Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is a game that grabs you and doesn’t let go. It is one of the most addicting Wii games that I have ever played.

In short: if you've got a DS, get the DS version. If not, get this. [Feb 2008, p.55]

Ridiculously addictive. [May 2008, p.82]

Having played two other versions of Puzzle Quest already (PC and Xbox 360), it’s evident that the Wii version is the weakest of the bunch. The controls, while sometimes precise and intuitive, are a mess with too many menus for the Wiimote/Nunchuck scheme and accidental mistakes that players will run into with using just the Wiimote.

It's not the best version of Puzzle Quest to date, but it still offers much of the same great fun.

Unfortunately, the translation to Wii brings nothing good. The quest and spell text are difficult to read on a standard definition TV, and it lacks widescreen support. Worse, the actual puzzle grid is much smaller than it could be, which only exacerbates the touchy Wii Remote pointer controls.

At $30, the Wii version of Puzzle Quest is the most expensive out there. But it looks, sounds, and controls worse than versions that cost half that. The core gameplay is rock solid, and you definitely don't want to miss out if you haven't already played the game. But what could have been one of the Wii's standout puzzle games ends up being a half-assed port.

The presentation is sloppy, with music that abruptly cuts off and a diminished gem playfield. It's worth a rental, at best.

The best puzzle game of this past year. It’s fun and dangerously addictive.

If all the different Puzzle Quest releases were playing a certain reality show, the Wii version would be the first to get voted off the island. The Xbox Live version and even the PSP version with its annoying bugs are better-looking versions of the same game.

It's like your best freind's turned into a real jerk, but deep down, you're still great pals. [Mar 2008, p.75]

Puzzle Quest is without doubt the best puzzelgame on the Wii. The different elements from various genres come together here to create a very unique product. The game is long enough to offer value for your money, but it is a shame that the online-mode is missing.

What more is there to say about Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords? Not much - other than a warning that it will ruin Bejeweled for you forever, because you will be longing for some consequences beyond just getting points! You will also quickly descend into 'just one more turn' territory until you make your way to the end, which will take dozens of hours.

Despite the aggravations, Puzzle Quest remains a creative and addictive puzzle-RPG adventure. The story, while not deep or heavily dramatic, offers enough plot to encourage gamers through the adventure.

Puzzle Quest isn't a bad game, but the Wii version tries very hard to make it so. It's playable as long as you don't mind squinting at the text, don't find the control scheme too uncomfortable, and don't pay much attention to music.