Puzzlegeddon Review for Xbox 360

System: X360 (XBLA), PS3 (PSN), PC	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Pieces Interactive	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Tecmo	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Dec. 16, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1 (Multiple Online)	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Another issue is that the AI is spotty to say the least, and there's no excuse for it. Even the "easy" bots will destroy a beginner quickly, so plan on practicing for a while before the single-player game becomes fun and competitive. Players who improve and move on to harder bots will find them to be incredibly cheap, launching attacks before it's even possible to build up a defense. You don't see your opponents' screen of blocks, so it's not clear why it was so tough for the developers to make them fight fair. All the bots have to do is attack at a fair rate, defend when appropriate, and periodically use the disable and boost power-ups.

Puzzlegeddon screenshot

The inclusion of multiplayer really should go a long way toward making the AI problem irrelevant, but unfortunately, even a couple of weeks after the game released, we couldn't find anyone to play with (we tried several times with the Xbox version). Unless you and a friend can arrange to go online at the same time, don't plan on engaging in multiplayer action. There's no local multiplayer, another issue for which there's no excuse.

Control-wise, the game works about as well as it can. It's not quite as easy to move blocks around with a joystick as it is with a mouse (or, hypothetically, a Wii-mote), but it works, and once you get the hang of it, you can move fast. Whenever you use a special ability, the game helpfully displays a guide to which buttons use which resources, so you shouldn't waste items by accident.

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In terms of presentation, the game is impressive. The worlds you fight on are colorful and depicted in a pleasant art style, as are the blocks you move. The sound effects work well, and the music doesn't grate (though it doesn't stand out, either). Whatever complaints you have about the game, you'll never think it looks or feels amateurish.

When it comes right down to it, Puzzlegeddon is a decent idea, but its implementation feels incomplete. Those who love block-matching games and want a fresh challenge will want to pick it up, but most others should wait for the sequel.

By Robert VerBruggen
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.4

Graphics
This is a colorful, good-looking game, but it doesn't push the envelope.

3.8

Control
A gamepad doesn't work as well as a mouse or Wii-mote might, but the setup here is fine.

3.1

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The sound effects and music may be unremarkable, but at least they're not annoying.

2.8

Play Value
The various single and multiplayer modes provide a few different ways to play, but the lack of a campaign for the game's main mode hurts.

3.2

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

Game Features:

Puzzle action: Puzzle to collect resources and blast your enemies out of this world. It takes both speed and skill to earn the top spot on the planet. Battle against evil bots or puzzle to survive on a poisonous planet in challenging and addictive single-player modes.

Mini-game: Make a strong comeback from defeat by quickly completing The Dead Puzzler's Challenge, a fun mini-game in the realm of the dead.

Multiplayer: Challenge friends and foes online in various game modes for up to six players!

Custom game styles: Choose from many playable islands, each with their own unique theme and special skill. And customize your match rules with a crazy set of game rule modifiers to play the way you want.