Metareview: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (PSP, DS)

12 Comments by John Bardinelli Mar 24th 2007 1:01PM
Filed under: Nintendo DS, Portable, Sony PSP, Puzzle, RPGs, Metareviews, Casual

With a mix of puzzle and role playing elements, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords tries to hook both casual and hardcore players. Does it succeed? The answer is a strong "yes", though the game is not without its issues. The DS version has smooth stylus control but has a cramped screen layout and poor visuals, while Puzzle Quest PSP suffers from awkward loading pauses but has a better screen layout and graphics. Fortunately the drawbacks aren't enough to spoil the highly addictive gameplay.

Gamespot (8.5/10) - "What's most remarkable about Puzzle Quest is how a simple change of context turns some tired genre conventions that have been done to death into something that's suitable for just about anyone, regardless of your interest in the components."
Gamealmighty (8.3/10) - "Like a traditional RPG, your character will earn experience points and levels, allowing you to customize your strengths by the allocation of points. There are over 150 diverse quests to tackle that take place on a large and lush campaign map. Before you know it, you'll find yourself engaged in your first combat, and from that moment forward, you'll be hooked. This is no easy puzzle game and the more you uncover then the more you realize that Puzzle Quest is actually quite deep and strategic."
Gamesradar (7/10) - "The source material Bejeweled is fantastically compelling, so the puzzling is solid even if purists may dislike the addition of spells and powers. But those powers can definitely tip the scales in a match, so they add a whole new nuance and added strategy. And your constantly rising stats, abilities and property deliver a nice feeling of progression."

Be sure to check out the PC demo released earlier this week to get a sample of the unique gameplay.

Tags: d3, puzzlequest

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

SpishackCola: Mar 24th 2007; 1:20PM

This game is too addictive. I'm glad I was able to snag a copy for my roommate and myself when it finally hit stores 2 days ago.

Thrawn: Mar 24th 2007; 1:57PM

Got a copy for the DS at Best Buy last night. Stay away! The game is too addictive. The RPG components make you feel like you're getting something done.

WexusNexus: Mar 24th 2007; 2:25PM

this game is like crack... i honestly can't say i've accomplished much in the last few days other than get myself up to level 25 and hurt my neck... this game seems to keep getting deeper... i didn't even know about the castle building and research side of it until i decided to read the manual three days after i bought the game... this is taking over my life... help!

Ken: Mar 24th 2007; 2:37PM

My only criticism, and it is a small one, is that I keep wishing that the developers had used the superior Panel De Pon format for the puzzle portion of the game, as opposed to BeJeweled.

Still, it is a great game and I am pleased with my purchase.

emmzee: Mar 24th 2007; 4:33PM

I was interested in getting this game, but after downloading the PC demo, I wasn't especially impressed. I mean it was fun but longevity is my concern: When Gamealmighty says there are "over 150 diverse quests", are they really "diverse", or basically "go here and play modified bejeweled"? I mean I enjoyed the demo, but am concerned that I got pretty much all the enjoyment out of the game from that alone ...

Rob Accomando: Mar 24th 2007; 5:20PM

I downloaded the demo to this and played it for about 10 minutes. I liked it.

Then I let my wife play and she was glued to the screen for 2 hours. lol

KC: Mar 24th 2007; 8:05PM

I havent tried it yet....

But I'm thinking that since you levelup, and A LOT of people seem to think numbers getting bigger means they're doing something with their lives, the reviewers may have overrated it a abit.

Again, havent tried it, but if its really justa glorified BeJeweled, I dont know if I'll like it.

crusher: Mar 26th 2007; 11:06AM

I tried the demo and really like it. It is very addictive! The addition of alternating turns with your AI opponent and the spells and powers really add a good bit of strategy to the game. I'm definitely going to pick it up for my DS.

Arglor: Mar 27th 2007; 12:31PM

Have they done this with Tetris? Man that would be interesting. VS Tetris in an rpg setting. I have a feeling though the A.I. would become so difficult at the end people would be playing for hours to try and beat their ai opponent.

kftgr: Mar 27th 2007; 8:44PM

It's true that the game uses Bejeweled mechanics, but that's where the similarities end.

It's a much more strategic game since you can't just willy-nilly make matches.

James: Mar 28th 2007; 11:01AM

I can't wrap my brain around the complete mechanics. I keep studying the screen for a full minute, making a move, then the computer gets 5 "4-combo" moves in a row. I hope I get better, but damn... it makes me remember how I used to only get good scores in the *timed* mode of Bejewled.

Tim: May 27th 2007; 3:35AM

I bought this the other day, and totally fell in love with it! One problem: I let my girlfriend play my PSP while I went to the store.

I haven't seen my PSP or had a decent conversation with her since.

"So hey what do you want for dinner, hon?"

"Mmm... huh? Oh um.. CRAP! How did I die that quickly?"

Now I know how she feels. :P Fantastic game. Best PSP title yet IMO.

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