GamesRelay

Name: Puzzle Kingdoms

When you play a puzzle game, you look for a few things to make it a worthwhile title. Something that you know you won't get bored of after a few days. Unlike the days of Tetris when the new and exciting game conquered game fans all over the world and became a classic simply because there wasn't much choice in the puzzle genre. But should a puzzle game continue on this legacy, or does re-releasing more of the same old, make you think twice about even trying these new puzzle games?

Thankfully, the developers behind Puzzle Kingdoms – Infinite Interactive, have taken the puzzle genre a step further. Combining a role-playing strategy game with a puzzler is something fairly new and fresh to the market compared to other genres. Infinite Interactive's predecessor to Puzzle Kingdoms – Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords received quite a reception with critics and won quite a few fans. Combining the best parts of an RPG with a Puzzle game added more depth to an ageing puzzle genre.

Puzzle Kingdoms takes the RPG and Puzzle formula from its predecessor but changes to the battle system add-in a more strategic feel to the gameplay, slowing things down and making you think more about your next move. While the backdrop to the game isn't enthralling, the game is set in the fantasy world of Etheria which is part of the Warlords series of games, where you, a warlord, are tasked with completing the puzzles and recruiting heroes which you will take into battle throughout the single player campaign. The story behind the game is pretty thin, it comes across as just an excuse to give the whole game a purpose, providing you with walls of text for the story before you carry on to your next puzzle.

The game isn't a constant game of puzzles however. With a world map which you can travel to play extra mini-games, find and search dungeons for treasure and spells and recruit troops at taverns, it makes a nice break from the main quest which you have to complete. The mini-games aren't just there as a diversion though, completing them will net you new upgrades, items or information.

As a warlord, the heroes you take with you benefit from experience by gaining new abilities and spells to use in battle similar to the original game. Recruiting heroes isn't the only part of the gameplay however; collecting gold throughout the puzzles will allow you to recruit different troops to use in battle. Like a domination game you must keep your units alive as if you don't plan your strategy to keep enough gold to buy more units, once they die, its game over. Choosing your hero is also something you need to consider since each one comes with his own unique strengths and weaknesses. Your basic troops will also influence your play style, from your basic Peasant, to your Knight, each have their own attack types, damage and health, so finding the right balance between your hero and troops is key to winning the game.

Like the original, Puzzle Kingdoms comes shipped with offline multiplayer for those wanting to challenge a friend. The multiplayer aspect of the game is fairly sub-standard, only offering a one on one match with a random hero and set of troops, but it is better than not including any multiplayer at all. Having a game with a friend can be quite fun though it's not the quickest game to play on the move.

Unlike the original game however is the graphics. The art for the game is fairly standard and uninspiring. Characters are represented by simple 2D artwork with very little animation throughout the game. The same goes for the sound. While the music has an orchestral feel and is actually quite good and epic in a tiny Nintendo DS sort of way, the sound effects are dull and horribly implemented which make the whole experience fade out instead of bringing you in.

Puzzle Kingdoms on the Wii and DS are pretty much identical bar a few minor differences, these include the controls for the Wii's motion controls and the graphics. The graphics on the Wii are still sub-standard compared to nearly all other Wii titles which is a shame considering it could of been much more. The motion controls on the Wii however do come across as a waste of energy, having to swing the remote around to do simple actions like attack seems pointless when it's easier to use the stylus on the DS to slide the relevant blocks into position. With the two platforms being almost identical, it really boils down to whether you want to sit on your couch swinging your arms around or use the DS's stylus ease of use, and have the portability to take it on the go.

The game does fall short of expectations for players of the original Puzzle Quest game from Infinite Interactive. Since the first one was well received, high hopes were set for the sequel, but what seems like low production values, put a negative on what underneath is a solid RPG/Strategy Puzzler. For players of the original wanting more of the same, you shouldn't find yourself too disappointed with Puzzle Kingdoms, so don't be put off by the graphics and sound. For new players, the solid gameplay and focus on strategy equal a good game which is more than just a simpler Puzzler, so as long as you're willing to forgive the few niggles, you will find a rewarding experience for either your Wii or your DS.