Pokemon Trozei!

"Trozei? OK!"

Having enjoyed Tetris, Pokemon Puzzle Challenge on the GBC and Tetris Attack for SNES, I was curious as to how a Tetris-like Pokemon on the DS would turn out, especially since Genius Soroity was behind it. Their first attempt at Pokemon game was bad, the second was merely average compared to games made by GameFreak. Is the third time the charm?
My rating system:

1-4 = bad
5-7 = average
8-10 =extraordinary
?= cannot be factored in

Story: ?/10

Seriously, it's a puzzle game, a story isn't needed but if done right, can enhance the play experience. The story is ho hum, giving the player just enough moviation to play through the stages. The game gets props for not using pre-established characters/settings in the games, but it stays somewhat true to the theme of the GameCube games, having to rescue Pokemon and all.

Music/Sound: 5/10

Unlike other puzzle games I've played, the vararity in music tracks is VERY limited and the tracks are short compared to the music in Tetris Attack, but even so, it's catchy.

Graphics: 5/10

The art style looks like something taken from Puyo Pop or Mr. Driller. Dare I say Samurai Jack-ish. I actually thought the game WAS in one of those series when I first saw screenshots. Weather that's good or bad is up to you. The graphics are bright and varied, the pokemon sprites are adaquate enough. It's not like you'll have the time to be looking at Pikachu's mug as you're blowing up Pokem, er, freeing Pokemon....>_>

Gameplay: 7

I'll keep it simple. Match up 4 Pokemon in a row to clear them. Slide a block up(it can appear at the top screen and fall back down in additon to other falling blocks), down, left, right. As a 4 block combo is cleared you can earn a "Trozei Chance" in which to clear 3 blocks, continue on and you can clear by matching 2 panels. Ditto blocks can clear any block, as long as it meets the 4, 3, or 2 combo requirement.

Sometimes the screen will black out leaving only shilloettes to decipher, or filler balls which are not easily cleared can screw yp your combos. It's crazy.

It's so simple to pick up, but hard to master.

Endless Mode is where you can try to achieve a high score with no time limit and there are muiltplayer modes, but no WFC mode REALLY bites. However I hear it's just as good as Tetris Attack's mulitplayer, but I have not played multiplayer so I just cannot judge this aspect of the game.

No WFC really, REALLY bites. Could this be some cheap marketing ploy to sell more copies of Tetris DS? Seems that way....<_<

Also, parents, I'd advise against getting this game for your little one, unless they have the common sense to use the DS stylus correctly. Why? The stylus is the only way to play the game, and as such, many a DS screen will be severly damaged, especially after and intense bout in which said kid will take out his frustration on the screen probably. Not including the option to play via D-Pad is lame, but unless you're so immature as to not use the stylus like a beast, you'll probably look past it. Probably.
Conclusion:

Like puzzle games? I say get it. It's certainly not a bad puzzle game, but it could be a bit better on certain aspects such as multiplayer modes(no WFC REALLY SUCKS) and control.

Final score = 7

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 03/13/06