Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

 DS
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Xiru
    Feb 26, 2009
    5
    Fans of the original Puzzle Quest will feel right at home, as the core mechanics are still the same - match three gems, gain mana (here, engine/weapon/computer power), use skills (here, items), obliterate enemy. The addition of the mining and crafting minigames is a welcome change; the new hacking minigame is not. You see, in order to travel between star systems, you need to re-activate Fans of the original Puzzle Quest will feel right at home, as the core mechanics are still the same - match three gems, gain mana (here, engine/weapon/computer power), use skills (here, items), obliterate enemy. The addition of the mining and crafting minigames is a welcome change; the new hacking minigame is not. You see, in order to travel between star systems, you need to re-activate LeapGates by hacking them. The problem is that it's a time trial; the time limits imposed are extremely strict, especially considering that the clock keeps ticking as your combos are cleared. To add insult to injury, these minigames reward you in no way whatsoever, and the LeapGates even have the tendency to de-activate. It's a frustrating and overly difficult chore, a "feature" which severely cripples an otherwise very enjoyable puzzle adventure.… Expand
  2. Z9000
    Mar 1, 2009
    7
    I have played about 20 hours of Galactrix and am a big fan of D3 after the last Puzzle Quest game. Think of this as a melding of the classic trappings of Trade Wars (or any space trading/combat game) and a hex based, 6 way sliding Bejeweled. It's an instant classic excepts for a very poor design decision... Time based puzzles being required to access any other area of the game. This I have played about 20 hours of Galactrix and am a big fan of D3 after the last Puzzle Quest game. Think of this as a melding of the classic trappings of Trade Wars (or any space trading/combat game) and a hex based, 6 way sliding Bejeweled. It's an instant classic excepts for a very poor design decision... Time based puzzles being required to access any other area of the game. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is. The story (you find this out as soon as you start playing) is that the space gates between planetary systems have been attacked by a virus, therefore you must hack the gates. Your hack does not last long either, it fades over time and must be repeated. To hack the gate, you are given x amount of time to match a string of certain colored sets. If you do not do so, you must start over. You often will fail 5-10 times in a row just trying to get a stupid gate open to get to the next area of game play. Considering there are 40 or so areas, you start to understand the magnitude of this repetitive, frustrating, un-fun impediment to what the game really offers in all other areas. There is also a bug that if the next color set you needed gets cleared in a cascade of the previous move, it sometimes just ignores it and doesn't count. What's worse is after all the work of opening these gates, you get absolutely no reward other than being able to access the next area temporarily. As I said, this game would be an instant classic if not for this really poor design choice. You can forget about relaxing and enjoying the game as every gate you hack will only frustrate you and make you tense instead of letting you enjoy the experience. Just get used to "LeapGate Hack Failed!" now if you buy this. Here's hoping D3 patches this out on the PC, and makes this issue less relevant on the console versions (it's bad enough with a pointing device, just think how bad it would be without a mouse/stylus). A perferct 10 turned to a generous 7, due to what this company has done and is capable of.… Expand
  3. HeywoodD
    Feb 27, 2009
    8
    I really enjoyed the original Puzzle Quest: COtW for DS, and have been looking forward to this release. So far, I love the new gameplay mechanics. The design works well, too, using the screen much better than the original game. My only complaint is that the game seems to run very slowly on the DS. Turning off the music helped some, but it still stutters a bit when puzzle pieces start I really enjoyed the original Puzzle Quest: COtW for DS, and have been looking forward to this release. So far, I love the new gameplay mechanics. The design works well, too, using the screen much better than the original game. My only complaint is that the game seems to run very slowly on the DS. Turning off the music helped some, but it still stutters a bit when puzzle pieces start sliding around.… Expand
  4. C.Todd
    Mar 19, 2009
    9
    I had a hard time initially with this game. I was not fully able to appreciate the added directions of the playing field, along with the new space backdrop... then after about 5 hours, something strange happened in me and it all started to click. The factions became something worth being on their good side, the rumors and the mining (both of which use variants of the basic BejeweledI had a hard time initially with this game. I was not fully able to appreciate the added directions of the playing field, along with the new space backdrop... then after about 5 hours, something strange happened in me and it all started to click. The factions became something worth being on their good side, the rumors and the mining (both of which use variants of the basic Bejeweled formula) became essential to the fighting and unlocking leapgates from area to area. There is very little random to this game, which is how a puzzle game should be! Once you learn to appreciate the way each move works (protip: all blocks from any direction on the board will move in the way you shift them!) a very enjoyable, timesucking and heavily addictive game emerges. Give it time, it's worth it!… Expand
  5. aspentitan
    May 11, 2020
    6
    I really enjoy all the match 3 style games but this is actually the first one I've decided not to continue to the end. I would like to start off with the good and that I feel the gameplay for the most part is actually improved from the original puzzle quest game. The upgrades you can make to your staff and ship actually feel more immersive. Unfortunately the game suffers by majorI really enjoy all the match 3 style games but this is actually the first one I've decided not to continue to the end. I would like to start off with the good and that I feel the gameplay for the most part is actually improved from the original puzzle quest game. The upgrades you can make to your staff and ship actually feel more immersive. Unfortunately the game suffers by major repetitive gameplay annoyances such that you never really enjoy the upgrades. Not only do you have to hack a gate, which there are many, you further have to open it directly after as well. This quickly deflates all the excitement of battle that you are starting to become immersed in. To further the disappointment the navigation screen is not defined clearly and so to proceed I found myself just randomly clicking on areas to go and see if I could advance the game. It seemed a real chore to try to find where to go and get on with the fun battles. There is a mission tab to help navigate this problem but it is a chore really to use it. In addition I found the soundtrack and sound effects of the game not very immersive and all things considered I just became bored. Essentially I feel this game has a lot of potential as the gameplay has evolved on one end and beats its inspirational counterparts but yet it turns you off unlocking too many portals to persuade you it's worth the effort. Nonetheless puzzle games are puzzle games and if you play this one here and there maybe it's doable but I wouldn't recommend this highly ahead of other puzzling games.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best DS Game of 2009
48
#48 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
44
#44 Most Shared DS Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. IGN
    84
    If you are a fan of PQ, Galactrix will hook you all over again. The zero gravity puzzle game is slightly more complex, and there is an entire galaxy of quests, mini-games, and characters to get lost in. Some interface hiccups mar the presentation and the visuals aren't all that impressive, but the core gameplay is rock solid. Plus, the music is fantastic.
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  2. GamesRadar+
    80
    Its handful of small setbacks are just about evenly balanced with its improvements though, so Galactrix still offers an addictive, puzzle-meets-RPG experience that won’t disappoint most fans of the original PQ, as well as anyone looking for an accessible game that still packs plenty of substance.
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  3. Game Informer
    83
    Galactrix succeeds in all the ways a sophomore entry should. It maintains the core approach of its successful forebear, but isn’t afraid to integrate a bevy of new ideas along the way. Not every one of these new concepts pans out, but it hasn’t lost the flavor that made so many devote themselves the first time around.
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