Devil Dice

Devil Dice (XI, pronounced "Sai", in Japan) is a puzzle video game developed by Shift exclusively on PlayStation. It was originally created for the "homebrew" Net Yaroze platform, but it later turned into a commercial game.[1] Released in 1998, it is one of only a handful of games to make the leap from Net Yaroze to commercial release. The game is a million-seller and a demo version was released as a PlayStation Classic game for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable (PSP) on 7 November 2007.[2]

Devil Dice
Developer(s)Shift
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • JP: 18 June 1998
  • NA: 24 September 1998
  • EU: 15 January 1999
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay
Screenshot of gameplay.

Devil Dice is a unique puzzle video game, where the player controls a small devil that runs around a grid covered in large dice. The player can both stand atop dice, and stand on the ground (with the dice towering above). When standing on the dice, the player can move from die to die, or can roll a die in the direction he or she runs, revealing a different face as the die rotates. Creating a group of adjacent dice with identical pips—the size of which must be at least the number of pips—causes those dice to slowly sink into the field before disappearing. Chain reactions are possible by adding additional dice to a sinking set. Different types of dice are available in some modes, with different properties to make the game more challenging.

The game features the following modes:

  • Battle - Pits the player against a single computer opponent, both attempting to build up chains and negate those of the opponent.
  • Puzzle - Mode in which players must solve puzzles (i.e., clear all dice) using only a limited number of steps or moves. Solving a whole row of puzzles allows players access to a picture that they can play on in Battle mode.
  • Trial - The standard arcade-style mode, where the objective is to remove as many dice as possible (and thus score as many points as possible) before the grid completely fills with dice.
  • Wars - A frenzied multiplayer mode, supporting up to four simultaneous computer opponents, or five human players when using a multitap. Players damage each other as they complete chains, with the "last devil standing" becoming the winner.

Sequels

XI Jumbo was only released in Japan exclusively on PlayStation.

XI Little was also only released in Japan exclusively on WonderSwan Color.

Bombastic (XI Go in Japan) was released in Japan, North American and Europe exclusively on PlayStation 2. It incorporates all play modes from previous releases.

Xi Coliseum was only released in Japan exclusively on PlayStation Portable. This version includes support for ad hoc wireless play between up to five players.[3]

Reception

Next Generation reviewed the PlayStation version of the game, rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "THQ's puzzler may be too hard for some [...] but its learning curve is just right for any player who's been around the puzzle gaming block once or twice. Devil Dice comes highly recommended."[4]

References
  1. "Devil Dice - Review". Absolute Playstation International. Archived from the original on 2006-10-20. Retrieved 2006-11-08.
  2. "XI[sai] Trial Version(for PS3/PSP)(Japanese Ver.)". Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  3. "Sony Brings Puzzlers to PSP". IGN. Retrieved 2006-11-08.
  4. "Finals". Next Generation. No. 47. Imagine Media. November 1998. p. 156.
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