Puzzle Kingdoms

Puzzle Kingdoms - (Wii DS)
Developer: Zushi
Format: Wii DS
Genre: Puzzle


Strategy and puzzles wrapped together in this left of centre game



Can puzzle games have sequels? We're not sure if they can, but if they could then Puzzle Kingdoms is one. The title is the follow-up to the revolutionary Puzzle Quest - a game that married puzzles with a role play mechanic - and doing it well enough to make the title maddeningly addictive.

Puzzle Kingdoms attempts a similar trick - but using strategy as the main counterpoint to the puzzles - and also making it look slightly less attractive. But still, nonetheless, serving up a half decent, highly original game.

Players are tasked with moving tiles in rows, columns and L-shapes to match up three of a kind - that then get zapped away, Tetris style. The core game is a simple puzzle mechanic- but as in the case with Puzzle Quest, the developers have overlaid a hybrid gameplay twist to freshen up the action. Each level pits players against an opposing force, where battle is a turn-based affair. The tiles we mentioned earlier, when zapped, give you attack power in each battle. It's a novel idea that hasn't changed much from the original but still makes the basic puzzle mechanic far more worthwhile.

Your opponent can be fought with attacks from soldiers that can be purchased. Players can have as many as four units in one army, with attacks being viable or launched once a number of tile tasks in the puzzle section have been completed. The battle ends when one side loses all of its troops. But the problem with this title rests not on its gameplay but on its looks. It is quite possibly the least inspired, most drab looking title we've seen in ages. There is no visual flourish to speak of at all - and you need something with a puzzle game as the challenge is always to make it as endearing as possible to the gamer.

A good game that marries strategy with head scratching - but more than a whiff of 'bargain basement' about it due to the dull and uninspired graphics.