Crossroad Crisis

Originally titled "Chitty Chitty Chicken" in its native Japan, Crossroad Crisis is exactly what a puzzle game should be: simple, easy to learn, and immediately addictive. It combines strategy with quick thinking and fast reflexes, but doesn't overwhelm the player with its frantic pace too early on. 

The only thing holding it back from being a classic is a lack of variety. There are only ten stages, and apart from faster speeds and a higher number of tiles to clear, each one is exactly the same. But the small amount of levels doesn't make Crossroad Crisis a breeze to finish. After the fourth stage, each one begins to pose a real challenge. Just don't expect the game to throw anything new at you as it progresses. A variety of board sizes and additional tile colors would have gone a long way to increasing difficulty without merely making the game faster.

As with most puzzle games, Crossroad Crisis doesn't excel in the visual department, but the graphics are bright and cute and never interfere with the gameplay. Each tile is clearly recognizable, as is the direction the chick is walking. The music fits the colorful mood of the game, and the audible warning when the chick is about to fall is especially helpful. A1 Games' budget releases for the PlayStation have been hit or miss, but it's hard to go wrong with this excellent, if ultimately limited, puzzle game. In the end,Crossroad Crisis is worth every penny.