HANAGUMI TAISEN COLUMNS



Taking the classic Columns puzzle gameplay, and inserting those infamous Sakura Wars characters, this puzzler is an instant winner.

This game feels like Puzzle Fighter as in battle each player has a bar. When 3 or more jewels are cleared the bar fills up slowly. Chains really add to the bar, and once filled it presents you with 3 choices:

1. Level 1 attack
2. Save and accumulate
3. Level 1 defense

You can go up to 3 levels. If on the 3rd level you select the 2nd option, what happens is that the game simply gives you three glowing star-like pieces, that pretty much act like the diamond found in Puzzle Fighter.

Because of this option to be on the offensive or the defensive, this game leads up to a lot of strategizing and one-up-man-ship. It's really addicting and with the choice of 6 different characters, all each with different strengths and weakness, and attack patterns, this game is flat out wicked fun.

The debris comes in the form of colored dice. They could be as high as 6 or low as the number 1... and it works just like the counter pieces in Puzzle Fighter. Once count down they unlock and turn into regular jewels. Nice.

Level 1 defense takes away the bottom 2 rows.

Level 2 defense takes away the bottom 4 rows.

Level 3 defense takes away the bottom 6 rows (can be very handy when you're near death)

And obviously the higher level on offense, the more debris that will be dumped on the opponent's field.

Game has Story mode, Cinderella mode, 1P Mode with classic (standalone) or puzzle (solve up to 90 different puzzles, ranging from "clear 20 jewels in under a minute" to "clear past this line") and of course the excellent 2 Player Mode. Options you have the choice to change the jewels from classic Columns look to a more modernized look. There is also an Omake mode (AKA art gallery) once you complete the game with a character.

The characters seem to be all very balanced and the CPU provides a tough but not unfair challenge. Graphics are solid, sound is great and control is right on the money. Hidden characters also abound. Beat the game and be treated to some J-Pop like music. Good stuff.

Overall this game is ace, ace, ace. Sakura Wars gets a lot of love on the Saturn, and the Japanese often regard to it as the best Saturn game ever, but if you want something you can play and understand, go for Hanagumi Taisen Columns. Shouldn't run ya more than $15, and is an absolute blast to play. It's like Columns meets Puzzle Fighter. Along with Columns Arcade Collection, you'll have all the Columns action you could ever want with these two excellent Saturn games.

for another review and some pictures go here:

http://www.shinforce.com/saturn/revi...umiColumns.htm