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Not Your Typical "Blocks" Puzzle Game!
posted by lazygamer (Northridge, CA) May 14, 2007
Member since Jan 2003
6 out of 6 gamers (100%) found this review helpful
If there ever was a melding of genres, this would be a good example. It's basically a RPG strategy game, except instead of bloody, visceral fighting sequences you match-up blocks "Bejeweled" style.
You choose the class of character (e.g. wizard, warrior) which determines the types of spells available. The game is deep where spells can be chosen (six initially) and skills and equipment can be upgraded. Even your castle can be equipped with a forge to create new items (done via a puzzle mini-game of its own). Like I said, not your typical puzzle game.
Battles are done on a single board consisting of different colored mana "jewels" and other symbols. Linking three or more of these up bestows the mana: skulls do damage to "life bars" (yes, you have a life bar). Spells can be activated by collecting the "recipe" of mana and can affect different things: the jewels on the board, course of play or offensive/defensive plays to your opponent. The A.I. is quite aggressive and impressive and uses what it has. With this is mind, you have to think strategically (e.g. "two moves ahead"). If not, you could be setting up yourself for damage, mana drain or even death by "giving" combos to your enemy. As a result, do not play this like a normal puzzle game. The A.I. is actively trying to take you out. My wife who is a puzzle game whiz was mopped-up until she got the hang of it (several frustrated hours later)!
The graphics are nice and clean and the music is typical "fantasy" genre which goes well.
If you want a puzzler with more than "Time Trials" or "Marathon" mode or introduce your wife/girlfriend to RPG games, give this game a try!
You choose the class of character (e.g. wizard, warrior) which determines the types of spells available. The game is deep where spells can be chosen (six initially) and skills and equipment can be upgraded. Even your castle can be equipped with a forge to create new items (done via a puzzle mini-game of its own). Like I said, not your typical puzzle game.
Battles are done on a single board consisting of different colored mana "jewels" and other symbols. Linking three or more of these up bestows the mana: skulls do damage to "life bars" (yes, you have a life bar). Spells can be activated by collecting the "recipe" of mana and can affect different things: the jewels on the board, course of play or offensive/defensive plays to your opponent. The A.I. is quite aggressive and impressive and uses what it has. With this is mind, you have to think strategically (e.g. "two moves ahead"). If not, you could be setting up yourself for damage, mana drain or even death by "giving" combos to your enemy. As a result, do not play this like a normal puzzle game. The A.I. is actively trying to take you out. My wife who is a puzzle game whiz was mopped-up until she got the hang of it (several frustrated hours later)!
The graphics are nice and clean and the music is typical "fantasy" genre which goes well.
If you want a puzzler with more than "Time Trials" or "Marathon" mode or introduce your wife/girlfriend to RPG games, give this game a try!