There's something about the mixture of the puzzle and RPG genres that scratches an itch many gamers didn't even know they had. It's one of those mixtures that, on paper, might not sound like much. But in practice... it turns out to be delicious. Like peanut butter & chocolate. Or peanut butter & bananas. Maybe just peanut butter with most foods.
In any case, one of my absolute favorite developments in video games the last few years has been the rise of this sub-genre. So... let's talking about it!
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (March 2007, DS & PSP) (Fall 2007 XBLA, PC, PS2) (Fall 2008 - iPhone, PSN)
The game that started the obsession for most of us, although it technically didn't come first (more on that in a second).
The basic puzzle gameplay is match-3 style with new pieces falling in from the top, ala Bejeweled or Zoo Keeper. Matching colors builds up your mana which you can spend on various offensive or defensive spells, while matching skulls does damage directly.
Revenge of the Plague Lord
An expansion for the original PQ. Released on XBLA and PSN in 2008.
This expansion added new player classes, new quests, as well as new spells, enemies, and items.
Puzzle Pirates (Dec 2003 - Mac, Win, Linux)
I played PP practically non-stop for nearly the first year it was out. Puzzle Pirates is a full-on puzzle-based MMO. Crews can all sail on a single ship together, with each duty station represented by a different puzzle. The sailing puzzle is sorta like Dr. Mario. Bilge pump sorta like Bejeweled. When enemies are met, the swordfighting combat is handled with a puzzle game very similar to Puzzle Fighter.
New puzzles for crafting or just for recreation (drinking) are added all the time, and the game is FREE to play. Highly recommended. Maybe we should get a GAF crew together...
Corpse Craft
http://www.kongregate.com/games/tconkling/corpse-craft
Corpse Craft is a creative and macabre little online flash game. Rather than placing an RPG layer on top of a standard puzzle setup, it layers RTS elements on top. Gamers are reanimating a little army of undead, with various units having different strengths and weaknesses. Gamers build up the resources to purchase their units by eliminating them from a game board Collapse!-style. The more blocks eliminated at once, the bigger the bonus. It's a great premise with a lot of potential. Would love to see it expanded into a DS title, or $10-20 downloadable title.
Bookworm Adventure (Nov 2006 - PC) (Dec 2009 - DS)
A puzzle/RPG hybrid that actually pre-dates Puzzle Quest. Although for many hardcore gamers this entry into the sub-genre doesn't truly "count."
In Bookworm Adventure players create words from a set of letters. The bigger the word or the more difficult letters incorporated, the more damage is dealt. Letters can sometimes have special attributes, such as poison, healing, stun, etc.
The RPG elements are a relatively light. Enemy attacks are pre-determined, as is progression through the stages.
Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 (Summer 2009 - PC)
Besides an entirely new quest, the sequel added new negative status-effect tile types to increase the difficulty. Companions/pets that provide aid in battle were also added.
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix (Spring 2009 - XBLA, PSN, PC, DS)
Galactrix was considered a disappointing follow-up to PQ by most. My personal opinion is much more positive - I really enjoy the title.
Galactrix retains the match-3 foundation of PQ, but with hexagonal pieces, instead of square. The direction a player makes a match determines the direction new pieces enter the board from, giving much more control over random combos and cascades. The game includes unique puzzle minigames for virtually all in-game activities - mining, bartering, crafting, etc.
The game was whacked by GAF and by some critics as being overly repetitive and by relying too much on luck. I disagree with both criticisms. I think the ability to control the gravity of the board makes Galactrix far less luck-based than PQ1 was. As for the experience being repetitive, the game is fairly non-linear. If you're tired of hacing leapgates or combat, spend some time mining, or haggling.
Might & Magic Clash of Heroes (DS - Dec 1 2009)
Released TODAY for the DS, this game has been garnering extremely positive reviews. It currently has an 86 average on Metacritic, with many calling it the best puzzle/RPG since PQ. The basic puzzle gameplay is similar to Capybara's last title, Critter Crunch. Edge gave it a 9/10:"Even if the DNA of its forebears is barely apparent, such a bold, brilliant transformation certainly involves something a little like magic."
Gyromancer (Nov 2009 - XBLA)
Gyromancer is a joint project between Popcap and Square Enix, mixing Popcap's Bejeweled Twist with Square's RPG artwork & planning expertise. Despite this pedigree, most gamers weren't too thrilled with the finished product.
Gyromancer is unique in that the combat isn't turn-based. The player is the only one to manipulate the gems on the board. So it is up to them to come up with the most efficient way to damage their opponent, while also neutralizing the opponent's damage-dealing gems (by matching them).
The game looks & sounds great and the core puzzle gameplay is solid, but Gyromancer suffers from very light RPG elements, and a lack of strategic depth to it's match-ups.
Puzzle Kingdoms (May 2009 - DS, Wii, PC)
I'm ashamed to admit I have yet to play PK. Based on what I've read, the puzzle gameplay copies titles like Pokemon Trozei rather than Bejeweled. ie entire rows and columns can be slid vertically or horizontally. Matching three squares elminates them from the board. Rather than being a puzzle + RPG, the game appears to be more of a puzzle + strategy title. The game received moderate critical praise, with the primary complaint being a low-budget feeling creeping into many aspects of the product.
Anyone have any hands-on impressions?
UPCOMING RELEASES:
Puzzle Quest 2 (Spring 2010)
The king returns. Hopefully. Not much is known so far, beyond the basic sequel givens (new character classes, a new tournament mode of play, etc). I think most people liked PQ more than Galactrix because the puzzle action itself was more casual and less thoughtful. It was like a slot machine - sometimes you would hit the jackpot and set off a crazy cascade, and it felt good.
Hopefully PQ2 can retain those good feelings, while adding some additional depth to the package. VERY disappointed in the lack of a PSP sku, though. It was my platform of choice for the original PQ.
Puzzle Chronicles (TBA Q1 2010 - XBLA, PSN, PC, DS, PSP)
Also developed by Infinite Interactive (but published by Konami oddly), Puzzle Chronicles seems to be flying under the radar. Why do some I.I. games get hyped to high heaven, while others get no press at all? (this, and Puzzle Kingdoms).
IGN has a pretty terrible hands-on from way back in April, where Hilary spends almost the whole time talking about the art, and one paragraph explaining the gameplay itself. Read Here. Basically, the matches are not turn-based but real-time. Pieces fall horizontally, and you & your opponent share a game board. As you make matches, you put the squeeze on your opponent, lengthening your board and shortening theirs. I'm not crazy about the art either, but if the RPG wrapping is solid, and the battle-system well-tuned, it could make for good, more intense puzzle RPG.
~~~
...that's about it! Any legacy titles I failed to include? Any upcoming titles I should be made aware of? I don't want Infinite Interactive to have to carry this genre on their own. Hopefully despite the semi-misstep that Gyromancer was Popcap and S-E will stay involved...
Happy puzzling everyone!
In any case, one of my absolute favorite developments in video games the last few years has been the rise of this sub-genre. So... let's talking about it!
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (March 2007, DS & PSP) (Fall 2007 XBLA, PC, PS2) (Fall 2008 - iPhone, PSN)
The game that started the obsession for most of us, although it technically didn't come first (more on that in a second).
The basic puzzle gameplay is match-3 style with new pieces falling in from the top, ala Bejeweled or Zoo Keeper. Matching colors builds up your mana which you can spend on various offensive or defensive spells, while matching skulls does damage directly.
Revenge of the Plague Lord
An expansion for the original PQ. Released on XBLA and PSN in 2008.
This expansion added new player classes, new quests, as well as new spells, enemies, and items.
Puzzle Pirates (Dec 2003 - Mac, Win, Linux)
I played PP practically non-stop for nearly the first year it was out. Puzzle Pirates is a full-on puzzle-based MMO. Crews can all sail on a single ship together, with each duty station represented by a different puzzle. The sailing puzzle is sorta like Dr. Mario. Bilge pump sorta like Bejeweled. When enemies are met, the swordfighting combat is handled with a puzzle game very similar to Puzzle Fighter.
New puzzles for crafting or just for recreation (drinking) are added all the time, and the game is FREE to play. Highly recommended. Maybe we should get a GAF crew together...
Corpse Craft
http://www.kongregate.com/games/tconkling/corpse-craft
Corpse Craft is a creative and macabre little online flash game. Rather than placing an RPG layer on top of a standard puzzle setup, it layers RTS elements on top. Gamers are reanimating a little army of undead, with various units having different strengths and weaknesses. Gamers build up the resources to purchase their units by eliminating them from a game board Collapse!-style. The more blocks eliminated at once, the bigger the bonus. It's a great premise with a lot of potential. Would love to see it expanded into a DS title, or $10-20 downloadable title.
Bookworm Adventure (Nov 2006 - PC) (Dec 2009 - DS)
A puzzle/RPG hybrid that actually pre-dates Puzzle Quest. Although for many hardcore gamers this entry into the sub-genre doesn't truly "count."
In Bookworm Adventure players create words from a set of letters. The bigger the word or the more difficult letters incorporated, the more damage is dealt. Letters can sometimes have special attributes, such as poison, healing, stun, etc.
The RPG elements are a relatively light. Enemy attacks are pre-determined, as is progression through the stages.
Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 (Summer 2009 - PC)
Besides an entirely new quest, the sequel added new negative status-effect tile types to increase the difficulty. Companions/pets that provide aid in battle were also added.
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix (Spring 2009 - XBLA, PSN, PC, DS)
Galactrix was considered a disappointing follow-up to PQ by most. My personal opinion is much more positive - I really enjoy the title.
Galactrix retains the match-3 foundation of PQ, but with hexagonal pieces, instead of square. The direction a player makes a match determines the direction new pieces enter the board from, giving much more control over random combos and cascades. The game includes unique puzzle minigames for virtually all in-game activities - mining, bartering, crafting, etc.
The game was whacked by GAF and by some critics as being overly repetitive and by relying too much on luck. I disagree with both criticisms. I think the ability to control the gravity of the board makes Galactrix far less luck-based than PQ1 was. As for the experience being repetitive, the game is fairly non-linear. If you're tired of hacing leapgates or combat, spend some time mining, or haggling.
Might & Magic Clash of Heroes (DS - Dec 1 2009)
Released TODAY for the DS, this game has been garnering extremely positive reviews. It currently has an 86 average on Metacritic, with many calling it the best puzzle/RPG since PQ. The basic puzzle gameplay is similar to Capybara's last title, Critter Crunch. Edge gave it a 9/10:"Even if the DNA of its forebears is barely apparent, such a bold, brilliant transformation certainly involves something a little like magic."
Gyromancer (Nov 2009 - XBLA)
Gyromancer is a joint project between Popcap and Square Enix, mixing Popcap's Bejeweled Twist with Square's RPG artwork & planning expertise. Despite this pedigree, most gamers weren't too thrilled with the finished product.
Gyromancer is unique in that the combat isn't turn-based. The player is the only one to manipulate the gems on the board. So it is up to them to come up with the most efficient way to damage their opponent, while also neutralizing the opponent's damage-dealing gems (by matching them).
The game looks & sounds great and the core puzzle gameplay is solid, but Gyromancer suffers from very light RPG elements, and a lack of strategic depth to it's match-ups.
Puzzle Kingdoms (May 2009 - DS, Wii, PC)
I'm ashamed to admit I have yet to play PK. Based on what I've read, the puzzle gameplay copies titles like Pokemon Trozei rather than Bejeweled. ie entire rows and columns can be slid vertically or horizontally. Matching three squares elminates them from the board. Rather than being a puzzle + RPG, the game appears to be more of a puzzle + strategy title. The game received moderate critical praise, with the primary complaint being a low-budget feeling creeping into many aspects of the product.
Anyone have any hands-on impressions?
UPCOMING RELEASES:
Puzzle Quest 2 (Spring 2010)
The king returns. Hopefully. Not much is known so far, beyond the basic sequel givens (new character classes, a new tournament mode of play, etc). I think most people liked PQ more than Galactrix because the puzzle action itself was more casual and less thoughtful. It was like a slot machine - sometimes you would hit the jackpot and set off a crazy cascade, and it felt good.
Hopefully PQ2 can retain those good feelings, while adding some additional depth to the package. VERY disappointed in the lack of a PSP sku, though. It was my platform of choice for the original PQ.
Puzzle Chronicles (TBA Q1 2010 - XBLA, PSN, PC, DS, PSP)
Also developed by Infinite Interactive (but published by Konami oddly), Puzzle Chronicles seems to be flying under the radar. Why do some I.I. games get hyped to high heaven, while others get no press at all? (this, and Puzzle Kingdoms).
IGN has a pretty terrible hands-on from way back in April, where Hilary spends almost the whole time talking about the art, and one paragraph explaining the gameplay itself. Read Here. Basically, the matches are not turn-based but real-time. Pieces fall horizontally, and you & your opponent share a game board. As you make matches, you put the squeeze on your opponent, lengthening your board and shortening theirs. I'm not crazy about the art either, but if the RPG wrapping is solid, and the battle-system well-tuned, it could make for good, more intense puzzle RPG.
~~~
...that's about it! Any legacy titles I failed to include? Any upcoming titles I should be made aware of? I don't want Infinite Interactive to have to carry this genre on their own. Hopefully despite the semi-misstep that Gyromancer was Popcap and S-E will stay involved...
Happy puzzling everyone!
