Puzzle Quest By Utziem on Dec 28, 2007 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

Puzzle Quest is a hybrid puzzle/RPG game that is based on the popular PopCap! Flash game Bejewelled. In a Puzzle Quest battle, you match colored blocks to build up mana to cast spells, skulls to cause damage to your opponent, stars to gain experience, and gold to buy items and expansions. Beyond this simple concept is a world of strategy – choosing your next move may make the difference between a huge combo or a dud match. Gold and experience let you upgrade your character with new spells and statistical upgrades. Placing points into Battle skill does more damage when you match skulls, while elemental masteries cause you to gain more mana when matching jewels. Conquering other kingdoms provides you with more gold, while expanding your party and capturing monsters provides new skills and spells.

Beyond the battle system, RPG exploration occurs on a 2D waypoint-based map that contains your bases, other towns that provide quests, and battle sites. The story unfolds via text and sprites during story quests. The story itself is a bit bland and is a bit of an afterthought to keep the game moving. Graphics and sound are basic and seem like a bit of an afterthought. After awhile you'll mute your DS to keep that music from playing.

Overall Puzzle Quest is great for a 15 minute battle on the train to work, or a deep strategy puzzle game for hours of entertainment.