Puzzle Quest: Galactrix Review for Nintendo DS

System: X360, PS3, PC, DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Infinite Interactive	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: D3 Publisher	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Feb. 24, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

The presentation is quite excellent! I've played preview builds of the upcoming Xbox 360 version, and the DS outing gives it a run for its money. All the characters and game boards are sharp and highly detailed. The only bit that doesn't quite meet muster is the maps and ship sprites. The ship portraits are pretty and colorful, but the tiny maps and Geometry Wars-like vessels aren't quite up to snuff.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix screenshot

I did get a chuckle from the audio presentation. The game's theme seems like it was pulled directly from Sci-Fi's Battlestar Galactica. In fact, the entire game seems to have been greatly inspired by the television series. Overall, I think that's a good thing. The sound effects are also pretty tight, if not completely remarkable.

Galactrix also offers head-to-head multiplayer support, though multiple carts are needed. This allows you to challenge friends who think they're good at swapping gems, but it would have been great to challenge the world through Nintendo WFC. Sadly, network support is not included.

The crew at Infinite Interactive did a fantastic job of continuing the Puzzle Quest series without letting it get bogged down in the mire of unoriginality. The story is great, the presentation is slick and polished, the puzzles are challenging, varied, and fresh, and the new setting really makes things unique. Puzzle quest: Galactrix is one of the deepest puzzlers you'll ever play, and it is a worthy sequel to the excellent original. If you own a DS, like puzzles, sci-fi, and/or RPGs, Galactrix should be your next purchase!

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.4

Graphics
The character models and game boards are dynamic and colorful. Unfortunately, the maps and ship sprites are uninspired.

5.0

Control
The touch-screen controls are ideal for such a game.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The music seems to be taken straight from Battlestar Galactica - a theme that seems to be echoed throughout the title.

4.5

Play Value
This is a game you can play over and over again. The puzzles are fun and varied, the CPU opponent's are challenging, and playing against friends through wireless communication is a nice feature.

4.4

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Create a persistent pilot who gains skills and ships as he completes more battles.

Each enemy you fight will require different tactics.

Individual battles require only 5-10 minutes of time.

Experience a conquer-the-galaxy style campaign mode.

Find new objects to make your pilot and ship all-powerful.

Trade supplies throughout the galaxy to increase your wealth.

Meet companions who will join your crew and aid you in battle.