PuzzleQuest
Latest
Puzzle Quest this Wednesday on XBLA
According to a press release IGN received from D3 Publisher, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords will release on Xbox Live Arcade Oct. 10. Although no specifics were given on price, the game is expected to cost 1200 MS points ($15) based on previous leaked info.Although the 1200 MS price point may be a little steep compared to what we're used to paying for an XBLA game, considering the game normally costs between $20 - $30 on various other platforms (DS, PSP, PC), it doesn't seem unreasonable -- and the HD is a nice perk. If you haven't played the acclaimed puzzle/RPG hybrid, or are looking forward to playing again on a bigger screen, it appears the wait is almost over.[Via Evil Avatar]
Fresh screenshots for upcoming XBLA games
With this week's announcement of upcoming Xbox Live Arcade games that will be releasing soonish comes a batch of marketing offered screenshots. And we figured what better way to share the visual stimulation that these XBLA screenshots have to offer than with official X3F galleries! So, that's exactly what we did. Check out the newly uploaded screenshots for upcoming XBLA games Hexic 2, SPFIITHDR, War World and Puzzle Quest by giving them a quick click-through. We even got you started in your screenshot browsing by embedding the SPFIITHDR gallery below. Go already, go get your daily dose of XBLA screenshot love. %Gallery-5729%
Summer XBLA titles announced
Following the announcement of Track & Field yesterday, Microsoft gave us a sneak peak at the Arcade titles coming this month and in the coming weeks. They announced that this month we'll be seeing Ecco The Dolphin, which we caught on the ESRB a while back, Hexic 2, and War Worlds. Outside of August, or potentially on the tail end as a twofer, we have Geon: Emotions, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, Streets of Rage 2, Space Giraffe, and of course, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Out of that line up, what are you most stoked for?
Puzzle Quest rated by ESRB for Macs
Our sister site Joystiq reports that Puzzle Quest, the handheld puzzle-slash-RPG sensation, has been rated by the ESRB for a Mac release. The news isn't that surprising, as Puzzle Quest has already been slated to appear on almost every platform but the Mac (although PS3 hasn't received the love either). It is great news, as Puzzle Quest is supposed to be a terrific game, and it is exactly the kind of casual game that belongs in OS X.An ESRB rating isn't exactly official confirmation, but it does usually mean that the game is playable, so chances are we'll see the game released sooner rather than later (if I had to guess, I'd say by this holiday season, but don't quote me on that). If you happen to have a PC box around, there's a demo available right now, but from all reports, if you like puzzlers and/or RPG games, this game is good enough to pick up sight unseen.
Puzzle Quest rated for PS3, Mac by ESRB
Perhaps the only thing more exciting than the news that versions of Puzzle Quest were coming to almost every platform would be this ESRB rating leading us to believe that none system would be left behind. Apparently, Mac and PS3 owners will soon get to experience the thrill of doing battle with a deadly Minotaur by switching gems into rows of threes.We kid, but the portable versions of Puzzle Quest didn't leave our hands for weeks after we first grasped them. We're curious to see if their strange siren song works on home consoles too. Curious what all the hubbub's about? You can find a demo here.[Via Siliconera]
Puzzle Quest and its cheating AI coming to Wii
We reported on rumors of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords coming to the Wii two weeks ago, but publisher D3P finally made the port official with an announcement earlier today. Though it doesn't look like there's much planned in the way of new features or content, we're happy to see the addictive puzzle/RPG hybrid appear on more platforms. Knowing that the game's developer, Infinite Interactive, will have some extra cash to fund their other projects (e.g. Galactrix and Warlords DS) also puts an extra spring in our steps. Expect to see the Wii version of Puzzle Quest hit store shelves this fall. And yes, we know that Puzzle Quest's AI doesn't actually cheat -- it sure seemed that way, though, those first few times we tried to siege Gallia![Via Joystiq]
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]
Puzzle Quest spreads its addictiveness to the Wii
Rumors of a Wii version of the incredibly addictive PSP/DS game Puzzle Quest have been laying still for months. Now, with an Xbox Live Arcade incarnation on its way, Amazon.com has listed Puzzle Quest Wii with a release date of September 25th. Even better: the attractive price tag of $29.99 is plastered below the box art, taunting those of us who already own a portable version of the game. Would we pick up a big-screen brother of Puzzle Quest, even if it had but a few pithy extras? Yes.[Thanks, Steve 3.2]
DS Daily: Puzzlers
There are several puzzle games in the top twenty DS titles, as compiled by Metacritic, and none of them are Puzzle Quest. How can this be?! While we puzzle over that one, we thought we'd ask: with the plethora of good puzzle titles (and games with puzzle elements) available for DS fans, what's your favorite? Or are you -- gasp -- not much of a puzzle person?
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.
Forty-hour DS charger is perfect ... for somebody
When we play Puzzle Quest on DS, sometimes we get a little anal. Like staring at the screen-for-hours-trying-to-pick -the-right-move anal ... Bobby Fisher anal. When we get in the zone like this, we don't notice anything, let alone house fires, so keeping the DS plugged into the wall is simply too risky. So we were thrilled, as you might imagine, to hear about this battery pack, which allows us to stare at the screen for up to 40 hours without a charge.OK, we know what you're thinking. We're stretching. Yeah, well, you got us. Frankly we don't know why you'd need this thing. And if you do, it's probably time to reassess your priorities. Why aren't you ever near an outlet? Are you homeless? If so, why are you buying it? Where will you have it delivered to? The audience this thing is aimed at is the only puzzle we're questing after at the moment.[Via DS Fanboy]
DS Daily: If only
Sometimes, you pick up a DS game, play it for a while, and think, "Wow, this could easily be the best game ever ... if only it offered an online multiplayer option." Some games just cry out for it. Puzzle Quest is the first that comes to mind, but it's not the only DS game that just seems half-finished without WiFi support. Enedora needs to be able to take her show online. What about SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters? Begging for it. We're happy that Nintendo at least implemented online play with the DS, but we want more. You know how it is -- we're just never satisfied.
DS Daily: Variety - is it really the spice of life?
We're curious ... when you're not playing the DS, what are you playing instead? Are you filling your non-handheld time with the Wii, or even -- gasp -- another system? That's where this blogger tends to fall of late; between the Halo 3 Beta and the recent release of Catan on the Xbox Live Marketplace (we love the boardgame), there's a little variety in the gaming schedule of late. After all, for those of us who aren't Poké-fiends, the last few weeks have been a little more on the mediocre side of things ... which, considering our continuing obsession with Puzzle Quest, is probably a good thing for the ol' wallet.But we do wonder what other games take your fancy. Perhaps World of Warcraft or another MMO? Are you one of the seven people who've bought a PS3? Next week, we figure Mario Party 8 will suck up tons of free time, so we're getting that non-Nintendo gaming in now. How about you? Are you sticking with your beloved DS, or do you sometimes branch out a little?
A few new Puzzle Quest details
There's a Puzzle Quest interview up at GameSpot. While it doesn't reveal much in the way of new details about the upcoming XBLA release, it does give us an idea of the game's genesis. Steve Fawkner, lead designer for the game, did say that the development team plans to take advantage of the features available on Xbox Live Arcade. In fact, Fawkner notes, "XBLA has so many great features that it would be a criminal act if we didn't take advantage of all of them." We take it that means Puzzle Quest will be getting a high definition makeover, online play, and leaderboards at the very least.Now all we need is a release date.[Via Game Stooge]
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?
Homebrew Warlords invades the DS
Though we hate to think of the Nintendo DS as a system overrun with ports of old games, we won't raise any arguments when those ports consist of PC classics. Homebrew developer Beathwho has started work on bringing over a DS version of Warlords, one of the finest turn-based strategy titles to hit home computers in the early 90s. If you've played Puzzle Quest, then you're already familiar with the series' fantasy world of Etheria.With Infinite Interactive already planning a commercial release of Warlords 2 for the DS, we can't imagine that they'd be too happy seeing games from their franchise put out for free. Still, it's great to see someone deliver these old favorites to our handhelds. Now all we need are ports of X-Com and Civilization![Via PAlib]
XBLA goes Puzzle Questing
Perhaps you've heard of Puzzle Quest. The game has caused quite a stir among DS fanboys the world over. If you're not up to speed on the game, suffice it to say that it is a hybrid puzzle game/RPG. No, that's not a joke. It's an RPG in which combat is decided by rounds of Bejeweled. Strange as it sounds, the game has managed to round up some impressive review scores. What does all of this have to do with the Xbox 360 you ask? Simple, D3 Publisher, publisher of Puzzle Quest, is bringing the title to Xbox Live Arcade. They're also behind Mad Tracks and RocketBowl (take that, Wii Sports!). While no official details about the game have been revealed, we can only assume that Puzzle Quest will feature online versus play.Expect to start seeing D3Publisher games on Xbox Live Arcade this year.[Via Joystiq]
D3 brings Puzzle Quest and friends to XBLA
D3Publisher has announced their plans to bring three titles ("the first of many") to Microsoft's bit-flinging Xbox Live Arcade service: Mad Tracks, RocketBowl (XBLA's first bowling game, they coo), and the addictive matching game Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Of course, Puzzle Quest is what we're really interested in here. We can imagine the XBLA version's HD graphics undoing the cramped constraints of the Nintendo DS release, while the delivery mechanism should bypass the PSP version's awkward loading pauses, and then there's Xbox Live integration for a proper multiplayer experience. Match up these three improvements to form the ultimate (albeit decidedly non-portable) version of Puzzle Quest![Thanks, Sherveen]
DS Fanboy Favorites: Eric's top five
All this week, the DS Fanboy staff is letting you in on a few of their favorite titles. Each day, a different member of the staff will present their personal top five DS games along with a snapshot of their gaming paraphernalia and habits, in an effort to provide our readers with a little more information on the tastes and personalities of our writers. When my afternoons aren't busied by hours of photoshopping cat heads onto pictures of my friends, I pass the time with puzzlers and plumbers on my DS Lite. But those kitten-free days are few and far between, so I end up being able to only fit either the most polished or the most eccentric games into my packed schedule. Wario: Master of Disguise? Sorry, I've got things to do and feline faces to retouch. Lost in Blue 2? I'll have to pass -- I'm already lost in trying to get these whiskers to look perfect. My collection is a mishmash of AAA titles and niche releases, their cases piled atop one another like a Jenga stack of mismatched blocks, threatening to topple over at any moment. Just pulling a game from the middle of the shaky structure is an act preceded by hours of anxiety and self-doubt. Having my wife provide commentary during the ordeal, remarking "Oh god, it's going to crash this time for sure, I just know it. Why'd you even try, Eric?! Game over, man! Game over!" as I tug out my copy of Advance Wars DS doesn't make the challenge any easier. So when I do manage to put aside the pussycat photos and secure a game to play, it better damn well be worth it. Journey forth and read which of those titles have captured a place not only on my top five list, but in my heart.
