Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

"Absolutely Fantastic"

This game comes out of nowhere to basically grab hold of an otherwise sane person and turn them into a puzzle maniac!

Basically the game is sort of like a competitive form of bejeweled where leveling up and customizing your character is the norm as you trek through the RPG storyline. Along the way you can make companions, train mounts, research spells, construct weapons & armor, besiege cities, and slowly craft your character into a powerhouse.

The game will only take 15 or so hours if you ignore every possible side-quest and optional extra, but taking the time to do it all will easily yield over double that amount of gameplay. I think the high level of challenge from being poorly equipped and under-leveled will direct most players towards a more completionist strategy.

The music is quality and well-produced, though like most RPG's it can get tiresome by the end of your long quest. The music is mostly epic and could really benefit from some more upbeat and energy filled tunes.

The play control seems to require good precision, so make sure you calibrate your touchscreen if you're having trouble with the controls. I think this game was originally designed for a larger screen which leaves you feeling some of the icons to click would benefit from being 1.5x the size. The "bejeweled" part of the game seems just fine, and that's where you'll spend 95% of your time playing this game.

The graphics aren't amazing, but I do like the art style and character design. Everything is set it medieval times, however I'd say the design has some anime-inspired roots in its approach. The "overworld" is very zoomed out, and does not feature much detail at all. Sometimes it can be a little tough to make things out on the screen if your eyesight is poor, but it was not problematic to the enjoyment of the game.

This game can be difficult at times, so if you dislike challenges and careful thinking, this title will not be up your alley. Some of the puzzles within the game are EXTREMELY difficult (researching "very difficult" spells) and you will likely spend a lot of time on them if you want the greatest rewards.

If you are a fan of puzzle games and RPG's like myself, this game will likely reach into your chest, pull out your still-beating heart, and match it up with 4 others to score massive points.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/02/07