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Joystiq hands-on: Neopets Puzzle Adventure (PC)
click to enlarge First off, let us congratulate you for making it past the headline. We know that it takes a pretty special sort of person to read on in the face of a title like Neopets Puzzle Adventure, but believe us when we say that you will be rewarded for your perseverance. As you may already know, NPA is the non-Galactrix follow-up to Puzzle Quest: Something Something Warlords by Australian developer Infinite Interactive. And even though the setting may not be our cup of tea, the game itself looks to be equally addictive.%Gallery-24247%
Infinite Interactive reveals Neopets Puzzle Adventure, gets death threats
While we find it no joke, apparently Infinite Interactive's CEO Steve Fawkner thought that his company's receiving death threats was worth a slight chuckle. Heck, if the company received death threats before they revealed this, then they're sure to receive many, many more after today.That sound you hearing? It's probably Eric, crying his eyes out as we hear about Infinite Interactive's new project, Neopets Puzzle Adventure. He's probably the biggest fan of their first title, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, we have on staff, so afford him some time to mourn.If you still find yourself interested in the title despite it's Neopets branding, know that Joystiq managed to get some play time in with the title and actually enjoyed it. Hopefully that'll be enough to pull Eric out of his dark place.%Gallery-24260%Source - Infinite Interactive reveals Neopets Puzzle AdventureSource - Infinite Interactive death threat
Infinite Interactive targets kids with Neopets Puzzle Adventure
We don't know too much about the Neopets franchise, except that the Neopets can have their own pets, called "Petpets." It seems to be Pokémon without the good games associated with it. Despite this, it seems to be doing quite well. In one of the most frightening developer/franchise pairings in recent history, Capcom announced Puzzle Quest developer Infinite Interactive's next game, Neopets Puzzle Adventure, at their Captivate '08 event. The game, releasing at the end of this year on DS, Wii, and PC, combines a Puzzle Quest-like puzzle game with Neopets pet care and collecting.Joystiq's Justin McElroy will have a hands-on report later today. We can only assume that his hands are still on the demo, clamped down permanently.
Puzzle Quest dev's next project: Neopets Puzzle Adventure
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Puzzle_Quest_dev_s_next_project_Neopets_Puzzle_Adventure'; So, let's say you're a company called Infinite Interactive. You're riding on a wave a fanboy love for your brilliant game Puzzle Quest: Forgettable Fantasy Subtitle, and you need two projects to follow it up. How do you do it? Well, you could go with a sci-fi re-imagining of the series, but what else? ... What's that, peanut gallery? Did we hear "a game based on Neopets"? ... No? Well, tough noogies, because that's what you're getting during this year's holiday season on DS, Wii and PC.You know the scariest thing? We played Neopets Puzzle Adventure at Capcom's Captivate 08 in Las Vegas last week -- and we liked it. Like, a lot. Check back for our hands-on preview later today and understand the full extent of our shame.%Gallery-24247%
Want to play Puzzle Quest: Galactrix early?
D3Publisher is looking for some help with the next Puzzle Quest game. See, they need people to give it a play, however it should be noted that this only applies to folks living in the L.A. area. Where's the east coast love, D3? How do you get on board with this? Send an email with the subject "Puzzle Quest Research" to lisa[at]mindofthegamer[dawt]com before April 18th. Names will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis, and are also subject to "additional criteria" needed to qualify. We guess you'll find that out the day of.The lucky gamers that do get to head on down for some quality time with new Puzzle Quest stuff will not only get to play Galactrix, but also that Xbox Live expansion, Revenge of the Plague Lord, along with "other" Puzzle Quest stuff. Any of our west coast readers going to sign up for this?%Gallery-16886%
Rumor: Galactrix landing in October
Given the insane popularity of Puzzle Quest, DS match-three/level-grinding fans are going to line up as soon as they can for Infinite Interactive's follow-up, Puzzle Quest: Galactrix. According to Gamestop, they'll be exploring the game's dramatic storyline and color-matching hexagonal gems this October. The retailer's website now lists Galactrix with an October 14th release date.Upon hearing this news, Eric's monocle fell right out and he sprang out of his leather chair, exclaiming "By Jove! I must arrange for delivery of this item immediately upon its release! To the phones -- post haste!" Alisha was more reserved, but we saw her teacup tremble a bit.%Gallery-16886%
DS Fanboy poll: Would you buy Puzzle Quest '1.5'?
The Nintendo DS has a long way to go before it can match the Xbox 360's online features and capabilities, but that doesn't mean we're any less jealous of the XBLA-only Puzzle Quest "1.5" add-on. In addition to a new story and arch-villain (Antharg, Lord of the Plague), the expansion pack will feature new spells, items, and quests. The upgrades we're extra envious about, though, are the new classes -- Bard, Rogue, Ranger, and Warlock.Seeing as the DS edition of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords doesn't allow for downloadable content, if the expansion pack were to come out for the DS, it would have to be on a new cart. We doubt D3 will bother with porting the game, but we're interested to find out if you'd buy a Puzzle Quest 1.5, provided that the game allowed you to migrate your old character, of course.%Poll-11365%See also: GDC08: Hands almost-on with Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
Puzzle Quest creators go MMO with Warlords Online
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Puzzle_Quest_goes_MMO_with_Warlords_Online'; We will admit to playing hours upon hours of Puzzle Quest, but the problem with that game is there's not persistence to your accomplishments. Sure, some versions have an online mode but it's just not the same as having the entire game designed around a dedicated online space. Well with the launch of Warlords Online -- the newest game to come forth from Infinite Interactive -- our Puzzle Quest MMO ambitions have been realized.
GDC08: Hands almost-on with Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
D3 Publisher's big surprise at GDC this year was the newly rebranded Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, the sci-fi spiritual sequel to the hit Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. We weren't able to play the game -- we were forced to sit tantalizingly close as we watched the PC version of the game (also coming to DS and Xbox Live Arcade) being demonstrated. The new game explores the question "What if people didn't have souls?" in the medium of match-three puzzle games. No, we don't know what that means either.Enjoy our gallery of spaceship concept art, screenshots, and this thing, and continue past the break for what gameplay details we could glean from the demo.%Gallery-16892%
Sci-fi Puzzle Quest: Galactrix is headed to XBLA
Today, D3Publisher and Infinite Interactive sent out word that the latest in the Puzzle Quest franchise, Puzzle Quest: Galactrix will be releasing to the Xbox Live Arcade sometime this Fall. Details are light, but D3Publisher revealed that Galactrix will take the franchise into the sci-fi genre, nearly opposite of its older brother Puzzle Quest: CotW. D3Publisher also promise to include a "rich and detailed storyline and fresh gameplay elements" into the mix. Which is a good thing, we wouldn't want Galactrix to have a non-existent storyline or stale gameplay elements ... that gets a thumbs up from us. Feel free to browse the Puzzle Quest: Galactrix concept art, renders and screenshots in the super awesome gallery below.%Gallery-16881%
Joys be thine: Three discounted games
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane, breakin' you off something proper. The old saint has brought in a trio of video game deals from Amazon, and not crap games, either. Hang your stockings and take out your credit cards because these bargains can be pulled at any moment. Ghost Squad - $19.99 Puzzle Quest - $14.99 Trauma Center: New Blood - $39.99 Speaking of Santa, have you kids heard that new Ludacris song, "Ludacrismas," from the Fred Claus soundtrack? It is all the way live. Fill your hearts with Christmas cheer and join us past the break for a listen.[Update: Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles - $34.99 -- grab it while it lasts!]
Wii Warm Up: The questing continues some more
As if responding to the concerns we raised yesterday, D3Publisher announced what changes and additions gamers can expect with the Wii port of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Shouldn't we have heard about these details at an earlier date, preferably before the game was shipped out?Anyway, this new Wii version of the puzzle/RPG hybrid has rebalanced elements, a replay option for capturing monsters, and a two-player multiplayer mode. As we predicted, there are no online features, unlike the Xbox Live Arcade and PC releases. Developer Vicious Cycle Software did, however, make sure to integrate "waggle control options with the Wii Remote."Were any of you actually hoping for motion-based controls? Or were you wishing, like we were, that the developer would focus its efforts on implementing the primary feature fans of the handheld versions were asking for? We'll probably pick up Puzzle Quest anyway; we just wish we could play against some of you online.
Wii Warm Up: The questing continues
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords was one of the biggest surprise hits of the year, its word-of-mouth success prompting a release on every relevant platform -- first the PSP and DS, then Xbox Live Arcade and Windows, and this week, the Wii and PS2 (with a Mobile version in the works). But with over eight months past since Puzzle Quest made its debut on handhelds and two months since its first console port, are you still interested enough in this game to pick it up?We haven't seen any previews or impressions so far, so we can only assume that developer Vicious Cycle Software hasn't added anything to the original game beyond the bug fixes and balance tweaks that were already in place with the Xbox Live Arcade version. It's safe to assume that there won't be any sort of online functionality either, which is really disappointing when you consider that cheaper versions of Puzzle Quest have had support for online multiplayer battles for months now.
Puzzle Quest announced for all platforms (except PS3)
D3 Publisher surprise hit Puzzle Quest has been on the march for months now. Having already conquered the PSP and Nintendo DS, the game was known to be preparing for an assault on the Wii and Xbox Live Arcade. We've now received intel on a move to the PC, PlayStation 2 and mobile phones, as well. Original developer Infinite Interactive will be handling the PC version and co-developing the mobile with THQ's Universomo studio; the mobile version will be published and distribute by THQ via its ValuSoft and Wireless divisions. Vicious Cycle, recently acquired by D3 and who previously worked on the PSP version, will be co-developing Puzzle Quest for Wii and PS2. Conspicuously absent from the announcement is mention of a PlayStation 3 version, either as a retail product or the more likely PlayStation Network download. We've contacted D3 for information. In the meantime, check out the highly addictive PC demo of the game.
Rumor: Puzzle Quest coming to Wii?
The latest mumbling amongst mumbling folk is that a Wii release might be planned for Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Amazon has listed a Wii version of the Bejeweled/RPG hybrid at a budget price of $29.99, due this September 25th.So what can we hope for with this port? New content? Honestly, we don't expect much beyond bug fixes. Added waggle controls, then? Not if we're lucky. Online battles, at least? Though this is implemented in the upcoming XBLA version, and the new product page mentions the ability to "Battle other Warlords for supremacy via wireless multiplayer," this seems like a fool's hope. That bullet-pointed feature was most likely gleaned from a previous press release, and it seems far too early for a niche release on the Wii to support online multiplayer. You'll find no truer friends of Infinite Interactive than us, but there are just so many ways a port like this can be messed up.[Via Joystiq]
Looking for closure with Puzzle Quest
For all its charms, Puzzle Quest is not a game that ends well. Once you've completed every mindless fetch mission and julienned the anticlimactic final boss, you're dropped back into the worldmap with hardly any ceremony save some brief epilogue text. The landscape appears just as you left it, unaffected by your victory or valor.The New Gamer laments in its review, "I keep hoping that, finally, my character will have some complete and utter impact on the lands, that all those I've interacted in will pronounce the lands free of evil, free of conflict and that they can finally live their lives in peace." But your deeds are quickly forgotten by the townspeople you've saved, and there's little to indicate that you've had an impact on the kingdom of Etheria. In short, it never feels like the Challenge of the Warlords has actually been completed.Though this lack of finality isn't exclusive to Puzzle Quest, we really expected more from an otherwise fantastic game. Hopefully, Infinite Interactive will take pains to address the issue before putting out its next puzzle/RPG hybrid, Galactrix. Until then, we'll be haunting Etheria's dusty roads, matching gems against any soul that stumbles across our path, sighing no matter what the outcome.
Puzzle Quest creators talk about upcoming Galactrix
Who would've thought blending RPG elements into a puzzle game would become so successful? Puzzle Quest's incredible fan following has earned its spiritual successor, Galactrix, a great deal of attention. In an interview with IGN, Lead Designer Steve Fawkner reveals that the team is trying their best to make this game feel unique: "the last thing we want to hear from gamers is "oh that's just a Puzzle Quest clone" (which we admit to doing).When questioned on its gameplay mechanics, Fawkner stated the game was not based on Bejeweled, but another popular puzzle game: "I would say that it would better be described as Collapse in space." A crucial difference between the two titles is that Galactrix features real-time puzzle battling.As revealed in the interview, there are plans to introduce downloadable content and 6 player multiplayer. It will be interesting to see how this game develops over time.
Puzzle Quest sequel in the works
If Final Fantasy can reach the double digits, why can't an RPG puzzler also have sequels? In a recent interview with the creators of Puzzle Quest, IGN learned that not only were the creators surprised by how quickly the title has sold, but that they are also working on a sequel. Infinite Interactive's CEO Steve Fawkner said: "We have enjoyed creating (and playing) Puzzle Quest so much that I think we wanted to start on a sequel the day the game was released. The right thing to do, though, is to spend some time gathering ideas, discussing new features, and listening to our customers before we dive right in and start work on a sequel. But I can almost guarantee that, barring the most unfortunate Act of God, you haven't seen the last Puzzle/RPG hybrid to come out of Infinite Interactive." If that still doesn't convince you that a sequel is in the works, Puzzle Quest's publisher D3 also chimed in about a sequel possibility: "Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is considered one of D3's key franchises. Absolutely do not count out the possibility of an amazing sequel to this remarkable game." So what changes would you like to see in this inevitable sequel?
Puzzle Quest creators go sci-fi for successor
If, like so many DS owners, you continue to be enslaved by Puzzle Quest, you'll be happy to know its creators are already working on another puzzle title. The new game, Galactrix, promises "a blend of puzzle, RPG, and strategy games" with -- get this -- science fiction. It's like nothing we've seen before! Well, sorta. Infinite Interactive is moving beyond the handheld realm this time around, and Galactrix is in the works for not only the PSP and the DS, but also the PC and Xbox Live Arcade. Some versions will include multiplayer modes and downloadable content, but they're not being too specific about whether or not those features are limited to certain formats. [Via GoNintendo]
Try before you buy: Puzzle Quest
Puzzle Quest is trying to do something different by combining the puzzle and RPG genres. The dangers of trying something new is that it has a high chance of failure. Luckily for those interested in Puzzle Quest, there is a PC demo online now so you can try before you buy. Much like that drug dealer that gives you your first taste free, Infinite Interactive wants you to get hooked on the demo so you rush out to purchase Puzzle Quest. Is this unique game worth your time? After trying the demo, I think this game will be a cult hit for sure. Giving purpose and story to a puzzle game definitely adds to the experience and the art is well done. But luckily for you, the demo will allow you to make up your own mind. What do you think of Puzzle Quest? [Via Joystiq] [Update 2: Provided direct link to demo.][Update 1: Corrected formatting.]
