Joystiq hands-on: Neves (DS)

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 9th 2007 at 5:10PM }

The original Japanese Lucky Puzzle is a classic example of a wolf in sheep's clothing. With only seven pieces, players had to construct a variety of shapes and objects. Should be easy, right? No. Traditional puzzles have painted sides that interlock to ultimately form a rectangle. Unfortunately, players of Lucky Puzzle do not have such things to take for granted: pieces don't lock into each other and more terrifyingly, don't have painted sides. This means pieces can be placed in any way: turned upside-down, flipped around, and placed at any angle.

Lucky Puzzle is the inspiration for Yuke's upcoming DS exclusive title, Neves. Their first independently published game in the US, Neves is attempting to capture the brain teasing market that the DS seems to dominate. Like other brain games on the platform, the game is immensely easy to pick up and play. The touch screen is an ideal interface for the game, as it acts as a virtual table for you to move your pieces. Simply drag the seven pieces around, and use your stylus to easily flip them over, turn them around, or change their angle.

Because of the ever-present silhouette in the background, the virtual version of this classic Japanese puzzler is far easier to grasp than the real-life counterpart. However, don't expect things to be easy. These challenges are still notoriously difficult, but immensely satisfying. Each puzzle can take a minute, or ten, or thirty minutes, depending on your creativity. Considering there will be over 500 included in the cartridge, there's an abundance of play to experience.

Gallery: Neves (DS)

Multiplayer is also a surprising and fun addition to the game. Using Download Play, players can upload a demo to their friends, and compete wirelessly. The point of multiplayer is to finish three puzzles before your competitor, and like in classic Nintendo 64 fashion, you can look to the other screen to see what your opponents are doing – and quite possibly get a hint on how to progress. It's a subtle but significant addition that makes playing against others so much fun.

Overall, we're excited for Yuke's upcoming DS puzzle game. Honestly, you should be too. It might not have the same big-budget push as Nintendo's other brain training games, but it certainly has just as much depth and gameplay as the other puzzle powerhouses on the platform. Look for it this November.

Tags: luckypuzzle, neves, yukes

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

F1 @ Sep 9th 2007 5:22PM

Seems boring.

Leo @ Sep 9th 2007 5:23PM

Don't worry, the final build will feature explosions and naked women too =P

lessbiasedthanmost @ Sep 9th 2007 5:30PM

Will the final version also include women whose clothing explodes off their bodies?

Anni @ Sep 9th 2007 5:40PM

I'm the sure the puzzle game about shapes will duly note this criticism.

bm @ Sep 9th 2007 6:30PM

lessbiasedthanmost: I swear after reading your comment I thought your name involved something with lesbians, at first glance.

Kye @ Sep 9th 2007 5:53PM

Blue! Blue! Bloo, Bluu, Blew...

*some time later*

Paper, Paper, PAY-PURR, PAIPIR, pay-parrr...

*some time later*

(for the sake of many I hope this game is not voice controlled)

bm @ Sep 9th 2007 6:33PM

It's... a game with puzzle pieces. How on earth are they going to put voice controls in it? =p "Select piece number eight... move left, left, left, up, little bit to the right..." ?

Slaziman @ Sep 10th 2007 9:48AM

i hate sundays

limeyman @ Sep 9th 2007 6:16PM

The second picture in the gallery... they can call it a candle all they want...

Anticrawl @ Sep 9th 2007 8:50PM

Yeah it looks like a PENIS. Great yeah, ok.. moving on now that we got that out the way.

Lemmiwinks @ Sep 10th 2007 3:28PM

plus two intertubes for you

Adv2k1 @ Sep 9th 2007 6:29PM

I'm sorry that you can't talk Kye. I had very little problem in voice in brain age. I had the mental capacity to learn how the game wants me to talk, not get frustrated like a foolish monkey with a stick up its butt. If anything this would of been great to include in Brain Age 2 because while it might be entertaining I don't see myself paying for than $10 for that