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Marvel Puzzle Quest free-to-play on Steam, boosted by priced packs
D3 Publisher's Marvel Puzzle Quest: Dark Reign is now available on Steam. The free-to-play game mixes the Marvel superheroes universe with the Puzzle Quest franchise, combining match-three-style puzzle action with RPG trappings such as special abilities leveling systems. Given that the game is free to play, D3 Publisher is also offering three premium content packs that grant players in-game points/currency to recruit new characters to their teams, train their powers and purchase health packs and other gameplay boosts. The packs are priced at $10, $40 and $100, respectively. Marvel Puzzle Quest previously launched on iOS and Android in October.
Xbox Live features Planets Under Attack, big board, card, and puzzle game sale this week
Yes, the majority of you will probably be playing Halo 4 or Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on Xbox Live this week. This we know. But just in case you're looking for something else, Major Nelson has a whole list of new content on Xbox Live this week. Perhaps, for example, the new version of Atari's Warlords, available for 800 Microsoft Points. Or one of three new Kinect Sports games, for 240 points each, or an XBLA version of Targem Games' Planets Under Attack, for a full 1200 points.There's a sale on, too: Carcassone, Catan, Magic: The Gathering, Magic 2012, Super Puzzle Fighter HD, and the two Puzzle Quest titles are all half off, for just 400 Microsoft Points each, and Ubisoft's I Am Alive is 33% off, down to 800 Microsoft Points. A downloadable course pack for Tiger 13 is as 50% off, and that's not all. Later on this week, Major Nelson says Microsoft will be hosting an "Xbox Live is 10" sale, which will include discounts on some content, as well as giveaways to some Xbox Live members "who have been with us the longest."We mean, sure, it'll mostly be Halo 4 and Black Ops 2. But just in case, there's some good deals there, too.
Puzzle Quest: a role-playing gem
This is a weekly column from freelancer Rowan Kaiser, which focuses on "Western" role-playing games: their stories, their histories, their mechanics, their insanity, and their inanity. Puzzle Quest: Challenge Of The Warlords is one most inspiring role-playing games of recent years. It tends to fall out of the conversation compared to more traditional, big-budget fare like Skyrim, Dragon Age, The Witcher, or Fallout. But that's to be expected – big money means big marketing and more discussion. But while the blockbuster games can be great, but so can the surprising little games.This is part of what made Puzzle Quest so exciting – there would have been no expectation that a small, (initially) handheld hybrid puzzle game would be something special. As an underdog story, it's compelling to see such a game have such success, spawning ports, sequels, and spinoffs. As a long-time PC gamer, I also enjoyed watching the world of Warlords III depicted in a surprising new fashion. And, of course, the game itself is excellent.But those aren't the main reason that Puzzle Quest is worth examining for this column. That would be its combat system, a form of Bejeweled-style, "Match Three" puzzle gameplay. This use of puzzle-based, abstract combat created a new dimension of role-playing combat. Traditional models of tactical, or hybrid real-time/turn-based, or action-style systems didn't apply to Puzzle Quest. It was both something new, and, by following Bejeweled, something already respected and comfortable.%Gallery-8259%
NintendoWare Weekly: Puzzle Quest, Overflow
We certainly didn't expect Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords to be released on DS this week, mostly because it was released on DS in 2007. But new publisher 1st Playable Productions has surprised us all with a DSiWare version. If you missed out on it then, you can get it now without undertaking a heroic journey to the store. In addition to subverting our expectations with a "new" game from four years ago, DSiWare also hosts a shmup about conserving ammo. Meanwhile, WiiWare features a game about ... pouring liquids. But, like, with puzzles and stuff.
Interview: Firemint's Rob Murry and Steve Faulkner of Infinite Interactive
Firemint and Infinite Interactive surprised us all the other day with the news that the one company was buying the other, but Firemint's Rob Murray and Infinite's Steve Fawkner weren't surprised themselves. "We've actually been talking about this for years, going back to 2006," Murray told TUAW today. Fawkner actually showed Murray a prototype of his company's Puzzle Quest game back in the day, and that reportedly encouraged Murray to start a game of his own that eventually became Flight Control, which itself spawned the Firemint company. "It's always been in the back of our minds, sometimes we've talked about it. It's only now that we've been able to make it possible." So the first question is: why now? It turns out that the two companies may have more in common than we think. "The studios have evolved with similar kinds of ideas and similar kinds of things," says Fawkner. "We've wanted to get into digital distribution for a long time, and Rob's already headed down that path, so it really made sense to go ahead and bring the studios together and go along that path together."
Firemint acquires Puzzle Quest dev Infinite Interactive
You'd think after selling a billion iPhone games, the Firemint crew, makers of those Flight Control and Real Racing games on your phone, would go buy a boat or something. But, oh no, they had to be "smart" with their money, acquiring Puzzle Quest developer Infinite Interactive to form an even stronger, more independent operation, which "works exclusively on self-published original games." Who do these guys think they are ... PopCap? It would seem that Firemint starter Rob Murray and Infinite Interactive founder Steve Fawkner, both Aussies, have been casually strategizing for years now. "Steve and I have been talking about working together for a long time, and I remember him showing me an early version of Puzzle Quest," Murray recalled. "This inspired me to make a game during my own holidays two years later, which was Flight Control -- and now, another two years later, we've finally found a way to work together!" (The financial terms of the deal haven't been disclosed.) Infinite Interactive will merge into Firemint's "recently expanded" (how convenient!) offices in Melbourne and continue work on some kind of infectious game that could endanger world health at a bargain price. And then, they'll all probably buy a fleet of boats and retire into Port Phillip Bay. [Image credit: Firemint]
iPhone developer Firemint buys Infinite Interactive, makers of Puzzle Quest
Wow. Color me surprised on this one -- I've been joking around lately about iPhone company acquisitions and buyouts, but here are two companies that never occurred to me. Firemint, creators of the popular Flight Control and Real Racing 2 games on iOS, has outright purchased Infinite Interactive, the company behind a bevy of console and handheld console titles, including the very popular (and personal favorite of mine) Puzzle Quest series. Game designer Steve Fawkner founded Infinite Interactive and first met Firemint's Rob Murray in 2003, and according to the press release, he even got Murray's feedback on the first Puzzle Quest title. Fawkner will go to work for Firemint, presumably making his own games as well as helping to adapt Firemint's popular games for other platforms. What a deal. All we have so far is the official press release (both companies are based in Australia, so this news arrived on their time), but we'll look at contacting Firemint later on this week to ask about the reasoning and timing behind the deal. Infinite Interactive isn't a huge company, but the fact that Firemint straight up acquired them is just as impressive as the possibilities for these two more and more experienced developers to be working together. This could have interesting consequences for Firemint's games both on and off of the iOS platform.
Puzzle Quest 2 drops on XBLA June 30
Clear your schedule, Xbox 360 owners: you're going to have an ongoing appointment with some gems in the next couple of weeks. D3 Publisher has announced a June 30 release date for the XBLA version of Puzzle Quest 2, at a price of 1200 Microsoft Points. If you're wondering how you'll possibly survive the agonizing nine-day wait, may we suggest the DS version of the same game? It's out ... tomorrow.%Gallery-95954%
Puzzle Quest Chapters 1 and 2 free on iPhone this weekend
Whether you're bored, cheap or in desperate need of a new on-the-go gaming addiction (perhaps for that long flight out to the west coast for a major electronic entertainment convention?), you'll want to hop on the App Store with all available haste to take advantage of a pretty wicked offer. For this weekend only, the first two installments in the pseudo-episodic iPhone version of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords have been rolled into one totally free package. The third (and final) chapter of the game is still selling at its usual retail price of $1.99, but we wouldn't worry too much about that. It's not like you'll be compelled to get that far in the game because it's super, super addictive or anything. Download: Puzzle Quest Chapters 1 and 2 (Free)
Hands-on: Puzzle Quest 2
"So would you call this a return to form?" I asked Infinite Interactive's Steve Fawkner right before I picked up the controller to play Puzzle Quest 2. "Yes, very much so," he replied. Fawkner isn't shy about admitting that Puzzle Quest Galactrix deserved a few of the lumps it got from fans ("They didn't like it when minigames blocked progress on the main game"), and so when his team set out to create a full-fledged sequel to the gem-matching, role-playing hit, they wanted a good mix of updated gameplay that didn't stray too far from what made the first title so good. And from my short play session, it seems that's exactly what they got. A lot has changed from the first Puzzle Quest, and while fans will miss a few things (my beloved Druid class is gone!), most of the changes are in service to, and succeed at, making the game more fun. %Gallery-88301%
Puzzle Quest 2 footage gets you from point A to point B
Yes, we know you're upset that Puzzle Quest 2's completely addictive gem-swapping sessions will be interrupted by primitive world traversal -- why can't we just bounce from fight to fight on an overworld map like civilized humans? Try not to get your knickers in a twist; based on the trailer above, it doesn't look like traveling between levels will be too taxing of an ordeal. Especially if you just teleport to where you're headed, which may actually reduce the amount of downtime between brawls. Now that's more like it. Check out the trailer to see Puzzle Quest 2's exploration in action, and to get a quick glimpse of the game that's going to devour our free time next month.
Puzzle Quest 2 coming to DS June 22
We know there have been plenty of pretenders to the Puzzle Quest throne, many developed/perpetrated by developer Infinite Interactive itself. But do you still remember? Is there a place in your memory for those seemingly countless hours you spent peering into your DS, hoping to line up enough red gems to get off that last fire spell before you were overwhelmed by a giant spider? Do you remember? More importantly: Have the countless clones and wannabes completely dulled your desire for a return to the world of puzzle quest? You'll have on opportunity to answer that question for yourself as publisher D3 has just announced that the follow-up, Puzzle Quest 2, will arrive in North American shops on June 22 according to Shacknews. Can't wait a month? OK, fine, here. Just don't spoil your dinner. %Gallery-88300%
Puzzle Quest 2 'Mage Trainer' demo cast onto Facebook
If you've played the impossibly addictive gem-swapping RPG known as Puzzle Quest, you probably won't find yourself in uncharted waters when you check out the game's upcoming sequel, due out this June. Still, if you need a refresher course, or if you're an untainted newbie, you should check out the Puzzle Quest 2 Mage Trainer game on Facebook. It serves as a surprisingly comprehensive demonstration of what the series' combat feels like, though it lacks some of Puzzle Quest's RPG trappings. Mercifully enough, it also lacks Puzzle Quest's hyper-repetitive music.
Puzzle Quest 2 trailer is a real gem
Infinite Interactive and D3 Publisher would like to remind you that they have claimed your free time this spring. Puzzle Quest 2 is on the way, bringing back the diabolical alchemy of match-three puzzles and fantasy role-playing that turned us all into gem-hoarding monsters the first time. As the trailer above shows, Puzzle Quest 2 features an entirely new storyline, so we'll get to meet new characters just as memorable as whoever it was we were playing as between rounds of the puzzle game last time. %Gallery-88300% %Gallery-88301%
European PSN releases for December 17
It's a holiday miracle! Though there are a few intriguing items in this week's PSN update (such as the long overdue release of Braid, a demo for Army of Two: The 40th Day and Beatles: Rock Band's "Rubber Soul" DLC), the highlight of this latest update is the delectable set of discounts. Some games have had their prices temporarily reduced, such as Battlefield 1943 and Burnout Paradise. Others, such as Puzzle Quest and The Cube, have been permanently encheapened. Click past the jump to see the full list of additions and discounts! Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Worms 2, Galactrix half-off at Amazon [update]
Update: As some commenters have pointed out, it looks like the deals are no longer available. We hope you managed to snag one. We bet you were really hoping to not spend an extra five dollars today. We're sure you thought to yourself that you've got plenty of games to play and, honestly, what could you buy with five bucks anyway? The answer: Worms 2: Armageddon on Xbox Live Arcade. The good people at CheapCollegeGamers have uncovered a pair of great deals on Amazon. First and foremost, Worms 2 is available for a paltry $5, fifty percent off the usual $10 price tag. If you don't have it already, it would be crazy not to buy it at that price. Amazon is also offering Puzzle Quest: Galactrix at a discounted price of $10, half of the normal $20 cost. Granted, it's not quite as easy to recommend Galactrix as Worms 2, but $10 is a much more palatable price. Now go buy Worms 2. Source: Amazon - Worms 2: Armageddon Source: Amazon - Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
D3 Publisher: Puzzle Quest 2 won't have Galactrix's load time issues
As exciting as the prospect of Puzzle Quest in Space might have been, the excitement offered by Galactrix was completely derailed by the game's outrageously lengthy load times. However, in a recent interview with Kotaku, D3 Publisher's Michael Cerven claimed that the recently announced Puzzle Quest 2 won't be plagued by the frequent intermissions, as developer Infinite Interactive "rebuilt the DS engine from the ground up to be fast and perform smoothly with very quick load times as opposed to retrofitting the lead SKU code for the DS." If Cerven's claims are true, we suppose this is good news for the impatient puzzle-solvers out there. However, we got so much stuff done during Galactrix's near-constant loading screens. We even learned to speak Esperanto! Ĉi tiu estas rakonto pri videoludoj!
Samurai Puzzle Battle getting GotY edition
I hadn't even thought about it, but sure enough, we're coming up on the end of the year, and there'll be quite a few iPhone titles in the running for best mobile game of the year. This certainly isn't the first year we've seen a nice crop of App Store picks coming out, but it's the best so far. One of my favorites, Samurai Puzzle Battle, isn't even waiting for the choices -- they've announced that they'll be releasing a Game of the Year edition very soon, with improved graphics and better online features. The game itself is a Puzzle Quest-style mix of RPG and gem matching gameplay, with extra modes that allow you to play a full campaign, or just jump in and match some gems. It's a lot of fun, and I can't wait to see what the new version looks like. The update will be a free upgrade for current owners, and we haven't yet seen a price to buy outright (though it probably will be less than the original $4.99 price, probably closer to $1.99). I don't know that I'd choose the game for Game of the Year quite yet, but it's great to hear that a good game is getting better.
Puzzle Quest 2 coming to DS, XBLA in Spring 2010
Though we're confident Infinite Interactive's Puzzle Quest 2 will eventually be a mega-multiplatform release like its predecessor, D3Publisher announced that the game's roll-out will start on DS and Xbox Live Arcade. It'll be out in spring 2010, along with every other game you've ever heard of, which means that you'll now have the choice to play all those games or Puzzle Quest. They'll occupy about the same amount of time. Puzzle Quest 2 will let players match gems as one of four new character classes: War Mage, Inquisitor, Barbarian, or Assassin, using "all-new weapons, spells, and shields." Sorry if you just got over a Puzzle Quest addiction.
Puzzle Quest sequel revealed
It appears that GamePro will reveal the first details of Puzzle Quest 2 in its next issue. Beyond a single image, the mag doesn't drop any details on its website. After Infinite Interactive went a tad off course with Galactrix -- meanwhile, developing Puzzle Kingdoms, Puzzle Chronicles and Neopets Puzzle Adventure -- it's good to see the team going back to its roots. From the image, it seems that Puzzle Quest 2 is being developed for Xbox 360, but if it's anything like its predecessor, the game will eventually release on every console, handheld and electronic device known to man. One can also deduce that purple is now a rune for spells instead of XP. But what purpose do the gloves serve? We're sure to learn more very soon.
