Puzzle Guzzle

Quiz mode is the only non-competitive option, where you're tasked with carefully rotating a set of blocks to make a specific shape, like a heart or a spaceship. It gets remarkably difficult as the puzzles progress, because one small wrong move can completely destroy any progress you've made, forcing you to start again from scratch (think of the capture puzzles in Puzzle Quest and you'll get the idea). Given the simple concept, it's quite commendable that such a wide variety is achieved in the three modes without deviating from the core concept of rotating blocks to make shapes.

In simple puzzle games, presentation often goes a long way. A large part of what makes some puzzle games so addictive are the little things: the tingly shattering noise of destroying a large power gem in Puzzle Fighter, the satisfying zap of ravaging your opponent with a skull attack in Puzzle Quest, or the violent catapulting of blocks in Meteos. Puzzle Guzzle simply lacks any charm in its presentation, and therefore lacks that "just one more round" quality of superior puzzle games.

Not only is the overall presentation forgettable, it's relentlessly so; the blue and orange visuals and generic sound effects remain constant throughout the game. The least we could have hoped for is a little variety, like different color palettes as you progress through the game. Still, it's a great concept (and a good value at $20) that's fun in short bursts, just don't expect it to become your latest addiction.  

Mar 17, 2008