
	Platform DS, PSP, PC, Xbox 360 Genre Puzzle / Strategy / RPG Developer Infinite Interactive Publisher D3 ETA March 20, 2007
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Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

Above: Screenshots from the PSP version of Puzzle Quest

Well, here’s a game with a combination of genres that should raise a few eyebrows. The folks at D3 Publishing have decided to combine a puzzle game with the genres of role-playing and strategy with Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for the DS, PSP, Xbox 360, and PC. Unconventional? Sure. Intriguing? You bet! This will be achieved by having the questing of an RPG, combat that centers on puzzles, and elements of strategy within the puzzles themselves.

The game starts off in RPG fashion, with players choosing a character, class, dolling him or her up, and heading to the game world. From here one can choose to visit various cities, but instead of wandering around them as is often the case in this genre, a menu pops up where players can choose what they want to do. They can buy items, weapons, and armor, talk with the locals, and take on quests, among other things.

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Once players set off on their adventures, the puzzle aspect of the game will quickly become apparent, manifesting itself in Puzzle Quest’s combat. Instead of going full-blown fisticuffs like in most other RPGs, combat here is very similar to the symbol matching found in games like Bejeweled. However, Puzzle Quest adds another dimension to the whole thing. It’s

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not simply a matter of matching like symbols and clearing a board. Depending on what is cleared, different things will happen in combat. A player can match three money symbols to earn some extra cash, match skulls to inflict damage on enemies, or perform a slew of other tasks in a similar manner. In this way Puzzle Quest adds an element of strategy to the experience, forcing players to think beyond simply clearing like symbols, instead having to think of the consequences of clearing those symbols.

Above: Screenshots from the DS version of Puzzle Quest

On top of these central features in Puzzle Quest’s gameplay, there are also a number of other tidbits thrown in that appear quite interesting. First, experience and booty are still given even if players lose a battle, although it is considerably less than one would be rewarded for a victory. The game is also divided into three modes of play. First, there is single-player, which contains the RPG elements of the game, and a total of 150 quests. Second, there is “Instant Action” mode, where players can beef up their characters by doing nothing but combat. Lastly, the game also contains a multiplayer mode that will allow head-to-head play.

We’re only about a month away from Puzzle Quest’s release, so there isn’t much waiting left for this game. It certainly is an interesting approach to crossing genres. North American gamers will be able to decide for themselves if the game truly is innovative, not to mention fun, on March 20^th.

Jeff Nash

February 22, 2007


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