"Even more addictive than its predecessor!"

Columns was one of the Tetris clones released on the Genesis, though it was not as popular as Tetris, it was still very different and very, very enjoyable. It was a great game for friends, the 2 player mode, which Tetris, sadly didn't have. However, times have changed, and so has Columns - just a little.

Columns 3 is even more addictive than Columns, mainly because it is more of a multiplayer game, and perhaps other things, that also have changed.

Graphics - The graphics have been vastly improved, in my opinion. The jewels look really cool in this game, and they have thrown in extra animations, such as showing the jewels rotating at the top in the next box. But still, the backgrounds of the levels have also been re-done and they fit in with the Egyptian style setting. Graphics 9/10.

Sound FX's - These are great, this time there are more sounds due to the new functions of the game, such as the satisfying breaking of your opponents jewels! The original ones are back to, such as the jewels falling, and a higher pitch of the jewels disappearing. There are even a few hilarious voices, such as a small scream when you pile on some bars onto your opponents base. Sounds - 10/10

Music - Everybody who has played Columns can remember the music, the ''Clotho'' as it was called, just a series of beeps, that tended to be ignored. There were only 3 music tracks in Columns. However, every level you come to has different music, which all fits in with the Egyptian style, some tracks annoying, some quite cool, but either way, the music has been re-done really well. There is even a slightly remixed version of the ''Clotho'' which sounds surprisingly really cool! Music - 8/10

Gameplay - Allright! This game is so much different, probably because you are trying to wipe your opponent out. There are several ways in which you can do this. 1. You can keep playing until they lose (unlikely against CPU). Or 2. You can push up their base, so that they have less playing room. This can be done by collecting 10, 20 or 30 points (30 max) and pressing either A or C, this pushes up the base which is called the ''Crush Bar'', the crush comes from the crushing of your opponents falling jewel when you do this. And yes, that annoyingly means that you can crush the Magic Jewel! There are also other ways to do this, such as getting a 3 times chain reaction, where 3 sets of jewels go simultaneously or consecutively. This calls upon a flashing jewel, with which if you make disappear, will do some very nasty effects to your opponent (just one example then: makes them play upside down!). Also, the Magic Jewel has been redone; the Magic Jewel has 3 different properties. The first pushes down your base or ''Crush Bar'' - the second, eliminates a group of coloured jewels (the classic) and 3 - pushes up your opponent's crush bar. Don't let that jewel get shattered! The multiplayer gameplay is superb; you can have what looks like up to 4 players. I think that's right, I haven't tried, but the menu pictures suggest this, as does the mini demo on the game, which says pressing A will attack the person to your left and C to the right. This means, that when in this multiplayer mode, it is all out war!

1 Player Gameplay - Great, this is a real challenge, as the computer players get more sneaky and clever. 9/10

Multiplayer Gameplay - Flawless! I can't think of any way this could be improved! 10/10

Replayability - This game is so addictive that you will want to play again, on the different settings and with you friends (most likely with your friends). Replayability - 10/10

Overall - I am usually a very critical person with anything, especially puzzle games, but I have to say, this game has left Tetris in the dust, it is way better due to it's multi-player modes. Unfortunately, it was released late on Genesis, and isn't on dreamcast. Maybe it will make a recovery on another console. But for now, this game is fantastic!

Overall - 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/11/02, Updated 02/11/02