The Puzzle Game Thread

A place where you can chat about anything that isn't to do with games!
User avatar
RoninBuddha
Posts: 449
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:17 pm
Location: Fender Telecaster
Contact:

Post by RoninBuddha »

^ok, thanks, i acutally just got a deal from someone who's selling me all of teh Puyo game for the DC, Yon, Fever and the horrible DA!

all for $10 :D :shock:
(missing spines of course)
KY
Randorama
Posts: 3926
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:25 pm

Post by Randorama »

RoninBuddha wrote:^ok, thanks, i acutally just got a deal from someone who's selling me all of teh Puyo game for the DC, Yon, Fever and the horrible DA!

all for $10 :D :shock:
(missing spines of course)
Speaking of which, have you decided to get Doki Doki, after reading my superb review? :wink: (hope it has helped, at any case).
"The only desire the Culture could not satisfy from within itself was one common to both the descendants of its original human stock and the machines [...]: the urge not to feel useless."

I.M. Banks, "Consider Phlebas" (1988: 43).
User avatar
EOJ
Posts: 3227
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:12 am
Location: Hawaii
Contact:

Post by EOJ »

Randorama wrote: Speaking of which, have you decided to get Doki Doki, after reading my superb review? :wink: (hope it has helped, at any case).
Well, I just picked it up off yahoo japan after reading your review. :D
Cost me $62 including all Rinkya fees. Looking forward to its arrival.
Randorama
Posts: 3926
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:25 pm

Post by Randorama »

good choice, if you play it for score you will really have a blast, to put it in cheesy terms. Personally i adore the "Creamy Mamy" atmosphere as well, but i blame it on my childhood hentaism :wink:
"The only desire the Culture could not satisfy from within itself was one common to both the descendants of its original human stock and the machines [...]: the urge not to feel useless."

I.M. Banks, "Consider Phlebas" (1988: 43).
User avatar
RoninBuddha
Posts: 449
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:17 pm
Location: Fender Telecaster
Contact:

Post by RoninBuddha »

Randorama wrote:
RoninBuddha wrote:^ok, thanks, i acutally just got a deal from someone who's selling me all of teh Puyo game for the DC, Yon, Fever and the horrible DA!

all for $10 :D :shock:
(missing spines of course)
Speaking of which, have you decided to get Doki Doki, after reading my superb review? :wink: (hope it has helped, at any case).
i actually want it, (i love things which revolve around the Idols trend in japan :P)

but i cant seem to find it.... :( im thinking of actually resorting to... coughisoscough
KY
User avatar
raiden
Posts: 862
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:41 pm
Location: Cologne
Contact:

Post by raiden »

finally got Puzz Loop DS yesterday. It´s even better than I expected. Controls work like this: you tip the stylus at the cannon and then draw in the direction you want to shoot. You don´t have to draw the whole line, but it´s more precise that way, so you have to choose between accuracy and speed just like in the original Puzz Loop game. Also, the stylus controls allows for slightly curved shots which is great for reaching balls in 2nd row.
Another thing that´s possible this way is having more than one cannon, which is very unusual. Puzz Loop 2 and Zuma had courses with more than one endpoint balls are sliding towards, but having two cannons feels completely different.
Extra modes are a quest mode with dozens of stages that are supposed to be cleared - progress is saved so this mode can be played over a long period of time. And a "checkmate" mode similar to the one present in Hitofude/Polarium where you have a fixed number of balls and have to kill all balls present on the spiral with that set amount. Oh, and if you happen to have the Hitofude GBA cartridge, you can unlock additional features in both games, which for me is a reason to get that GBA game, too.
It´s another game worth owning a DS for, I´m very happy with it.
User avatar
DC906270
Posts: 993
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:34 pm
Location: THE UK!!!

Post by DC906270 »

i would vote for Kuru Kuru Kururin and Boulderdash (both GBA)
Theres already been a thread for Kuru. Boulderdash is awesome, especially 'Classic' mode (this may be a bit hardcore for some) although the 'EXE' mode is fun as well.
User avatar
raiden
Posts: 862
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:41 pm
Location: Cologne
Contact:

Post by raiden »

Kuru Kuru Kururin was the original reason I got a DS for. Of course, I could have just gotten a GBA SP instead, but what I imagined was having a larger screen on DS (which turned out untrue for GBA games - they have a black border on DS).

Another very nice puzzle game I´ve come across recently is Mezase! Battle Balls aka Senkyu. The latter is the name of the arcade game from Seibu Kaihatsu, the former the name of the Playstation port. To describe the game mechanism, I´d say imagine Puyo Puyo with physics. Instead of 2-element blocks, you have 3-element blocks falling down that can be rotated, but the thing is they consist of balls, and when balls disappear (4 or more of one color adjacent), the other balls don´t just fall down, but roll down physically correct. It´s unusually easy to create combos in this game, which is probably the reason I like it. At first, it seems easy because combos are easy to do, but once the AI takes off (or you´re playing against a human opponent), the true difficulty kicks in. The barrier blocks sent by your opponent don´t dissolve automatically with time like they do in, say, Super Puzzle Fighter or Hanagumi Taisen Columns, but only by letting adjacent balls disappear. As it´s easy to do combos, you can get 4 or 5 lines of barrier blocks very quickly, too, and suddenly you have to think extremely quickly in order to handle the situation.
User avatar
Neon
Posts: 3529
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:31 pm

Post by Neon »

Kuru Kuru Kururin was the original reason I got a DS for. Of course, I could have just gotten a GBA SP instead, but what I imagined was having a larger screen on DS (which turned out untrue for GBA games - they have a black border on DS).
I tried an SP recently - the games look a lot better on DS, more brightness and clarity.

What's the little square plug hole next to the headphone jack for? I've noticed this on CD players as well...

Just cleared 2000m in Drill Spirits, wohoo. W/Susumu. Can anyone beat 15k meters in Driller 1 survival mode? Starting on hard. Absolute best I've ever done is 13 something though I haven't played it in awhile.
User avatar
system11
Posts: 6290
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:17 pm
Location: UK
Contact:

Post by system11 »

Enjoying Mushihimetama at the moment - Uo Poko meets Reko. Actually the gameplay is slightly different - it's quite a bit harder, the floor rises fairly aggressively, but on the other hand you're not trying to clear -all- gems, just release the insect trapped underneath them. And the animations are priceless.
System11's random blog, with things - and stuff!
http://blog.system11.org
User avatar
oxtsu
Posts: 966
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:14 pm
Location: USA - Oklahoma City

Post by oxtsu »

Neon wrote:I tried an SP recently - the games look a lot better on DS, more brightness and clarity.
The new backlit GBA SP is much improved. :)

*pic*

Mushihimetama sounds like fun. Might as well pass this along here...the current hi-score is around 20 million from player LAOS-NagataShinjin.
User avatar
Neon
Posts: 3529
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:31 pm

Post by Neon »

I'm sure someone mentioned it previously, but despite not having been a huge bust a move fan in the past I'm really liking the DS version. Not really being able to tell where the balls will go just adds to the intensity, though that's kind of stupid now that I write it out.

Is New Rainbow Islands getting a US localization?
User avatar
Danny
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:43 pm
Location: Owermongie, England

Post by Danny »

Hey just to res' a dead topic, has anyone here actualy gotten around to making a puzzle game dedicated site or is that dead in the water?

Because I was thinking of making one myself! Webspace is not really a problem it's more the man power because running a site kinda like this one but for puzzler's would need more than person thats for sure.
User avatar
BrianC
Posts: 9041
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 1:33 am
Location: MD

Post by BrianC »

Neon wrote:I'm sure someone mentioned it previously, but despite not having been a huge bust a move fan in the past I'm really liking the DS version. Not really being able to tell where the balls will go just adds to the intensity, though that's kind of stupid now that I write it out.

Is New Rainbow Islands getting a US localization?
Yeah, the US version of Rainbow Islands DS is out. Here is the page for it at ebgames. I heard that it's not that great, though. Also, the US version of the game supposedly removed the d-pad control. Ugh.
User avatar
benj
Posts: 279
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 4:19 pm

Post by benj »

Danny wrote:Hey just to res' a dead topic, has anyone here actualy gotten around to making a puzzle game dedicated site or is that dead in the water?

Because I was thinking of making one myself! Webspace is not really a problem it's more the man power because running a site kinda like this one but for puzzler's would need more than person thats for sure.
Funny that this comes up now, because I was thinking the exact same thing recently. A site like this, with a review section and a forum where people can post their high scores, but for puzzle games and platformers. I'm pretty stoked for the idea, but the problem is that I hardly know how to turn a computer on. Creating a site complete with forums is out of my league, unfortunately.

I'd be glad to help, should you decide to do it.
User avatar
Kiken
Posts: 3982
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:08 pm
Contact:

Post by Kiken »

raiden wrote:Another very nice puzzle game I´ve come across recently is Mezase! Battle Balls aka Senkyu. The latter is the name of the arcade game from Seibu Kaihatsu, the former the name of the Playstation port. To describe the game mechanism, I´d say imagine Puyo Puyo with physics. Instead of 2-element blocks, you have 3-element blocks falling down that can be rotated, but the thing is they consist of balls, and when balls disappear (4 or more of one color adjacent), the other balls don´t just fall down, but roll down physically correct. It´s unusually easy to create combos in this game, which is probably the reason I like it. At first, it seems easy because combos are easy to do, but once the AI takes off (or you´re playing against a human opponent), the true difficulty kicks in. The barrier blocks sent by your opponent don´t dissolve automatically with time like they do in, say, Super Puzzle Fighter or Hanagumi Taisen Columns, but only by letting adjacent balls disappear. As it´s easy to do combos, you can get 4 or 5 lines of barrier blocks very quickly, too, and suddenly you have to think extremely quickly in order to handle the situation.
The full Japanese title is actually Mezase Senkyuu-Oh. The US localized arcade version was called Battle Balls (yes, I've actually played the US PCB of this). It's an awesome game... took me forever to get ahold of a legit PSX copy (even after a re-release the game is still very difficult to find).

The counter system is really well designed. Not to mention the fact that the game will let you play beyond the top of the visible screen (I've started combos with the triad of balls beyond the top of the play-field) so long as there is the potential to start a combo.
User avatar
Sundance
Posts: 110
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:34 pm
Location: Denver

Re: The Puzzle Game Thread

Post by Sundance »

professor ganson wrote:
Bombastic (the follow-up to Devil Dice) is probably my second favorite puzzle game or tied for second with Puyo Puyo.
I just picked this up and Blokus for the PSP. I've played all the Devil Dice and couldn't resist this one. I only wish the PSP d-pad was a little more intuitive.
"ooh, ahh, thats how all this starts, but then theres running and screaming" -LW:Jurrassic Park-
zaphod
Posts: 629
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 7:33 am
Contact:

Post by zaphod »

Vexorg wrote:I can generally get through the first and second loops with no problem (in fact, I think I may still have the top score on the XBL leaderboard for 1-2 on the second loop.) The fourth loop is actually easier than the third in my experience (no buried or cursed relics, you just have to get each square twice. You also get extends quickly since you get twice the points for clearing the squares.) The fifth loop is a combination of the second and third loops, and gets nasty quickly. I've got a saved game currently on 3-2 on the fifth loop, and I've got to try to finish it off at some point.
Okay they seriously dumbed it down for xbox live.

PC version goes like this.

First loop=buried relics show. Tough, but beatable. Level design gets more diabolical as te gaem progresses. final ones are amazingly tough.
Second loop=cursed relics drop on from the top on EVERY level. FUN..
third loop=every square cleared twice AND cursed relics!

At this point me and my g/f gave up. And there' suposed to be a loop 4 and five!?!?! OMG!

If i understand you right, loop 1 on pc=loop 2 on xbox live, loop2 on PC=loop 5 on xbox, and loop3 comines 2,3, AND 4 on xbox live version. nd PC has FIVE loops.

Anyone who thinks jewelquest is fun on xbox live needs to play the PC original. I DEFY you to beat all five PC loops.
Last edited by zaphod on Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Danny
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:43 pm
Location: Owermongie, England

Post by Danny »

OK I've finaly gone through with it and made a make shift web page for puzzle games. It will be kinda like this site but for puzzle games instead!

Currently it's bare bones and only the forum is up but within the next couple of days I'll update it with a load of my puzzle game reviews that I have done in the past.

anyway I suspect you want a link so here you go...

http://www.indygamers.co.uk/puzzle/mainbody.htm

feel free to e-mail me with any questions. I will be getting a domain name for this bad boy proberbly tommorow if all goes to plan.

enjoy! :)
User avatar
undamned
Posts: 3273
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:27 am
Location: Phoenix

Post by undamned »

I guess this is a good place for this:

Cleopatra Fortune Plus GD-ROM & Security IC:
http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u17188633

Cleopatra Fortune Plus Factory Art:
http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/106503383

-ud
Righteous Super Hero / Righteous Love
User avatar
BulletMagnet
Posts: 14156
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 4:05 am
Location: Wherever.
Contact:

Post by BulletMagnet »

Hm, I imagine that's the version that got ported to DC? Do you (or anyone) know what the differences are between this "plus" version and the original? Aside from the redone graphics, I see what look like some new "item" pieces and some sort of "jewel meter," but can't begin to guess as to how they work.
User avatar
Dave_K.
Posts: 4570
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 5:43 am
Location: SF Bay Area
Contact:

Post by Dave_K. »

Plus version was never ported to DC or anywhere else. I know this kit is rare, but damn thats getting up there in price! Thanks for the link UD, with one day left would be interesting to see if it climbs even higher.
User avatar
shoe-sama
Banned User
Posts: 2723
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:15 am
Location: gobble gobble

Post by shoe-sama »

I LEIK 2 PLY CRAPPY PUZZLE GAMES LIEK

http://puyo.whitecosmos.net/forum/index ... ,35.0.html

puyo puyo fever

Newest PC version (in linked thread) doesn't have CD check any more so it doesn't require a hugeass ISO download. I play random Japanese people on the expert server and get my ass kicked.
<Sidwell> TSS is manlier than a jet figher made of biceps.
User avatar
Ceph
Posts: 3693
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 2:58 pm
Location: Europe

Post by Ceph »

Due to popular demand:

http://2dgaming.2d.funpic.de

A place to post your puzzle game scores.
Image
PC Engine Fan X!
Posts: 9100
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:32 pm

The homebrew PSP puzzler of Ukke is cool to play...

Post by PC Engine Fan X! »

The cool Euro-designed PSP homebrew puzzler by the name of "Ukke" is fun to play...check it out. SCEI would be wise to talk with the Ukke developers and turn it into a full-fledged UMD-based game! ^_~

http://dl.qj.net/Ukke-PSP-Homebrew-Game ... /catid/195

This particular PSP homebrew puzzler of Ukke is equally at home on a 1.50 endowed PSP as it is on later released PSP firmwares..... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
User avatar
MathU
Posts: 2172
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: Paranoia

Post by MathU »

Nobody loves Tetrisphere?
Of course, that's just an opinion.
Always seeking netplay fans to play emulated arcade games with.
User avatar
undamned
Posts: 3273
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:27 am
Location: Phoenix

Post by undamned »

MathU wrote:Nobody loves Tetrisphere?
One of the reasons to own an N64, imho.
-ud
Righteous Super Hero / Righteous Love
User avatar
llaoyllakcuf
Posts: 326
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:15 am
Location: NJ USA

Post by llaoyllakcuf »

undamned wrote:I guess this is a good place for this:

Cleopatra Fortune Plus GD-ROM & Security IC:
http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u17188633

Cleopatra Fortune Plus Factory Art:
http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/106503383

-ud
that's like the 3rd copy I've ever seen for sale anywhere. the value seems to be increasing as well, I remember the GD+chip alone costing me 111,000 JPY back in February.

I was going to bid on that artwork, it's too bad the price went up so high at the end...
User avatar
undamned
Posts: 3273
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:27 am
Location: Phoenix

Post by undamned »

Poto Poto, Sega, 1994.

Runs on the same hardware as Columns and this game is solid.

Pieces come down from the top as six sided tiles. The playfield consists of matching slots, so you can place any piece anywhere. The catch is that you must create your own paths for tiles to slide on by placing other tiles beforehand. The entire game can be played w/out using the action button (you can activate the occasional bomb with the action button, but it will eventually go on it's own if you don't press anything).

There are different colored tiles that when combined in 4 or more will eliminate. As I dug into this game I started to recognize a strong Puzzle Bobble strategy for offensive gameplay (although I'd have a hard time calling this a rip-off because both Poto Poto and Puzzle Bobble came out in the same year).

You experienced PB players know that to crush your opponent you need to make huge drops, i.e. eliminate hanging groups of pieces. Same here. When punishing your opponent you can thwart him/her/it in 3 major ways:

1.) Garbage - random puzzle pieces thrown about to corrupt their strategies
2.) Stones - not sure how to trigger these, but sometimes amidst the Garbage, there will be stone puzzle pieces which further hinder progress as they do not combine with any other puzzle pieces.
3.) Ceiling drop - like the opposite of Tetris floor rise, where garbled puzzle pieces get pushed onto the screen (Landmaker style). I don't know how this is triggered, either.

The computer is pretty strong in this game. My roomate, who is a noteworthy PB player, took quite a few goes to clear the game.

This game takes some getting used to as pieces don't just "flow" as in other puzzlers, but once you get a handle on the strategy neccessary, this is a very solid game and I'm hoping more people will give it a chance. The closest comparison I can come up with is Klax meets Puzzle Bobble.

Here is a System16 link: http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=705&page=1#1887

By the way, I was torn as to which thread to post this in being as we have 3 big puzzle threads now :roll:

Here are the others if you care:
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=4425
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=10267
-ud
Righteous Super Hero / Righteous Love
User avatar
D
Posts: 3801
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:49 pm
Location: Almere, Netherlands
Contact:

Post by D »

I bid on it once on ebay, but it got snatched away from me.
Thanks for the impression, I always wondered what it would be like.
I know of Tetrisconcept, but maybe it's time for a General Puzzle Games Forum to discuss all puzzle games!
Post Reply