(XBLA) Puzzle Quest Galactrix
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Puzzle Quest Galactrix
I reviewed the Windows PC version of Puzzle Quest Galactrix last month and was a bit disappointed in the dumbed down feel of the game. So to say I was not very excited in the Xbox Live Arcade version was an understatement as I expected it to be identical as the Windows version. Well it is identical as the Windows game, but the Xbox Live Arcade version plays better, is more fun and more of a joy to play. The only reason I can think of for this weird change in gameplay feel has to be that playing a video game almost completely with a mouse makes it come off as a glorified flash game which is a shame.
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix is the second game in the Puzzle Quest series of games (The first game was Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords), but this is not a sequel per se but an almost complete re-envisioning of the classic Puzzle Quest game but now based in a science fiction universe and set in space. This new setting is topped off with some new and improved graphics and a wide open galaxy to explore, mine asteroids and do battles against many different factions.
The story In Puzzle Quest: Galactrix is about a horrifying scientific accident has provoked another race to attempt the extermination of the human race. You the player create a persistent pilot who gains skills, crafts items, maneuvers among the universe’s political factions, and upgrades the ultimate space fleet as they attempt to end the genocide.
But is this game just as fun and original as the first Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords? Yes it is but only to a certain point because this is one game which is still fun to play but it does lack some of the appeal the first game had.
Gameplay
If you played Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords on the various platforms it was released on you will find the learning curve of Puzzle Quest: Galactrix to be literally seconds instead of minutes. The only gameplay which will take a few moments to get used to is the new puzzle game board which instead of a square with the pieces falling down, the new board is six (6) sided now with the shapes falling from the various sides as needed. The basic same special abilities are there depending on what your ship has installed. These include weapon attacks on the enemy, recharging shields, creating mines and many more.
The puzzle side of things is basically the same puzzle system we have played for years where you need to match at least three (3) gems of the same color in a row. With this new board you now have more than two (2) general directions of most games but different angles which can open up many new moves for you or your opponent.
There are mines on the board which can be used to damage both you and your enemy. These mines are very helpful to both sides especially when you use them well and sometimes they can quickly change the tide of the battle from winning to losing with a single move or chain of moves and there have been countless times I have been at the brink of losing and the brink of winning and had a bad (or good) use of mines switch how things were heading. Its part of the game and it adds a lot of overall excitement and forces the player to pay attention at all times and not just randomly match gems if they think they are winning.
The role playing side of things is well done but technically only to a point if you are a role playing nut. The story is cliché but well written, the ability to customize your ships is only basic and the quests are generally just the most basic RPG flair of “go there and do that”. But this is a casual title and if the RPG shortcomings are of concern to you, once you realize that the casual side of things is not necessarily a bad thing, the game becomes more enjoyable.
Graphics and Audio
Graphically Puzzle Quest: Galactrix has some nice graphics in every single way. Galactic maps, menus, puzzle board and everything else is crisp and clear and not once do you ever have to think about what is on the screen it just becomes instantly recognizable which is the best part of the graphics. The color palette is bright and with the hand drawn graphics for the characters give the game this simplistic but still a pleasurable game to watch. It would have been nice to see the developers take a bigger chance with the graphics and perhaps push the game a bit further but I suppose with the game being released on so many platforms (Pretty much everything that plays games) it would not be worth pushing the graphics on one system further than the others.
Audio wise the game can be best described as good but could always be better. With some good music and descent sound affect Puzzle Quest: Galactrix does its best to pull you into the casual gaming experience but it does not take any chances audio wise with bigger musical score and more untraditional science fiction based sound effects. This in the end is probably my biggest disappointment in the overall game and that is not so bad.
Value
Once you beat the game there is very little need to replay it, but I would say if you enjoy playing the game, the very low price point and plenty of hours of gaming in this package make the games value high. Multiplayer is a bit of a joke and in the end is not needed and was a bit of a waste of effort.
Bottom Line
The original Puzzle Quest set the bar so high for Galactrix it is almost unfair to compare the two but in the end you must. If you can get past the “dumbed” down gameplay this is actually a fun and lengthy worthwhile gaming experience which most puzzle fans and Role Playing Gamers will enjoy.
If I had to recommend the Windows PC or Xbox Live Arcade version of the game I would say go with the Xbox Live Arcade version because it just feels better and seems to be more fun for me even the second time through the game.
Pros
+Great value game even for the cost…
+Many quests and puzzles
+Nice new puzzle board to play
+Sci-fi space based RPG story is very well done (cliché though)
+Easy to pick up and master
+Multiple characters to assist you in the game
+Build new items, repair ships, mine asteroids, tons of quests, lots to do
Cons
-Not as deep as the original Puzzle Quest game
-Controls not exact as they need to be and can cost time during timed puzzle modes
-The saving is automatic but slows down the game
Final Verdict
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
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