Puzzle Quest: DS and PSP

[geneshifter]

I am really liking this game. It is a mix of bejeweled with an RPG and I really didn't think I'd like it. I was wondering if anyone else is playing this game? I bought the PSP version but I heard the DS version is good, too, just with lesser graphics.

[UndeadKing]

I'm thinking of getting it. I'd heard that the PSP version has a flaw where none of the companion bonuses work. :-(

[geneshifter]

Yeah, i was just speaking with someone about this. I guess i just didn't notice it but it does not work apparently on the PSP version. I think it doesn't really matter all that much, anyway, because a big part of winning is just the randomness of the draw every match. I've battled enemies where I would lose very badly the first time and them immediately refight and beat the crap out of them. Still, the small bonuses the companions offer might help some in those bad draw matches, but it's not too big a deal.

The main bug that might drive some of you crazy is the hitching the first time a sound or graphic is loaded. It lasts for about 1 sec or so and disappears after the first time, but I can see where it would drive some people crazy. I just prefer playing these types of games on my PSP and enjoy the good graphics. Otherwise, i would get the DS version. I may get it anyway just to have it for both.

[mailman187666]

I am playing this game right now and am highly addicted to it. I'm suprised this game isn't exremely popular. I have the PSP version and I was looking at the party members to see what kinds upgrades I get and it doesn't seem to work right. Any word on whether or not they'd have a patch for this available at some point. I've also had the game freeze on me a couple times, but I'm starting to wonder if its just my PSP starting to freeze the games.

But as far as this game goes, I've been havin' lots of fun with it and have been having a hard time putting it down. My favorite puzzle game yet.

[Snapple]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2007/20070326.jpg

[geneshifter]

I am playing this game right now and am highly addicted to it. I'm suprised this game isn't exremely popular. I have the PSP version and I was looking at the party members to see what kinds upgrades I get and it doesn't seem to work right. Any word on whether or not they'd have a patch for this available at some point. I've also had the game freeze on me a couple times, but I'm starting to wonder if its just my PSP starting to freeze the games.

But as far as this game goes, I've been havin' lots of fun with it and have been having a hard time putting it down. My favorite puzzle game yet.

I've had no freezes on mine and I hope they patch the companion bug. Like I said, it doesn't affect you much at all. As far as its popularity, in Dallas anyway it's hard to find. I had to go to 4 Gamestops until I found a copy, although Best Buy and Target may also carry it. I'm addicted as well ;)

[Damaniel]

I've had one crash bug, and one even stranger bug -- I was researching a new skill at my citadel, and had to play the minigame where you need to match certain numbers of each color gem. I made a move that won the game, but which also happened to be the last legal move on the board. The game gave me the 'Victory' screen, and then gave me the 'Failed' screen, and made me try again (without prompting me); this time, the board overlaid the 'Failed' screen, so the graphics looked messed up. I failed the second attempt, but I still got the skill from my first 'success'.

Yes, there are bugs, but none of them are serious enough to make the game any less addictive. Anyone on the fence should find a copy (if you can! ;)) and spend some time with it.

[Snapple]

Well, I went out this evening. Went to six different places, and didn't find a single copy. I may try a couple more places later this week, but nobody seems to have it.

This is like Phoenix Wright all over again.

[c0ldb33r]

I got the PSP version. It's very fun and addictive :D

Should I get the DS version too? Does anyone else that this is going to be a rare game long term?

[mailman187666]

we should just talk about how much this game sucks (right guys?) so nobody will buy it and it will become rare.

edit: there aren't many copies 4 sale on ebay, but they are selling for normal prices, so it can't be too hard to find.

[robotriot]

I just ordered it yesterday, it's not in stores in (continental) Europe, but it can be ordered via http://www.cd-wow.com/ with free worldwide shipping. Looking forward to it, the demo is great!

[c0ldb33r]

I talked to a friend of mine who was trying to obtain the game yesterday, in the frigid Northlands which men call Canadon. She told me that the EB she'd gone to had just boxed up their copies and sent them back to corporate. The game shipped on the twentieth, and was available for purchase on the twenty-first. This means that the local shop carried the game for a total of five days before it was considered a failure.
I copied that from Penny Arcade (talking about Puzzle Quest).

Has anyone else heard anything about this?

[Snapple]

Shipping copies back after five days is the dumbest thing I've heard.

[maxlords]

Anyone know how the DS version is?

[mailman187666]

you know, after playing through this game a bit more, I think this game would have been one of the best PSP games IF instead of using the map to go from battle to battle, they did something along the lines of a traditional RPG or maybe even something like Jewel Summoner for PSP or an exploration type setup like Final Fantasy 10. That would be perfect if they decided to make a sequal.

[Cantaloup]

I've been playing the DS version quite a bit. I haven't played the PC or PSP versions for comparison, but I've had no problems so far and would certainly recommend it. Let me know if you have any questions about it.

[FantasiaWHT]

I am SO FREAKING ADDICTED!!!! I close my eyes and I see jewel patterns, man do I have it bad!

I love the variety of stuff to do and the variety of puzzle styles.

It is VERY buggy though... Once I had all the jewels turn into ASCII symbols (didn't crash) and I've had it freeze up about 6-8 times (I'm level 20 now). Happily, it autosaves before each fight, so at worst you'll lose a winning game.

Has anybody been able to learn a "very hard" spell? Any suggestions? I imagine it'll get slightly easier the more I level up or buy mana skills (slightly more mana from every combo)

[mailman187666]

I see the paterns also after I play. This game is unhealthy. Who needs shrooms when there is puzzle quest.

[geneshifter]

I see the paterns also after I play. This game is unhealthy. Who needs shrooms when there is puzzle quest.

Cool! Next time I go to six flags I'm bringing this game so I can trip out on my puzzle quest and then go flying on the coaster.

[NE146]

I dunno.. to me it's just Zookeeper all over again which I already overplayed :beaten:

[Mason P.]

i love this game. The sound pops some, but doesn't bother me to much. I am wondering about the itmes like weapons and armor. Is the only thing different about them is their powers and names? Do they have any base stats? I have found myself playing this game alot.

[kaneb]

I picked up the DS version myself. I've been playing it non-stop. Also, the Wi-Fi Puzzle battles are a blast. :D

[portnoyd]

Fun game, but the kind of bullshit the CPU gets drives me insane.

[FantasiaWHT]

I can kill the enemy without it getting a turn :)

I start with a decent amount of mana
If there is a 4-chain available, I do that, and I have an item that gives me +6 to each mana pool for every 4- or 5-chain I do
I immediately castle entangle (enemy skips 3 turns)
Cast a spell that turns all stars, coins, and skulls into mana gems
This usually leaves a buttload of 4-chains, so I cast a few direct damage spells and then do all the chains.
Once I'm out of chains and my enemy is about to actually take a turn, I go back to casting entangle and run the cycle again :)

I'm a level 32 druid

[mailman187666]

looks like there is already a sequal in the works

http://psp.ign.com/articles/779/779672p1.html

[c0ldb33r]

Fun game, but the kind of bullshit the CPU gets drives me insane.
I know, the chains it gets are incredibly frustrating. I mean, I get them occasionally, but the computer gets them constantly. It's still a great game and I'm very excited about a potential sequel, especially given the reports of lackluster sales of the original.

[Mason P.]

I saw the link about the sequal being a sci-fi version. I hope they stick to the fantasy realm.

[Cryomancer]

There is a demo PC version. It's awesome, but it's a damn demo. DS version is pretty good except sometimes you get an illegal move because you tap wrong / it takes your tap wrong.

[c0ldb33r]

There is a demo PC version. It's awesome, but it's a damn demo. DS version is pretty good except sometimes you get an illegal move because you tap wrong / it takes your tap wrong.
On the DS version can you use the D-pad?

I saw a video review of the DS version. It looks like hell :( (at least there's no awkward loading pauses though ;) )

[Gabriel]

Local stores don't like getting new games. I had to order Puzzle Quest online. I'm glad I did. It rocks.

I have the PSP version. I haven't noticed any bugs. It's just an awesome game, and I don't normally like puzzle games at all. I just wish I had more time to play it.

I'm happy that the game appears to be a hit and a PSP sequel is coming out. I'll happily buy that one too.

[Cantaloup]

On the DS version can you use the D-pad?

For the puzzles? I don't think so. You can use it to scroll the map, but I think that's it.

[Habeeb Hamusta]

Fun game, but the kind of bullshit the CPU gets drives me insane.

Well if you pay attention to where things are going to drop...you can get a lot more chains. That's actually the whole point. If your just connecting three because you immediately see them then yea...you're gonna lose.

Anyways I'm loving this game so far but am only a 16 druid right now.

[mailman187666]

the level cap in this game is a level 50. But you can still upgrade your stats by all the other means. I don't know what the level cap is for each individual skill is though. I'm just upgrading my guy through the citadel.

[FantasiaWHT]

the level cap in this game is a level 50. But you can still upgrade your stats by all the other means. I don't know what the level cap is for each individual skill is though. I'm just upgrading my guy through the citadel.

I think it's 255 for each stat.

Level 47 druid now... the chains I can do are insane!

If I can make a 4-chain from the bat, I do that. I have an accessory that gives me +6 of each mana every time I do a 4- or 5-chain. That gives me enough to cast entangle (enemy skips turn) and reincarnation (turns all skulls, stars, and coins into random mana gems) which usually causes a crapload of chains and leaves me with more 4- and 5-chains to do. I max out my mana, and cast one of two spells. If a decent number of skulls have shown up, I cast raise the dead, which turns a bunch of them into red skulls. Then I cast an enemy spell that turns all red gems into skulls, which results in massive explosions across the entire board, usually doing 20-30 damage per red skull. That of course, causes more chains, and I fill my mana up to max again and go back to making skulls :)

Only problem I run into is high-resistance enemies, but it's still not enough to make me lose. My entangle, with my green mana at max, will stop the enemy for 4 turns, so I get a couple shots at making each spell work. Worst thing that can happen is for my first entangle or reincarnation to get resisted- then I have to build up 21 green, 9 red, 21 yellow, and 9 blue again.

[NE146]

Boy.. I've been playing the DS version, but I just gave the PSP version a try.. screw the DS one. LOL Bugs or not, the PSP one is definitely a step up!

[FantasiaWHT]

Just got even better! Got a spell that turns all greens into skulls.

Turning half the gems on the board (after reincarnation, they are almost all colors) into skulls is just sick! I do hundreds of damage easily with that hehe

[c0ldb33r]

Next time I'm gonna take a Druid!

I chose a Paladin. Their skills are pretty meh ...

[blissfulnoise]

Warriors are really broken. High starting red mana + Level 40 (Deathbringer) equals a win every time in round one. I can seige castles in a single round at level 44.

Doesn't stop the game from being really fun though!

I do have both the PSP and DS versions and after trying both, the presentation on the PSP version is a lot better. But, I'm noticing that when doing crazy attacks (Deathbringer with 60 red mana) the PSP will randomly lock up and shut down a small percentage of the time. Thankfully I haven't had any save corruption, but it is making me pretty nervous.

[josekortez]

Puzzle Quest for PSP is now down to $20 at Gamestop and K-Mart new. I found my copy of the PSP version at K-Mart with the cheapo dump bin games. Since I got the slim PSP, I haven't played much except this game. I have had it freeze once, though...

[ZackyH]

Does anyone know anything about the Wii version? Is it worth paying extra money if you can get a PS2 version for a lower price?

[Cryomancer]

It's out on PC now guys. Get that one. Highres graphics and mouse imput = fuck yeah.

[FantasiaWHT]

I saw the DS game at Target on the $15 endcaps by the registers

[c0ldb33r]

Does anyone know anything about the Wii version? Is it worth paying extra money if you can get a PS2 version for a lower price?
I'm curious about this too

[Poofta!]

i played the ds game to death, to the extent that i would see shapes everywhere i looked and closed my eyes, for hours...


anyway, i think the ds game is far superior just because of the touchscreen. when you get later into the game doing the bonus stuff that needs you to make moves within seconds, nothing beats point n click. also using the psp for such long periods as you will if you get into this game might cramp your hands. i say ds all the way.

[Cryomancer]

I didn't care for the DS version much, the art suffered from the low resolution, and so did the clicking accuraccy, I think. I got a lot of illegal moves from mis-clicking, even when it sure looked like I clicked the right ones.