Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!

Summary

Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!, known in Japan as Ikimono Zukuri: Crea-toy (いきものづくり クリエイトーイ, Ikimono Zukuri: Kurieitōi), is a video game developed by Asobism and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS handheld system.[citation needed] Released via the Nintendo eShop store in 2011, Freakyforms lets players create their own characters, named "Formees", for use in the game.

Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!
Retail packaging artwork for Freakyforms Deluxe, released for PAL region territories.
Developer(s)Asobism
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Hiroshi Moriyama
Producer(s)Kensuke Tanabe
Composer(s)Kohei Matsuoka
Platform(s)Nintendo 3DS
Release
  • JP: September 7, 2011
  • WW: November 10, 2011
Deluxe Edition
  • EU: July 28, 2012
  • AU: September 13, 2012
  • NA: November 5, 2012
Nintendo eShop
  • EU: August 17, 2012
  • AU: September 13, 2012
  • NA: November 5, 2012
  • JP: April 10, 2013
Genre(s)Simulation
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer (Deluxe edition only)

An expanded edition, Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!, was released in 2012 both digitally and in retail.[1] The game received generally mixed reviews from critics.

Gameplay edit

 
Screenshot of a blue bear Formee, in the creating room.

In Freakyforms, players must first create an on-screen character, known as a "Formee". Formees are created using various shapes placed however the player decides. After the character is completed, players use the touch screen to navigate the Formee throughout the game world.[2] As the player explores, they are asked to complete assigned tasks within a given time limit, such as collecting a number of items, eating certain items or assisting other characters.[2] With continued play, additional features are unlocked, such as using the handheld's augmented reality features to take pictures of their creations in a real-world setting.[3] Users may share their Freakyforms content by using the Nintendo 3DS system's StreetPass feature or by creating QR codes that can be scanned using the system's outer cameras.[3]

Deluxe edition edit

An enhanced retail version of the game titled Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! launched in Europe on July 28, 2012, and in North America on November 5, 2012. This new version adds features such as the multiplayer mode where players make Formees together and explore dungeons. The software was released as a digital download on Nintendo eShop in Europe on August 17 and in Australia on September 13, while the original Freakyforms software was removed the day before. The original game was also replaced with the Deluxe edition in the North American eShop on the day the Deluxe edition was released. The game was also released in Japan as a Nintendo eShop-only game titled Ōmori! Ikimono Zukuri: Crea-toy (大盛り! いきものづくり クリエイトーイ, Ōmori! Ikimono Zukuri: Kurieitōi) on April 10, 2013, while the original Freakyforms software was removed the day before.

In June 2016, a homebrew exploit (Freakyhax) was released that is exclusive to the deluxe edition of the game. The exploit allows users to run unsigned software and code such as the Homebrew Launcher via the game's QR code features. As a result, the game can no longer be purchased on the 3DS eShop in all regions, although it is still available to redownload for anyone who purchased the game before the game was removed from the store. As of system version 11.1.0-X, the game is loaded in a PASLR (physical address space layout randomization) mode, and this temporarily broke the exploit. However, an updated version of the exploit that worked even when the game was loaded in PASLR mode was released on September 16, 2017.

Reception edit

Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! edit

The original Freakyforms received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] Lucas Thomas of IGN said that while the game's creation functions are "fairly well done", the developers then "surrounded it with this weird, tossed-together collection of desperate ideas that don't ever really feel like a cohesive game."[2] In Nintendo Life's review, Thomas Whitehead said Freakyforms was "a title that can give hours of childish pleasure", even though "repetitive exploration segments and control issues are negatives for anyone."[3]

Freakyforms Deluxe edit

Freakyforms Deluxe received a bit more mixed reviews than the original according to Metacritic.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ "Freakyforms Deluxe Your Creations, Alive!". Nintendo UK.
  2. ^ a b c d Lucas M. Thomas (November 11, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Thomas Whitehead (November 14, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! Review". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on November 20, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  5. ^ Edge staff (November 29, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! review". Edge. Future plc. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  6. ^ Jeffrey Matulef (November 16, 2011). "Review: Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! (3DS)". GamePro. GamePro Media. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  7. ^ "Review: Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!". GamesMaster. Future plc. February 2012. p. 95.
  8. ^ Romendil (January 24, 2012). "Test: Freakyforms : Vos Créations Prennent Vie !". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  9. ^ NGamer staff (Christmas 2011). "Freakyforms Your Creations, Alive! Review". Nintendo Gamer. Future plc. p. 80. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  10. ^ Zachary Miller (December 24, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  11. ^ Thomas East (November 14, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations Alive! review". Official Nintendo Magazine. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  12. ^ Mike Rose (November 22, 2011). "Freakyforms (eShop)". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  14. ^ Lassinat-Foubert, Loup (July 30, 2012). "Test : Freakyforms Deluxe". Gamekult (in French). Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  15. ^ "Review: Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!". GamesMaster. Future plc. October 2012. p. 89.
  16. ^ "Freakyforms Deluxe review". GamesTM. Future plc. July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  17. ^ Lucas M. Thomas (November 8, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  18. ^ miniblob (July 27, 2012). "Test: Freakyforms Deluxe". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Ben Griffin (July 27, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe 3DS review". Nintendo Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  20. ^ Thomas Whitehead (July 23, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! Review". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  21. ^ "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!". Nintendo Power. Vol. 284. Future US. November 2012. p. 76.
  22. ^ Chris Scullion (July 26, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe review". Official Nintendo Magazine. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  23. ^ Peter Willington (July 27, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  24. ^ David Jenkins (July 29, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe review – gotta make 'em all". Metro. DMG Media. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

External links edit

  • Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! at Nintendo.com
  • Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! at Nintendo.com
  • Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! at MobyGames
  • Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! at MobyGames