| Introduction
To preface this review, I'll give you a little taste
of my gaming preferences. 1) I do enjoy and play the
Game Boy Pokémon games. 2) I am a puzzle game
fanatic. 3) I believe a good game is a good game no
matter what characters are attached to it.
Basically... this game was made for a person like
me.
GamePlay
Gameplay is relatively simple, like any good puzzle
game should be. The basic idea is to line up similar
colored blocks in horizontal or vertical lines of at
least three. Sounds easy enough, right? Of course it
does. However... this puzzle game requires a lot of
forward thinking in order to really get the big points
(and also a chance to unlock secrets!). Larger scores
are obtained by zapping more than 3 blocks at a time,
and/or setting up chain reactions of 2 or more in a
series of combos. This is where the most strategy is
needed since you really have to plan ahead in order
to get the score maxing combos.
Game modes include a) Marathon - the staple endless
mode of puzzle game b) Challenge - the "Story Mode"
of the game where most of the secrets are earned c)
Time Zone - get the max score in the time limit allowed
d) Line Clear - clear out a specified number of lines
to progress in a mini story like mode e) Puzzle - interesting
and very challenging mode where you need to clear all
the blocks in a specified number of moves and f) Garbage
- mode that mimics the BLOCKER blocks of the 2-Player
Vs. mode in a one player package.
There are also Training and Practice modes to help
out new players and also to give you a little more insight
as to how combos and the deeper aspects of the game
work.
Most time will most likely be spent honing your skills
in the Marathon mode since that is where you can really
cut loose. The other modes like Time Zone, Line Clear
and Garbage are more diversions to the real game but
are really worthwhile. You may not spend most of your
time with these but it is really nice to have them when
other areas of the game are getting you to pull your
hair out. :-) Puzzle mode is very interesting and loads
of fun, while the skill level ramps up at a reasonable
pace. The later levels will really have you stumped
for a while. A limited number of hints are available
(hint: the better you play early on, the more hints
you'll have later in the game when you really might
want them.)
Control
Control is as simple as could be. You have
a 1x2 horizontal box, which allows you to either switch
two blocks or move a block over if you only highlight
one of them. It really can't be any easier. You
can even change the control setup if you like, swapping
the "switch" button with the "raise level"
button. There is also the ever so handy pause
feature as well.
Graphics
Being a Game Boy Color Only game, the graphics a
notch above previous Pokémon games. The in game
graphics are very bright and colorful. The Challenge
mode cut scenes are incredible! After completing sections
of the Challenge and Puzzle modes, you will even unlock
screens that you encounter throughout the game.
Sound & Music
Sound and music are very good as far as Game Boy
standards go. The game features a lot of remixed Pokémon
songs that will be instantly familiar to any fan. In
game music is catchy and does not induce nervous system
damage like many Game Boy games tend to do. Sound FX
are also adequate for a puzzle game but let's face it...
it doesn't take that much to make a puzzle game sound
good.
Final Comments
Puzzle and Pokéfans will enjoy this game.
Puzzle fans that harbor a hatred for the cutesy little
critters are doing themselves a disservice by not trying
this game. It is a wonderful puzzle game, jam packed
with plenty of play options and hours and hours of gameplay
designed to provide a fast and frantic puzzling experience.
As a good friend of mine that I work with who I convinced
to give this game a shot said, "This game is like
crack!" It's addictive, it's challenging and it's
filled with all that makes a good puzzle game good.
If you like puzzle games like Tetris and Puyo Puyo,
you will love this game.
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