Puzzle Quest: CotW -PSP-

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords -PSP-

Review by Pete

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is a wonderfully fun video game. The game is rated E for everyone, but I would say that it is rated E cause everyone should play this game. EVERYONE! The game looks like it would play like any “line 3 of the same color in a row” game on the surface, but underneath its a delightfully silly story with a very deep RPG feel on several elements. Its a pick up and play, but also a play all nighter.  When I finally laid the final blow on Lord Bane (the end guy) I was relieved and exhausted.

PQ:CotW has an amazing storyline with probably dozens of side quests. Its very lighthearted and comedic at times, but there are also some more emotional themes. There are moral decisions that you’ll need to make as the hero. Here is an example. You’ll meet with a king who’s daughter has fled to avoid her arranged marriage with the prince of a neighboring kingdom. Once you find her, she’ll flirt with you and say anything to try to get herself out of having to go back to her own wedding. Then you get to choose weather she returns or not. Afterward, you are rewarded depending on the decision you make.

The game starts out pretty simple and easy. Most enemies are defeated with little strategy, and a child could do it. But later on, the difficulty really get ramped up, and you’ll have to really think each battle through and formulate a plan of attack. I’m serious here, this is some intense stuff. When you win a battle, you’ll be awarded experience, and you’ll level up. You’ll get new spells for leveling up, and by completing quests. You can only have 6 spells equipped at once, and  after awhile, you’ll start to rely on certain spells more than others, and you’ll realize which spells are essentials, and which ones are battle sensitive ones.

The gameplay itself is no more than a simple puzzle game. You’ll need to line 3 or more objects in a row. When you do so, you’ll be able to take advantage of its properties. The more objects you line in a row, the more efficient you’ll be. Later on in the game, lining up three in a row will take on more depth, for your choices will have grave consequences or the greatest of rewards!

PQ: CotW was released on the DS, PSP, Xbox360, PS3, PC and iphone. No matter what your system, chances are you can play the game. I personally played in on the PSP, but I also put a couple hours into the DS version. The PSP version looks about 2 times better than the DS version. The major difference is the DS version is played with the stylus. But I didn’t find the controls to be responsive enough. And another point of notice. The iphone version has been chopped up in the chapters, and the final chapters have been delayed with no release date. Its really dumb that you can only play part of the game on the iphone.

I Spent many many hours playing the game, I had a blast the whole time. There are some frustratingly bosses, but when you lose, you’ll just need to go back to the drawing board. Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is what handheld gaming is all about. This is what I love about playing games. I am very much looking forward the sequel to this game. It will be a day one purchase for me. Super 5/5

-pete

April 6, 2010