives.

There are 6 stages for Main Dish (normal) and Hell mode (hard) and 5 stages for Sweets (easy). The former also have boss fights for each stage and the player must defeat them to avoid the penalty of dropping more items into the bin. The scores will depend on the manner of the overall disposal for each stage. The rating will be based on several factors and the player is given either an Eco (ecological) or Ego (egotistical rating). At each stage, the size and quantity of trash will differ. The bosses will also be different.

The player will also encounter 4 characters that will help with the disposal and will give rewards for each stage. The rewards can either be used to break or smash breakable items or the player is given a flammable item. There are also 6 modes to choose from: main, unlimited, versus, and mission.

Gameplay: The Single Player Modes

The controls are not so complicated but the player has to take into consideration the placement and properties of each item. The bigger breakable items should be smashed because every tiny space counts. While the 'bouncy' items should not be dropped or bounce outside the bin because this will count as a violation. Each boss fight has a time limit and some of them are tricky. Sometimes the conveyor will give the player a ball (which will bounce off) so the player must be quick to 'hold' the item or place it away from the boss without dropping it. When the boss isn't broken, the player receives a penalty - several yellow items are dropped into the bin and will make the disposal even harder. The game is mostly a trial-and-error process. But once the player is familiar with the items in each stage, it becomes easier to formulate a plan on how to dispose them. 

Although the player is given an option to burn the trash, the smoke will add more points to the Ego scale. The explosives are useful as well but it will add more points to Ego. Sometimes the player is given a 'decomposition ball' and this is more ecologically-friendly than the fire and explosives. But the ball needs water constantly. If the player drops it in the middle part of the bin and once the water level decreases, it disappears. However when two decomposition balls are in the bin, they form roots which will help them to access the available water even if they are far from its source. It is also necessary to 'shake' the bin to maximize each available space. This is done by shaking the controller.

Stage six is very challenging even on normal mode (no stage 6 for easy mode). And even after you've disposed of the 'earth', you have to keep the fire going to dispose the credits as well. Beating stage six is a bit tricky because once you get the fire going, the player must time the addition of another fuel. The earth occupies a lot of space as well so each item must be placed carefully and burned right away. Other items can also be used to break the fuel.

Rating

The game requires a lot of time and patience. Every item counts. One little mistake might cost you. When you fail to break one huge item, it's better to restart the stage because there's no way you will beat it. But it's a lot of fun as well because it's a new kind of puzzle. The music and art are both well done, although some items get stuck in the upper portion of the bin from time to time. The manual isn't useful either and it's hard to read. The game will be frustrating at first but because of its difficulty, you will have more reason to try and finish it (unless you're the type who will back out). One important thing that's missing however is the option to save the game in the middle of the stages. When the player quits without reaching the last stage, s/he will have to start all over again next time.

Personally, I had a great time playing Trash Panic and I was so happy when I finally cleared stage 6. I recommend this game for people who don't like easy games. If you want challenges, I can guarantee that even on easy mode, this game will crack your brains.

I'm giving Trash Panic an 8.5 out of 10 rating.