By now, I’m sure SHIFT has become far more popular than its creators had anticipated. Fishing Cactus and Armor Games have garnered exposure on iOS systems and now PS3 / PSP as well. SHIFT Extended is an upgraded version of the free Flash game SHIFT found on ArmorGames.com. Luckily, it’s not only been updated but also polished up, and it packs a huge load of levels -- more than it ever had before.

Essentially, SHIFT Extended is a puzzle-platformer with more emphasis on the former than the latter. The main objective is to reach the door in every level. The player moves around with the directional pad and jumps using X. The most essential gameplay mechanic, however – the “shift” itself – is handled by pressing L1 or R1 in order to invert the player’s position. For example, if you’re standing on a white block or surface, pressing L1 or R1 will flip you over to the black. It may sound more complicated than it actually is.

- The Portal-like environmental puzzles will get your brain in gear -

My initial concern with SHIFT Extended was that it would eventually grow boring and tedious. Having played the free iOS version of the game, I was already familiar with the mechanics and had enjoyed its overall concept. Unfortunately, the free version of SHIFT ended quite abruptly – just as the game seemed to be increasing in difficulty. It left me wanting more, and I was luckily given a copy of SHIFT Extended – which is exactly as it sounds: an extended version of the original game – as a PlayStation Mini.

If you don’t already know, you can play PlayStation Minis on both your PS3 and a PSP, should you own one. While it works just as well (if not better) on the PSP, I found myself at home while playing this game for the review and instead enjoyed the gameplay on my LCD screen. This didn’t exactly bode well for the graphics. It’s not as if I expected 1080p resolution, but I have to admit that on PS3, the design simply wasn’t as impressive as it could have been. However, given that this is a PlayStation Mini and generally intended for use on the PSP, perhaps greater expectations may not be fair.

Stylistically, there is no color in SHIFT Extended; there is only black and white. Therefore, level design is kept relatively simple, and you’ll probably find yourself breezing through most of the first half of the game’s total 120 levels. However, in the later parts of Fishing Cactus’ puzzle excursion, the difficulty is bumped up a notch, and shifting becomes more than a gameplay mechanic – it becomes a change of perspective. This is where SHIFT Extended is at its best; bending your brain and trying to make you view the level in a new way. It’s a reasonable payoff for the rudimentary and mildly entertaining levels earlier in the game. As spikes become integrated, platforms begin moving, and time and rhythm become bigger factors. SHIFT eventually turns into quite the puzzling undertaking.

- Get ready to shift your perspective -

Unfortunately, for its $3.99 price tag, it is very difficult to argue that SHIFT Extended is worth it. I could see this at $0.99 or $1.99, but even the 120 levels aren’t enough for the asking price. It’s surprising too, as there is really nothing else to do but complete each level and attempt to accumulate a high score. No other game modes have been added, there are no unlockables to speak of, and no huge improvements have been made. In the end, SHIFT Extended still feels like the same Flash game on Armor Games' website. On one hand, it’s a good thing that the title has retained its original appeal, but the appeal tends to wear off over the course of the 120 levels, as you hear the exact same music while cycling through black and white screens, trying to solve puzzles that reward you with nothing but the fact that you’ve completed them.

GameDynamo's Score for SHIFT Extended (PSP)

	Score	Description
Graphics	62	The black and white certainly works from a puzzle perspective, but it ultimately becomes bland and boring by the end of the game.
Sound	54	For the first half an hour of SHIFT Extended, you’ll happily endure the quirky Pink Panther-esque espionage-themed music. Then, prepare to mute the game.
Gameplay	75	SHIFT is a solid gameplay experience and grows into a great challenge in its latter stages.
Play Value	60	Chances are you’ll be over SHIFT Extended after one play-through, and that probably isn’t worth $3.99.
Final Score	63	Unless you’re dying to play it on your PS3 / PSP, you’re better off playing the original Flash version of the game.

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