And for all that hardwork and effort you win.. a crystal ball wow!! (Crystal Maze, The)

Member Name: natzatp

Product:	Crystal Maze, The
Date:	29/10/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good to watch when nothing else is on

Disadvantages: Slightly annoying

Crystal Maze is a challenge gameshow where a group of 6 people battle it out in a series of games based on mental, physical and skill challenges. Each challenge is completed by a chosen member of the team. Just before the challenge, the leader of the team decides who would be most suitable to complete that particular type of challenge. The challenge is timed, if the challenge is not completed within a certain amount of time and the team member doesn't leave the room before the time is up the team member is locked in. However if the challenge is completed on time the team are awarded with a crystal ball. Crystal balls can be exchanged for locked in team members or used to gain extra time on the last challenge of the game (Group Challenge).

After all that hard work and challenges the contestants are locked into a huge glass chamber in the shape of a crystal and made to catch as many gold slips as they can in a short amount of time, mixed in with these is loads of silver slips (a majority) that if collected and put into the box where gold slips are meant to be placed points are deducted. To win the main prize the contestants have to collect a certain amount of gold slips which most of the time doesn't happen. So after loads of hard work and effort what is the consolation prize you may ask? A crystal ball, ironic huh? I find it extremely annoying after all that hard work and effort the contestants just win a souvenir that is probably worth next to nothing. But then again on other gameshows if the contestant doesn't complete the challenge objectives they can end up going home with nothing so I guess it's better than nothing.

I really enjoy this show but think the lock in aspect of the game is a bit pointless. The mental challenges are really interesting because you can try to complete them from the luxury of your own home. I love to see which challenges the contestants take and to think about whether or not I think I would be able to complete the challenges myself. The presenter of the show is really motivational and always encouraging the contestants during the challenges I feel this helps to influence them to perform to a high standard.

Overall I think this is a good classic gameshow but slightly annoying too. I find it to be one of the shows I watch only when there's nothing else on.

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