Developer/Publisher: Infinite Interactive/D3Publisher
Genre: Puzzle RPG
Price: $29.99
Acquired: Review Copy Provided
Verdict: Great Puzzle Game with flaws keeping it from becoming a classic
Pros: Puzzle and RPG mechanics are rock solid
Cons: Art and Sound Design are abhorrent
Puzzle Quest 2, the direct sequel to 2007’s smash DS and PSP game (later ported to just about everything) which combined the ever enticing bejeweled game model with an RPG, is just that, a sequel. As I only had passing experience with the first title and it’s subsequent spin-offs (Revenge of The Plague Lord, Galactrix, Neopets Puzzle Adventure), this was my first real taste of the unique brand of puzzler that Puzzle Quest represents for the genre.
From the outset, you choose one of four character classes, these classes in turn give unique spells and attributes to bring into each battle. Battles take place on a bejeweled game board, in a turn based fashion. The core goal is lining up skull shaped jewels to cause direct damage to an opponents health. Upon being eliminated from the game board, colored jewels that represent a bulk of the game boards contents become mana which can be used in spells that range from eliminating a certain color of gem on the game board to one that modifies the amount of damage a direct hit to an opponent yields.
The single frustrating element throughout the core gameplay is the inherent nature that the puzzle quest series uses representing head-to-head combat. For a huge puzzle fan like myself, the cascading and really strange enemy AI makes it seem as if too much luck is involved, leading to deaths that feel unfair. I understand the need to think moves ahead and cater a strategy to the formation and placement of certain gems and skulls, but at points the game seems to rebel against this thinking by randomizing AI behavior. It feels as if I might as well roll dice for entertainment.
To compliment the puzzle mechanic comes the simple RPG additions, which include an inventory and equipment mechanic enabling character progression through both experience and loot. Looted items, which come in the form of clothing and weapons accompany your player, and if equipped, offer secondary means of attack if enough fist gems (basically physical mana) are held. In addition, simple mini games appear after slaying certain foes that make collecting loot a puzzle onto itself. For better or worse, the gameplay and overall style has been retained in what makes for an enjoyable pick up and play title.
Despite the solid gameplay and overall fun experience I had with Puzzle Quest 2, I was left with an odd sense of disappointment. Shoddy –and I mean shoddy — art design plague both Puzzle Quest games to the point where it almost has to be a conscious design decision by the team to have horrendous art. Accompanying the art is a lackluster story and soundtrack that makes the original Warcraft seem like a deep and compelling narrative. These aspects don’t make the game unplayable in any way, but they certainly made me wonder what could have been.
GrE Grade: C
Popularity: unranked [?]
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