Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. GameShark
    91
    It’s this blend of casual pick up and play feel, deep, challenging gameplay and copious amounts of activities that makes this a very hard game to put down.
  2. GameSpy
    90
    Like peanut butter and chocolate, the combination of classic puzzle gameplay and RPG game mechanics results in something greater than the sum of its parts.
  3. IGN
    85
    The developers really hit on something with the Puzzle Quest formula, and I'll be on board as long as they can keep it engrossing.
  5. Multiplayer.it
    80
    Puzzle Quest: Galactrix is a true sequel of Challenge of the Warlords and it has only a big problem: the developer really can't add any major element to the already perfect gameplay. It's an addictive game with an over the top sense of fun.
  6. Cheat Code Central
    80
    It's the same puzzle over and over again, but the game stretches the concept to cover all sorts of different twists and turns.
  7. Game Over Online
    80
    It’s not quite as well-rounded an experience as its predecessor and it can be frustrating at times, but ultimately the combination role-playing and 3-match puzzle game formula is still very much a winner here.
  8. GamesRadar+
    80
    Its handful of setbacks are just about evenly balanced with its improvements, 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.
  9. Wired
    80
    Galactrix is a surprisingly robust game, but you really need to have an investment in the rote act of matching gems to appreciate it all.
  10. G4 TV
    80
    Whether or not you’ll like this game really boils down to whether or not you like the decidedly Bejeweled-inspired core gameplay mode, because regardless of what you’re doing in this game you’re never more than a few clicks away from it.
  11. games(TM)
    80
    Still addictive, but lacking the original’s impact. [Apr 2009, p.121]
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  12. PC Gamer UK
    79
    It might not be as deliciously addictive as the original, but Galactrix will still suck up hours like a black hole. [May 2009, p.67]
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  13. Absolute Games
    79
    The only big drawback is the hacking puzzle which is required travel between star systems. You have to replay this timed mini-game as many times as there are stars in the sky – literally!
  14. Pelit (Finland)
    77
    A forced remake. The gaming scene is so over saturated with the match three genre, Galactrix feels old right off the bat. Even though very clichéd, the proven core elements still works. [Apr 2009]
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  15. Worth Playing
    75
    Puzzle Quest: Galactrix does an admirable job of trying to hold your interest for a lengthy puzzle game, but it has a weak story, the AI feels cheap, an aggravating hacking game and the extremely weak multiplayer drag down the experience.
  16. GameFocus
    72
    The original Puzzle Quest set the bar so high for Galactrix it is almost unfair to compare the two but in the end you must. If you can get past the “dumbed” down gameplay this is actually a fun and lengthy worthwhile gaming experience which most puzzle fans and Role Playing Gamers will enjoy.
  17. PC Zone UK
    71
    A worthy follow-up and well worth your time if you are an enthusiast of the gem-matching genre. [June 2009, p.75]
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  18. Total PC Gaming
    70
    It’s not Peggle-addictive, but there’s depth beyond the casual puzzle game.
  19. GameZone
    70
    The actual puzzles follow the same base format, albeit with some different bents that create different challenges as you move through. While there are a number of mini-games, they are all basically the same thing and though the storyline does attempt to drive the gameplay forward, it does miss the boat.
  20. GamingTrend
    70
    The bottom line is that I feel like I should be liking it a lot more than I am. I keep finding myself alternating between frustrated and bored - a combination I never thought I'd see from a Puzzle Quest game.
  21. Gamers.at
    70
    If you know Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords you know how to play Puzzle Quest: Galactrix. If you are a fan of puzzle games you’ll most probably like it.
  22. Edge Magazine
    70
    While the overall blandness means Galactrix is unlikely to truly thrill many people, it also means that it won’t exclude anyone either, and the ever-reliable pattern-spotting blends with the steady trickle of meaningless rewards to exert a pull on its audience that is truly Pavlovian. [Apr 2009, p.125]
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  23. Play (Poland)
    70
    It's amazing how much variety can be squeezed out of such a simple game concept. There's even place for character development, new ship acquisition and commerce! All that is done just by arranging colour tiles in patterns of three or more. [Apr 2009]
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  24. AtomicGamer
    68
    Even with the modest $20 price tag for Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, it's not worth the frustration after a taking a couple of losses that are completely out of your hands.
  25. PC Format
    68
    Most Puzzle Quest aficionados will quickly end up returning to the original.
  26. Giant Bomb
    60
    The first Puzzle Quest was a revelation; Galactrix is just a complication.
  27. Computer Games Online RO
    60
    Puzzle Quest: Galactrix bears on its shoulders the burden of the glorious past created by its older brother and I’m sure that if it had been the first born, it would have been much better received.
  28. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    60
    How to make an awkward elephant from a light-footed gazelle? The same way you can advance from a splendid Challenge of the Warlords to an overcomplicated Galactrix. [Mar 2009]
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  29. Game Revolution
    58
    If the the old school Puzzle Quest is mega-addicting black tar heroin, then the new one is some brown weed that barely gets you high and leaves you with little more than a headache and a bad taste in your mouth.
  30. 1UP
    58
    So while I'm excited about the changes to the formula for Galactrix, the downsides aren't sorted out nearly as well as I'd hoped, making this huge bundle of gameplay seem more like a chore than a boon.
  31. GameSpot
    55
    The sequel to Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords takes everything that was great about its predecessor and ruins it.
  32. GameStar
    55
    More complexity doesn't automatically create more fun. The successor to Puzzle Quest, the entertaining mix between role-play elements and puzzle game, turns out to be uninspired and boring. It's more complex but confusing, even for experts. There are less rewards to motivate you and the AI doesn't work properly. A candidate for the list of bad sequels.

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best PC Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 31
  3. Negative: 6 out of 31
  1. JohanK
    Feb 28, 2009
    3
    I loved the first Puzzle Quest even though Infinite Interactive dropped the ball on that one and never patched the horribly flawed PS3 I loved the first Puzzle Quest even though Infinite Interactive dropped the ball on that one and never patched the horribly flawed PS3 version (having the same song repeated over and over again).Given how much Galactrix crashes, let's hope they do not blatantly ignore that their product is broken; this time around. The gameplay isn't too bad but iit does lack the feel of a finished product. Many times you will click and click again just to get the game to respond - this is felt even in the intro screen. What worse is that the although new hex grid is a good move, the combos on it isn't. Except for the old frustration when your enemy blindly manages to get combo after combo from new games dropping in on the board (And this has been cranked up, get used to 5-10 combo moves) there's one real problem: While hacking gateways which is a timed mini-game, the game will happily waste your time dropping useless after useless combo while you frantically try to click that gem you need to move. Even if it isn't for the time stress you'd still be clicking in frustration because there's no clear indicator of when the game releases the control back to you. I'm going back to the PS3 version of the original game, at least that I can play with the game music turned off and enjoy it (which is a shame because both games have really great background tracks).… Full Review »
  2. ChoicestGames
    Mar 3, 2012
    7
    Value for money Puzzle/RPG hybrid (with more of an emphasis on the puzzles this time around) and it's Australian made! I especially like theValue for money Puzzle/RPG hybrid (with more of an emphasis on the puzzles this time around) and it's Australian made! I especially like the sci-fi setting.… Full Review »
  3. Bolter
    Jan 6, 2012
    1
    Terrible.

    The storyline is very lackluster and boring which means there is nothing to keep you intrested in searching the solar system. The    Terrible.

    The storyline is very lackluster and boring which means there is nothing to keep you intrested in searching the solar system. The solar system segments are again pointless and forcing you to hack a jump gate within a certain time limit is just again boring and annoying. You can use "PSI" but runs out fast. The actual puzzle bored was intresting as it actually made it intresting and kept you on your toes until the AI which im starting to think is just copied from game to game just plain out cheats. Starting thinking wow that was a lucky combo of bombs / shields together but after 6 matches it was just to plain obvious that the AI either knew what was next or was generating what it needed. Tbh the game is just boring but great if u love losing.    … Full Review »
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