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• Weekend ds game review: Puzzle Quest 2(5)

  
  Infinite Interactive’s desire to not stray from the typical match-three formula spreads to every part of the game. In fact, each and every aspect of the core game (including all of the “mini-games”) are based on this concept. Looting a chest? Here’s a match-three game where you match coins and keys to earn your keep. Opening a door? Match a certain number of locks in a set amount of turns to proceed. Bashing open a door? Get ready to match some gems.

  While this might sound monotonous and bit “one-trick,” it undeniably goes a long way. Never underestimate the compulsion to find and match gems; Bejeweled was a breakout success for a reason -- it’s simple, it’s fun, and it’s highly addictive. What Puzzle Quest (and this sequel) brings to the table can’t be ignored, either. The questing, the leveling up, working to find that next item is a “hardcore” wrapper that does an excellent job of concealing some decidedly casual roots. The upshot is an tremendously addictive title that, despite its seemingly mundane nature, never really gets dull, its accessibility perhaps its biggest strength.

  
  
  To be fair, although it’s extremely similar, Infinite Interactive didn’t simply bottle up Challenge of the Warlords to be peddled as a new game. The title has been given a number of renovations, from the brighter, comic book-style artwork, to a more pleasing overworld (and dungeon) navigation system. The story itself is also more engaging this time around, and while it’s unquestionably not why you’ll play Puzzle Quest 2, it should be noted that the developer at least put forth the effort.