Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
Given the success of the first title, it's really no surprise that a sequel was quickly put into production. After a little over a year Puzzle Quest: Galactrix has come out, but it's not exactly a direct sequel. While the original game had the fantasy world setting, Galactrix takes things where no man has gone before. Set amongst the stars, you step into the command boots of a young pilot who is out to make a crew, build their status, and make something of themselves. There's political intrigue and science fiction cliches aplenty, but in all fairness the story is paper thin anyways and only a backdrop to the gameplay.
Gameplay
Like the first Puzzle Quest title, Galactrix is a puzzle game infused with RPG elements. It plays out almost identical to the first installment with one exception; the game board is designed more like Hexic than Bejeweled. That may seem like a small difference, but with the hexagonal shapes the game board changes slightly and you have to rethink some strategies.
Before I get into the puzzle component let's fill you in on the basics of gameplay. In Galactrix, things are similar to how they were in the original Puzzle Quest. That means you'll move your character around the map, investigate locations, search for items, take on missions, and fight bad guys. It should be nothing new if you've ever played an RPG, because you also gain experience for leveling up, and money for buying new gear.
Fighting is where the heart and soul of Puzzle Quest is though, since it's really where the core gameplay lies. You and your opponent each of an experience level and starting health amount, along with an energy shield since this is futuristic after all. You each take turns playing on the jewel board, and from there different things will happen.
At its most basic Puzzle Quest: Galactrix wants you to connect three jewels of the same color. Simple enough, right? By selecting an appropriate tile with your stylus you can swap it with an adjacent one. This shifts those cell's positions and makes replacement tiles pile in with whatever direction you moved. So if you shift a tile from left to right, that's how the off-board pieces will move in. This allows you to create chains of completions and set off combos for extra points and a lengthier turn.
In Galactrix there are seven different tiles to choose from, and depending how you build up your character you'll want to be selective about which tiles you decide to complete. If you're unfamiliar with what I'm talking about, then you should know that since this game is part role-playing game you'll have equipment, weapons, and skills at your disposal. Each of these items utilizes Red, Green, or Yellow energy as fuel. A prime example is a ship's basic laser weapon which uses Red energy to deal five points of damage to your opponent.
Blue tiles will replace your energy shield when you complete a row, Silver ones will give you experience, and purple ones will give you money. Keep an eye out for damage tiles as well because if you connect them they tally up an amount of hurt for your opponent. This is the main source of damage you'll have at your disposal early on. As you play the game you and your opponent will be trading blows via the damage tiles, and depending on how you harvest the red, green, and yellow energy, you'll be using your equipment as well. It's a very deep system that is extremely addictive and it gets more and more rewarding as you play through the game.
The puzzle board does change slightly for some other elements as well. You play through a series of mini-games when you want to hack open a Leapgate (which gives you access to other areas), barter for deals, or forge new equipment. It's all useful stuff to be sure, and it takes a long time before it gets tiresome, but unfortunately due to the amount of play it does get old sooner than it should. I only wish the developer did something a little different with some of these mini-games just to break the monotony up a bit. It's not game-breaking by any stretch of the imagination, but it just makes the game wear out sooner than it should.
There is a multiplayer component as well, so if you want to play against a friend you can, but the meat of Puzzle Quest undeniably lies in its single player quest. Thankfully just the like the first game, Galactrix's campaign is extensive with tons of room for exploration and customization. That's kind of a flaw as well though, because at the beginning of the game you're basically just dropped into the middle of a vast solar system with virtually no direction. If you come to Galactrix without knowledge of the first Puzzle Quest, then you're going to have a tough time out of the gate. It's definitely a hands-on learning curve, though that's not necessarily a bad thing I suppose.
In many ways Galactrix is a successful sequel to the original Puzzle Quest. The gameplay is every bit as rich and deep as it was before, and all of the components are back with a different coat of paint. I do wish the developer took more chances and changed things up a bit, because as it stands it feels like Puzzle Quest 1.5 set in the future. Then again, fans will probably like that. Standing on its own Galactrix is fun, addictive, and engaging. Consider it highly recommended.
Graphics
Much like the first Puzzle Quest, Galactrix is no visual tour de force. The game features a very simple, clean interface that is more serviceable than it fancy. This is fine and dandy though, and if you enjoyed the original game you'll undoubtedly be pleased enough. There's some attractive character artwork, some nice ship designs, and you can easily see what weapons both you and your opponent have in their arsenal. That's really all you need with a title like this, though some more sparkle definitely would have gone a long way to bolstering things.
Sound
Likewise the sound in Galactrix is basic, unassuming, and functional. The effects are all decent enough though there's nothing you really won't find in another puzzle game. The music is good as well and the soundtrack is full of nice tunes. Granted some of the scores here would fit better in Challenge of the Warlords than in Galactrix, but they are fine just the same.
Conclusion
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix is a lot of fun and it reminds me why I enjoyed the first game as much as I did. The simple puzzle interface combined with the role-playing elements go together like peanut butter and chocolate. I also appreciate the change to a Hexic style board and the implementation of science fiction elements. With that being said the gameplay doesn't feel quite as fresh as it did with the original, and the presentational merits are more functional than flashy. The flaws in Galactrix are nitpicky at best, and what you have here is a solid production that is a blast to play. If you own a DS and you like puzzle games there is absolutely no reason not to pick this game up.