Puzzle Quest: Galactrix beams down to XBLA on April 8 [update]
by Justin McElroy 
{ Apr 2nd 2009 at 10:14AM } 
Though its DS counterpart hurt us and hurt us badly, we're hoping that the XBLA version fares much, much better. We're not sure all the problems can be fixed by porting the game to a different box, but we'd love nothing more than to be proven wrong.
Gallery: Puzzle Quest: Galactrix (XBLA/DS/PC)
Box art
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DawgOnU @ Apr 2nd 2009 10:21AM
That's on my birthday hope they have all the kinks worked out.
aristokrat @ Apr 2nd 2009 10:21AM
Man, I was really looking forward to this, but now I am trepidatious. I played the demo over and over, so hopefully the Xbox's speed will overcome the loading issues and make the game fun. Sounds like I'm waiting for some reviews though.
William Sagemire @ Apr 2nd 2009 10:35AM
I wondered what happened to this. It didn't come out on XBL when everyone said it would and then I couldn't find anything saying it was delayed. I was beginning to think the XBL version was canceled.
Kevin @ Apr 2nd 2009 10:48AM
There should be a PC demo version. That should be comparable to the XBLA version.
Neuromancer @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:07AM
There is and I don't remember any slow down.
Kevin @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:02PM
If I remember hearing right (Justin on the podcast and someone on the GWJ podcast) the DS load is 5-10 seconds and the PC load is 1-3 seconds.
Guibs @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:14AM
To be fair, I should take time to actually finish Puzzle Quest before I go on and buy this.
Alzheimers @ Apr 2nd 2009 2:09PM
They're not direct sequels.
Think System Shock and Bioshock.
Guibs @ Apr 2nd 2009 2:24PM
Of course I know they are not sequels. But they offer about the same type of gameplay, so I might as well finish the game I paid for first before buying another similar game.
Dirty @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:20AM
Dude I spent a million hours playing puzzle quest and never finished it. I love the game but I dont think I have the time for this.
Is there no PSP version?
Markez @ Apr 2nd 2009 1:47PM
Sounds like you could at least spare a cuppla hundred thousand hours on it. Don't have the time, pshhh.
Dirty @ Apr 2nd 2009 1:50PM
Your right, and I probably could have spent the 114 years of time on something like curing cancer. Unless of course puzzle quest does cure cancer.
Markez @ Apr 2nd 2009 2:09PM
Jesus, slow down, pal, who the hell has time for curing cancer?
Farseer (GDI) @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:32AM
I will buy this on two conditions:
Give me a character-enhancing reward for hacking a Leapgate, and KEEP A LEAPGATE OPEN FOREVER ONCE I HACK IT.
Besides the loading times, the fucking Leapgates made me stop playing both the DS and the PC version before I got very far in either. Oh, and the touchscreen implementation on the DS is the worst I've ever encountered. I've never played a game with such unresponsive (or downright funky) touch controls.
/end rant
TrojanGuy @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:07PM
Yeah, those are both very true.
Master Bruce @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:26PM
There's a nice mod for the PC version that multiplies the timer in the hacking mini game by 10. Made the game so much more enjoyable after that.
Farseer (GDI) @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:37PM
Thanks Bruce (and also oolz below) - I didn't know there was a mod for it. I guess that means I'll install the PC version again and give it another go.
Markez @ Apr 2nd 2009 1:48PM
Odd since the original Puzzle Quest on DS worked out great control-wise. I was planning on getting this for XBLA since I heard it was pretty borked on the DS, but how big of a deal is the leapgate thingy really? Haven't played the demo at all...
Farseer (GDI) @ Apr 2nd 2009 2:04PM
I totally agree - I think there's a different dev. team this time around, because the touch screen on functionality the original PQ worked just fine (also, you could use the d-pad and buttons with the original PQ, a feature sadly lacking from this one). I find myself having to press an item either really hard or twice to activate it (menus, game board, you name it), if it activates at all.
And the leapgate thing - that's just poor game design IMO. I hate to go into too much detail, but if someone made a patch for it on the PC version, I'm definitely not the only one who felt that the leapgates were a waste of time and totally sucked enjoyment out of the game.
StGermain @ Apr 2nd 2009 4:38PM
I have the full version on the PC, couldn't wait for it to be released on XBL after playing the flash webdemo over and over and over...
Hacking the leapgates gets really tiresome, even when you're good at the game you need to have luck on your side to open the difficult ones, one time you run out of time with half of 24 to go and the next try you get lucky and have half the time left... So far I haven't noticed leapgates closing again though.
The game is not what I expected based on the flash webdemo, you really start from nothing and can hardly do any damage, there are way more bombs than in the webdemo... it's different and not for the better imho, but maybe some people will be into it anyway.
I returned to playing the webdemo on my linux laptop for instant gratification :)
oolz @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:59AM
not sure what problems they're talking about. I've played hours of this on PC and it runs fine, even on an old and busted laptop. No reason it won't run just as well on the xbox. I can see the DS having issues because..well...it's a DS.
What sucks about this version is you won't be able to hack the game to auto-hack leap gates... worst decision decision ever in a game.
Sneeches @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:25PM
DAY 1 BUY FOR ME, SWEET!!!!!!!!! And is there a demo on xbox live? If so I didn't see it.
Kyle @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:39PM
Demo's usually come out the same day as the full product for arcade titles, don't they?
Guibs @ Apr 2nd 2009 2:26PM
Demo are mendatory for XBLA games. They cannot release a game without having a trail version. Microsoft just won't allow it.
Kyle @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:38PM
I'll almost certainly be getting this.
NoughtSoClever @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:39PM
Doh! Was hoping for a simultaneous XBL / PSN release. Guess I'll have to wait for the PSN version. Big surprise.
Courtney @ Apr 2nd 2009 2:48PM
I'll certainly try the demo for XBLA. I was disappointed with Justin's take on the game (well, on the game, not on Justin's impressions). Fond memories of the first PQ are still pushing me towards a purchase though.
Crusty Magic @ Apr 2nd 2009 4:02PM
20 dollars? =/
Uncontrol @ Apr 2nd 2009 4:09PM
I _returned_ the DS version, it was so fucking bad. This is coming from someone who loved the original.
HT UK @ Apr 2nd 2009 4:42PM
Hmm was thinking of picking this up, but it seems a bit pricey.
Although it is cheaper than the PC Version on Steam and shop prices
Jim Perry @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:31PM
I'm looking forward to this one... based on reviews of the PC/DS version, it isn't an automatic buy. I'll have to wait and see how the trial plays out. I am very excited about this title and Magic the Gathering.
NeoX360 @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:41PM
Isn't $20 a bit on the high side for an XBLA game? Wow.
Sean L. @ Apr 6th 2009 3:59PM
$20? Really? Thank you Penny Arcade for setting a stupidly high precedent for arcade games.