BEJEWELED TWIST (DS)
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Publisher: PopCap Games.
Developer: Griptonite. Released: 2008. Genre: Puzzle. Other versions: PC. Posted 27th September 2012. By Chris Weatherley © 2012 |
I have always been
partial to a good puzzler, ever since a fateful encounter in the 90s with a
Nintendo Game Boy and a certain game called Tetris.
I wish I could recover those lost hours of my life playing said Russian
classic, along with other puzzle pixelisations. Pipemania, Columns, Plotting, Klax, Minesweeper and
many more have since been a source of entertainment to test the mind over the
years across all platforms, none more so than Popcap's Bejeweled, of which the DS version takes a new twist on things.
The original Bejeweled popped up in 2001 as a Flash-based online game. Like Tetris, it was based very closely on a Russian developed game called Shariki from 1988. The concept of the game is very straightforward. You have an 8x8 grid of six different coloured jewels, and have to match lines of three or more make them disappear and more jewels take their place in the grid. Doing this in a smart fashion gains points, multipliers and bonuses. You achieve this by swapping two jewels over from their positions next to each other, and you have to get a match of three or more for the move to be successful. Bejeweled Twist uses the same basic layout and matching concept, but instead of swapping jewels one by one, you have a cursor that highlights blocks of four jewels, that you turn by 90 degrees to match the jewels up. Unlike the normal version, this move can be done without achieving a match, but will lose you points and level of bonus if you do this. The different mechanics of the way the jewels are matched make it much more enjoyable and fast paced than the original, and opens up different game modes and targets in the process. After you have set your profile up in the usual DS fashion, it’s off and away into a jewel spinning frenzy!
It’s all set in a space-age environment, the upper screen showing an animated Bejeweled title screen, evoking memories of Arkanoid. Like the original game, matching four or more jewels creates special jewels. In 'Twist', these are similar. Unlike the original however, you get randomly appearing 'killer' gems that make your progress harder. Bomb Gems are the most common, and count down on every move you make. Doom gems are similar, but can't but matched. If either of these explode, it's game over. Coal gems can't be matched but give you extra points if blown up. Lock gems are the most annoying, as you cannot move them or the jewels they surround. Special jewels are used to in the game to combat these gems. The Flame gems explode by matching it, the Lightening Gem blasts out single vertical and horizontal lines of jewels. The Supernova gem does this too, but threefold and predictably difficult to get. The Fruit gem makes special things happen to other jewels on the board, some explode or give you more time with the Bomb and Doom Gems. A big aspect of the gameplay is points scoring, and this is achieved more quickly with chain matches and multipliers. The impressive-sounding mega-fruit bonus is the pinnacle of these prizes. I'll let you work out how this is done however, no spoilers here!
The original Bejeweled popped up in 2001 as a Flash-based online game. Like Tetris, it was based very closely on a Russian developed game called Shariki from 1988. The concept of the game is very straightforward. You have an 8x8 grid of six different coloured jewels, and have to match lines of three or more make them disappear and more jewels take their place in the grid. Doing this in a smart fashion gains points, multipliers and bonuses. You achieve this by swapping two jewels over from their positions next to each other, and you have to get a match of three or more for the move to be successful. Bejeweled Twist uses the same basic layout and matching concept, but instead of swapping jewels one by one, you have a cursor that highlights blocks of four jewels, that you turn by 90 degrees to match the jewels up. Unlike the normal version, this move can be done without achieving a match, but will lose you points and level of bonus if you do this. The different mechanics of the way the jewels are matched make it much more enjoyable and fast paced than the original, and opens up different game modes and targets in the process. After you have set your profile up in the usual DS fashion, it’s off and away into a jewel spinning frenzy!
It’s all set in a space-age environment, the upper screen showing an animated Bejeweled title screen, evoking memories of Arkanoid. Like the original game, matching four or more jewels creates special jewels. In 'Twist', these are similar. Unlike the original however, you get randomly appearing 'killer' gems that make your progress harder. Bomb Gems are the most common, and count down on every move you make. Doom gems are similar, but can't but matched. If either of these explode, it's game over. Coal gems can't be matched but give you extra points if blown up. Lock gems are the most annoying, as you cannot move them or the jewels they surround. Special jewels are used to in the game to combat these gems. The Flame gems explode by matching it, the Lightening Gem blasts out single vertical and horizontal lines of jewels. The Supernova gem does this too, but threefold and predictably difficult to get. The Fruit gem makes special things happen to other jewels on the board, some explode or give you more time with the Bomb and Doom Gems. A big aspect of the gameplay is points scoring, and this is achieved more quickly with chain matches and multipliers. The impressive-sounding mega-fruit bonus is the pinnacle of these prizes. I'll let you work out how this is done however, no spoilers here!
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The game is divided into various modes. In classic, it’s all about
point-scoring. The more points you score, the higher the level you get. It's a
nice place to start, as the difficulty increases at a steady rate, but it does
become challenging around level twelve. I set myself personal targets on this
mode, and it's quite satisfying to get them too. Also, you have free reign of
the game board and no time limit, so you can pretty much do what you want.
Classic is the only mode available when you first play the game. Getting to
specific targets unlocks the other modes in sequence, the next being zen. This
basically just like classic without the killer gems, and is themed like you are
travelling from planet to planet. This is an endless version of the game, with
the levels getting longer and longer requiring a higher points tally. There's
no target to achieve, so it's almost like a practice mode. I rarely play it as
it seems all rather pointless. The next mode is my personal favourite and something which I hadn't seen in previous versions of Bejeweled. You have set targets to
achieve in each of the eight puzzle scenarios, all represented as planets. When
you solve one puzzle, you unlock the next. It had me hooked this game mode, and
really got me into the game, because getting all the puzzles solved is very, very
hard, but not impossible. A good trait of a well designed puzzle game I
feel.
If any of you who have played the free Facebook Flash version of Bejeweled Blitz, this is in the same vain. Following the rules of classic mode without levelling up, you have five minutes to achieve the highest score possible. This is another absorbing version of the game, and is the most addictive of all the game modes. You just need to beat yourself every time! Finally, there is a Multiplayer mode included for head to head jewel exploding antics. This follows the same rules again, except instead of winning via points, you have to force your opponent to blow up a Bomb Gem. This is done by matching consecutively six times and launching a Bomb Gem onto their game-board. This continues until there is a winner. It's a fun game, but lacks the self discipline of the single player games and it really just a lark-around. These modes altogether as whole, the game play is consistent, accurate and fluid. It has been programmed to a high level, with very few bugs if any occurring. The cursor responds well to the stylus, the levels load quickly enough, and the movement and effects are nicely done without being to overblown. The exception to this would be when you get the mega fruit bonus. You are then subjected to a long animation and musical sequence that is extravagant and tiresome, even if it is fun the first time. There is nearly no slowdown at all, but if a particularly good match activates many bombs and subsequent chain matches in one sequence, the animation can falter slightly, but it's barely noticeable.
If any of you who have played the free Facebook Flash version of Bejeweled Blitz, this is in the same vain. Following the rules of classic mode without levelling up, you have five minutes to achieve the highest score possible. This is another absorbing version of the game, and is the most addictive of all the game modes. You just need to beat yourself every time! Finally, there is a Multiplayer mode included for head to head jewel exploding antics. This follows the same rules again, except instead of winning via points, you have to force your opponent to blow up a Bomb Gem. This is done by matching consecutively six times and launching a Bomb Gem onto their game-board. This continues until there is a winner. It's a fun game, but lacks the self discipline of the single player games and it really just a lark-around. These modes altogether as whole, the game play is consistent, accurate and fluid. It has been programmed to a high level, with very few bugs if any occurring. The cursor responds well to the stylus, the levels load quickly enough, and the movement and effects are nicely done without being to overblown. The exception to this would be when you get the mega fruit bonus. You are then subjected to a long animation and musical sequence that is extravagant and tiresome, even if it is fun the first time. There is nearly no slowdown at all, but if a particularly good match activates many bombs and subsequent chain matches in one sequence, the animation can falter slightly, but it's barely noticeable.
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As with any puzzle
game, the graphics are never going to break any boundaries, nor are they
required too, but definition, sharpness and colour separation is very
important. The vibrant colours used for the jewels and the softer tones used
for the backgrounds compliment each other nicely. No gem becomes invisible due
to camouflaging with the background or overlaying text and the game screen is
always clear to see and play. Some rather blocky moments occur with several animations
however. The graphics are fit for purpose though, and keep sharp and bright at
all times, making the game easy on the eye even for glasses wearers. Most of
this action is on the lower screen of course, but the upper screen does have a
role to play too. Whilst playing, the upper screen shows a space ship image
with the various bonus targets and multipliers in their progress during the
game. Again, this is clear and in bright colours. However, during loading the
next level, the upper screen displays a poorly drawn and animated spaceship
zooming off to another planet. This takes time too, and kind of delays the game
slightly. I think this is completely unnecessary, and looks pretty poor and
cheap compared the rest of the games graphics. It would not effect the flow of
the game if it were missing, if anything make it better. Good SFX can play a vital part of the addictiveness of
puzzlers, the Tetris theme undeniable
proof of this. Here, the sounds are good and fitting with the game. The creepy 7th Guest-ish voice-over is
present as with all Bejeweled games,
and is kind of a trademark the franchise. Explosions are loud and make for a nice
aside, as do the bleeps, sirens and crackles for matches and bonuses. Bejeweled Twist unfortunately has a
pretty annoying and rather distracting soundtrack during game time. This can be
turned off of course; I recommend you do this instantly before playing. You
will thank me for it. Tetris still
has the only bearable soundtrack for me in the realms of puzzle game musical
scoring.
If you are a puzzle game fan, then Bejeweled is a game you would have surely played in the last ten years, and this version is even better than the original in terms on addictiveness and challenge. If like me you found the ordinary format of the game a little boring after a while, this alternate way of playing the game livens things up considerably. I like the fact that by turning the jewels opens up much more depth into the concept, and with the added 'killer' gems, for me this is the best version of the game to date. Addictive, difficult in places and presented nicely, the balance is just right. It's neither a pushover nor an impossibility to clock the game, so it holds up well and you get value for money. A very fine little jewel-buster to fritter away the spare hours, and to lightly test the grey-matter too that doesn't involve numbers. Popcap's jewel in the crown twists again!
If you are a puzzle game fan, then Bejeweled is a game you would have surely played in the last ten years, and this version is even better than the original in terms on addictiveness and challenge. If like me you found the ordinary format of the game a little boring after a while, this alternate way of playing the game livens things up considerably. I like the fact that by turning the jewels opens up much more depth into the concept, and with the added 'killer' gems, for me this is the best version of the game to date. Addictive, difficult in places and presented nicely, the balance is just right. It's neither a pushover nor an impossibility to clock the game, so it holds up well and you get value for money. A very fine little jewel-buster to fritter away the spare hours, and to lightly test the grey-matter too that doesn't involve numbers. Popcap's jewel in the crown twists again!
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Similar to...
Bejeweled
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VERDICT
Visual: 8/10
Audio: 7/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Longevity: 8/10 OVERALL: 8/10 |