Columns Crown

"Doesn't live up to its elders"

Hey, I'm really sorry for having to write this, but I feel it needs to be said. I loved the original Columns on the Gamegear, I couldn't stop playing it, it was perfect on the road or at home. Unfortunatly, the GBA version is on perfect when it's not played. (I'll make this short)

Gameplay 6/10
Unlike the other columns games, this one has a story behind it, and I find that great. We finaly have a reason to kick the games butt, even though they didn't included a ''story'' option on the menu, it's still there. Other wise it is Columns, but you can't change the way the pieces look, this is what brought the game way down for me. It is hard to tell which gem is which gem. I know I don't have the best eye sight, but this game is ridiculous about it. Also, in the background of your playing field there are outlined rows showing where the gems may fall. This may be good for someone who has never played Coulmns but I hate it. A fun thing that was added was the elmental attacks, those are extremly fun to use. But other than those few ''fun'' things, the game is very bad compared to its elders...

Graphics 4/10
Wow, this game has bad GAMEPLAY graphics in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, i'm not the type of person who hates a game if its graphics are bad. I think gameplay has alot and so does the music (seriously!). But the graphics for the Columns (gameplay) are horrible. Like I said in the Gameplay section, you can't change the color/shape/texture of the gems falling. And the colors of the gems just make it that much more worse. Plus the room you get for the gems is small, so decision making is a quick non second thought action, very unlike Columns. The elmental attacks are medicore compared to the other GBA games that excell in those areas. And the background is pretty nice.

Music 7/10
This is were the game makes up, but not enough to make me keep it. Like Castlevania COTM and Golden Sun, this game has nice music, not better than the two games mentioned, but much better compared to other games. Very nice music, but not enough to make up for the rest of the game.

Final Thought 4/10
I am really sorry if I offened someone that loves this game, but to me, I am returning it today and getting zoo cube. I love the original Columns on Gamegear, best puzzle game ever, right next to Tetris. Unfortunatly the GBA version just doesnt cut it....

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 06/10/02, Updated 06/10/02