Puzzle Quest to Hit XBL on Wednesday

[EternalGamer]

According to IGN (http://xbox360.ign.com/) D3 Publishing has sent out a press release announcing that Puzzle Quest is scheduled to hit Xbox Live this Wednesday, October 10th.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/8521/pqint01av4.jpg

Link to the article here (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/825/825490p1.html).

I passed on both the PSP and DS versions while everyone else around me was addicted to it and this the reason why. Let's just hope they don't pull a Lumines with this one.

[bapenguin]

I think people are going to need to prepare for a "sticker shock" with this one. Don't be surprised if it's 2000 points.

[Deepsleeper]

I think people are going to need to prepare for a "sticker shock" with this one. Don't be surprised if it's 2000 points.

It's been quoted at 1200, actually.
EDIT: How about I give some actual proof of that.
http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/09/18/puzzle-quest-set-at-1200-msft-points

I suppose it could've been nudged up due to all the anticipation, mind.

[jpublic]

I'll pick this up if they actually add *more* to the game. Irritated the crap out of me that half the map was unused.

[EternalGamer]

Maybe it is just wishful thinking but someone in the Neogaf thread posted that it ws suppoesd to be around 1200. If it is more than 1600 ($20) then I'd have to think about it before I buy. Downloadable versions should be cheaper than physical products.

[Gorvi]

Online multiplayer with this is the huge draw here, IMO. The 360 d-pad will be a pain in the ass, and otherwise, I think the game fits a portable format a bit better, but still.

[EternalGamer]

Online multiplayer with this is the huge draw here, IMO. The 360 d-pad will be a pain in the ass, and otherwise, I think the game fits a portable format a bit better, but still.

That's why you don't use the D-pad. Puzzle Fighter and Lumines worked great with the analog. I imagine this will be similar.

[Gorvi]

That's why you don't use the D-pad. Puzzle Fighter and Lumines worked great with the analog. I imagine this will be similar.
That'd feel kinda weird, but I guess that could work.

[EternalGamer]

I thought it would be awful before I tried it too, but it worked great for those two games.

[Kelegacy]

Oh fuck. I didn't realize this was out this week. I thought next year. Oh damn, oh crap. Heard awesome things about this game. Addiction awesome.

I'm buying it if it's affordable. I'd pay 20 bucks I guess for the full game, but if they break it into segments like Lumines, they can kiss my hairy ass.

[EternalGamer]

Same for me. $20 or less for the full game and I'm sold. Even my 60 year old mother was playing this on her DS and both my brothers were addicted to it. I passed on it six months ago waiting for this version.

[gzsfrk]

I take comfort in the fact that there's almost no scenario in my mind through which they could screw up this game's port to XBLA. If it's just a straight port of the DS version with upconverted visuals I'd be fine with it, so long as it had easy match-made online play, leaderboards, and reasonable achievements.

[Teh Super King]

As long as it is around $20 I"m buying it. Been holding out on the DS version cause I heard about the 360 one... Hopefully it's worth the wait. :)

[EternalGamer]

Well the PC version had HD versions of the sprites, so I would assume it would be real HD not just an upconversion.

[bapenguin]

It's been quoted at 1200, actually.
EDIT: How about I give some actual proof of that.
http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/09/18/puzzle-quest-set-at-1200-msft-points

I suppose it could've been nudged up due to all the anticipation, mind.

Wow. Color me impressed. I've had some conversations that really made me think this was going to be a highly priced title. I hope they didn't split it up like EternalGamer said. $15 is half the price of retail though.

[bapenguin]

Well the PC version had HD versions of the sprites, so I would assume it would be real HD not just an upconversion.

I saw this at PAX, it was definitely not an up conversion. The graphics looked native.

[EternalGamer]

Wow. Color me impressed. I've had some conversations that really made me think this was going to be a highly priced title. I hope they didn't split it up like EternalGamer said. $15 is half the price of retail though.

Actually at $15, as long as I got the single player game, I'd be fine. They can charge a separate price for the multiplayer if they like. I only care about the single player anyway. But it needs to be the full single player game.

But perhaps they just want to good sales. They don't have the overhead of publishing physical copies. It would be nice if we see some of that savings for once.

[bapenguin]

Actually at $15, as long as I got the single player game, I'd be fine. They can charge a separate price for the multiplayer if they like. I only care about the single player anyway. But it needs to be the full single player game.

But perhaps they just want to good sales. They don't have the overhead of publishing physical copies. It would be nice if we see some of that savings for once.

I wonder if they'll have the main quest line and then the side quests will be DLC. I like the idea of splitting SP and MP though.

[menage]

Finally I've been waiting ages for this.

Now I must tie up my gitlfriend. She played the PC demo for hours and is currently playing Blue Dragon as well. I'm afraid I'm going to lose my 360 to her this week:P

[EternalGamer]

I wonder if they'll have the main quest line and then the side quests will be DLC. I like the idea of splitting SP and MP though.

Ugh, now that turns my stomach. I dont advertising in games to get me to buy more stuff. Seeing quest lines in games that you can't access w/ throwing more money at them is a very bad road to start traveling down.

But I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt for now and assume they are doing something awesome and giving it to us for an actual cheaper price given that it isn't a physical product.

[Kelegacy]

Is there any way to get confirmation of the price and how it will be broken up, if at all? I mean, the game comes out in just a few days.

[Resarf]

Saw this listed under new releases a few days ago and got excited, only to relise it was for the theme and gamer pics. :(

1200 Points is a steal for this game. That's cheaper than the PC version.

[Gnomesbane]

I played this on the devnet a while back. I'm fairly sure the entire game came in one download.

[EternalGamer]

I played this on the devnet a while back. I'm fairly sure the entire game came in one download.

Awesome. There you go Kel. If the price holds it looks like it will be 1200 for the full game.

Please nobody tell MS. If they know we were actually getting a deal for once on a Live download, they might panic.

Actually, there is one exception. I think the "Sega Vintage" collection (Golden Axe, Sonic 1 & 2, Streets of Rage 2) for $5 is the other great deal. But those were the only games where I felt i was getting a bargain. This will be the second.

[UnderHero5]

This game was awesome. Any one who hasn't played it on a portable needs to buy it.

I just hope they balanced the multiplayer, otherwise it's basically useless.

[Chris_D]

I hope they fixed the typos and display issues at least...

[Deepsleeper]

GS: You've just announced downloadable themes and gamer pictures. Does the game itself have hooks for extra downloadable content, such as new quests? What are your plans on that front?

SF: As you might well imagine, a game like Puzzle Quest is very content friendly. Quests, items, monsters, professions, spells, mounts, and companions could all be added into the game as extra content (and modders may very well do this when the PC version releases). I don't have anything official to announce yet about downloadable content on Xbox 360 Live Arcade, but it's certainly something we're currently working toward. And, you know, I just really want to play a rogue, so I'll probably get my way eventually!

Interesting interview with the creator of the game over http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/puzzlequestchallenge/news.html?sid=6180450&om_act=convert&om_clk=multimodule&tag=multimodule;picks;title;2
here, which should soothe people's worries a bit. Looks like everything's well in hand.

(Can somebody drop me a PM with the proper way to format a link around here, or a general 'posting FAQ'? My posts lately are making me look bad.)

[menage]

Awesome. There you go Kel. If the price holds it looks like it will be 1200 for the full game.

Please nobody tell MS. If they know we were actually getting a deal for once on a Live download, they might panic.

Actually, there is one exception. I think the "Sega Vintage" collection (Golden Axe, Sonic 1 & 2, Streets of Rage 2) for $5 is the other great deal. But those were the only games where I felt i was getting a bargain. This will be the second.


I didn´t think Puzzle Fighter, Prince of Persia, Alien Hominid, Castelvania, etc were rip offs.

[Darkmatter]

Let's just hope they don't pull a Lumines with this one.

I was actually looking at Lumines the other day since it was suppose to be so amazing. I have a DS but not a PSP so I guess my only choice would be XBLA. Could someone tell me whats "wrong" with the XBLA version before I shell out points for it?

On another note, I've never played or even seen Puzzle Quest being played so I have no idea if I could justify that amount of points.

Thanks

[EternalGamer]

I didn´t think Puzzle Fighter, Prince of Persia, Alien Hominid, Castelvania, etc were rip offs.

I didn't think those were rip offs, but I also didn't think they were bargains (though Castlevania a lot of fun to play through again). I bought all of those except Alien Hominid. I already got suckered in to AH when it was a $30 PS2 game and I was highly disappointed. The one hit kills and infinite enemies bugged the hell out of me. I wouldn't have paid $5 for it on XBL.

[EternalGamer]

I was actually looking at Lumines the other day since it was suppose to be so amazing. I have a DS but not a PSP so I guess my only choice would be XBLA. Could someone tell me whats "wrong" with the XBLA version before I shell out points for it?

On another note, I've never played or even seen Puzzle Quest being played so I have no idea if I could justify that amount of points.

Thanks

The problem with Lumines is that they chopped off the features and sold them all separate. The multiplayer is a seperate transaction. So is the "Puzzle" mode. So is the "advanced skins" and a bunch of other packs. To buy everything you are talking about over $30.

[UnderHero5]

I was actually looking at Lumines the other day since it was suppose to be so amazing. I have a DS but not a PSP so I guess my only choice would be XBLA. Could someone tell me whats "wrong" with the XBLA version before I shell out points for it?

On another note, I've never played or even seen Puzzle Quest being played so I have no idea if I could justify that amount of points.

Thanks

If you have a PS2, you could also get Lumines Plus (http://www.amazon.com/Lumines-Plus-for-PlayStation-2/dp/B000G7YYGS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-9060372-6173414?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1191686152&sr=8-2) for $20 (or less).

Just another option, if you really want to play the game, and don't own a PSP. It's at its best as a portable game, imo.

[EternalGamer]

That is a great deal, but I do find that when it comes to pick and play type games, having them DLC makes it to where I actually play them a lot more. No need to load it up, you can just play a quick game while you are waiting for a demo to download or while you are waiting for friends to hop on line. Download games are really the ideal place for these types of games, in my opinion, even over portables.

[LongStepMantis]

I just wish it would come out for PC already. I was one of those sad individuals who played the PC demo, then went to their website with the intention of buying the full version...only to realize there wasn't one yet. Yay.

[Talanvor]

I just might have to pick this up. I already beat it on the DS, but it'd be great to see it on the big screen and be able to play via Live.

[gzsfrk]

Now I must tie up my gitlfriend.

Hey, if you're into that and she's willing, knock yourself out. (Or let her do it--she might be into the rough stuff too. :) )

[Adam Blue]

I'll be getting it. I was always debating between the PSP and DS version...but now I think this will do.

[Shodan2020]

About goddamn time! I've been waiting sooo long for this game to grace XBLA. :)

[mister_slim]

Oh, and it looks like Everyday Shooter hits PSN Thursday. Good week.

[UnderHero5]

Oh, and it looks like Everyday Shooter hits PSN Thursday. Good week.

Sexcellent!

[techromage]

Puzzle Quest eh? I've heard everyone from Penny-Arcade, to people here, to the guys at my local Babbages talking about this game. I guess now would be as good a time as any to download the trial version and see what all the fuss is aboot.

[Salamande]

Oh, and it looks like Everyday Shooter hits PSN Thursday. Good week.

If you are lying about this, I'll kill you dead. It seems like I've been waiting forever for that damn game.

[Kelegacy]

Okay, in order to buy a 1200 pt game you have to either buy 2000 pts, or buy 1000 pts and THEN a 500 pt pack. THEN you can use the points to buy the game, but you'll have a chronic credit attached to your system because they just made you spend $25 or $18.75 for a $15 game.

That's fucking ridiculous. Just accept my card #s and let me buy the game for 15 bucks, please?

[EternalGamer]

I bought two $40 point cards at Circuit city when they were doing their their "Buy one get one for half off" sale and i got a $20 point card for $5 when I reserved Halo 3 at Best Buy, so between those two deals, I'm pretty happy with the point cards. If they were an exact 1 to 1, you'd never have "sales" like that. If you keep an eye out, you can actually turn the stupid system to your favor.

[torrefaction]

PErfect. I can't wait.

[maharahaj]

As someone who played the DS version, I do not see how they could separate the main story quest from the side quests. It is all one, universal map that you move around on ala Final Fantasy Tactics. Plus, you need to do the side quests in order to gain enough experience to compete in the Main Story line. Each "quest", be it side story or main, consists of just 1 or 2 one on one battles. There just happens to be a ton of quests or monsters roaming the map that compose the game.

Either way, its a must buy for those who don't own a portable version.

[Disgustipated]

Loved this game, but I already have it on DS. I do have the XBLA points to buy it, however... hmm... Castlevania Symphony of the Night or this

Edit: Wait, $15? For a game I already have? Pass. :P I would buy Castlevania again for $10, although I'll probably get it on PSP./

[51|RandoM]

Downloadable versions should be cheaper than physical products.

I see people saying that but none of them can ever back it up with real numbers.

The pricing for downloadable content is set by what people are willing to pay for it, regardless of how it compares to retail pricing.

I'm willing to pay more for downloadable versions than physical products because the increased convenience saves me a lot of money.

[Zander]

If they didn't rebalance the multiplayer then I'll pass.

The DS/PSP versions were horribly unbalanced towards 2 of the 4 classes in the game. Like broken unbalanced.

[IrishWhiskey]

I see people saying that but none of them can ever back it up with real numbers.Well its hard to back something up with real numbers when its just a "should" opinion.
The pricing for downloadable content is set by what people are willing to pay for it, regardless of how it compares to retail pricing.Pricing for DLC is set by companies at what they think will make them the most money. It goes without saying that sometimes they get it wrong. Bankshot Billiards is still overpriced, even after a price cut, as is Tetris, with all the DLC that came out the same day the game released. Other games like Castlevania and Puzzle Fighter seem like good deals, as long as that sort of game appeals to you. And some, like Sonic and Frogger, might not appeal to you that much, but are cheap enough to be impulse buys.

I personally agree that Downloadables should be cheaper, as the company is bypassing the retail chains, which take a share of the profit (if the downloadable system is taking more profit that the chain stores, that obviously doesn't apply), because there are no packaging costs, and because they don't lose any money to resold used copies of the games (which are being sold in more and more places). For all there reasons the company should be making more from the game, and could easily pass the savings onto consumers.

[IrishWhiskey]

The problem with Lumines is that they chopped off the features and sold them all separate. The multiplayer is a seperate transaction. So is the "Puzzle" mode. So is the "advanced skins" and a bunch of other packs. To buy everything you are talking about over $30.Worth pointing out though that just the basic game itself includes the challenge mode, skin edit, and timed mode. There's no puzzle mode or whatever, but those aren't that fun or substantive anyway. I don't recommend getting all the DLC, but you don't need to in order to enjoy the game.

[Camel]

I actually sold my DS copy of the game and decided to wait for the PC version. And I'm still waiting! I figured it would take no time at all since the demo was released on the PC, but I guess not.

[bean19]

Okay, in order to buy a 1200 pt game you have to either buy 2000 pts, or buy 1000 pts and THEN a 500 pt pack. THEN you can use the points to buy the game, but you'll have a chronic credit attached to your system because they just made you spend $25 or $18.75 for a $15 game.

That's fucking ridiculous. Just accept my card #s and let me buy the game for 15 bucks, please?

Hehe. That's so true.

Well, it helped me cash in on some points at Circuit City because they viewed the points as an accessory. However, I'm sure that I've wasted about $20 on games I never play because they were purchased with "left over" points before.

Playing devil's advocate here because I agree with you, but:

1. The points are there due to different territories purchasing games and wanting to be able to change rates based on different currency values. This is simpler for Microsoft, but it is also simpler for small developers who release internationally via Xbox Live Arcade.

2. There will come a time when you don't buy anything else on Xbox Live, but that point is probably 3 years from now. You aren't really wasting your money unless you are like me and impulse shop with leftover points.

[J Arcane]

I just wish it would come out for PC already. I was one of those sad individuals who played the PC demo, then went to their website with the intention of buying the full version...only to realize there wasn't one yet. Yay.
I too intend to acquire the PC version. The fonts and such in the console versions just look ugly, and I couldn't stand staring at them that long. Plus the game just plays much easier with a mouse.

There's also the fact that the PC version looks to be exceedingly easily moddable (as in, I could do some basic graphic replacement myself, and I'm not even a programmer), so we may see all kinds of fun stuff for the PC version that other platforms will never see.

[bean19]

I personally agree that Downloadables should be cheaper, as the company is bypassing the retail chains, which take a share of the profit (if the downloadable system is taking more profit that the chain stores, that obviously doesn't apply), because there are no packaging costs, and because they don't lose any money to resold used copies of the games (which are being sold in more and more places). For all there reasons the company should be making more from the game, and could easily pass the savings onto consumers.

Why should they be cheaper? They seem pretty cheap to me. . . I mean, the ones I want. I got a pinball game, Puzzle Fighter HD, Luxor 2, Worms, and Carcassone for $10. I'm happy to pay $15 for Puzzle Quest (if it is not hacked up into bits that require additional purchases like Lumines). There is a lot of shovelware that is too expensive (at least to me), but no one is making anyone buy everything.

Yes, it is inexpensive to deliver (small downloads) and host. Additionally, there is no real marketing budget beyond the demos, which are also inexpensive. This means that it is almost pure profit minus Microsoft's cut for providing the service. . . but what about these prices is high again?

[BlackPete]

If they didn't rebalance the multiplayer then I'll pass.

The DS/PSP versions were horribly unbalanced towards 2 of the 4 classes in the game. Like broken unbalanced.

I played this on devnet a while back and it did look like they made some gameplay changes so that it wasn't quite so "abusable" towards the end of the game.

This is pretty close to the DS version but it is NOT an identical clone. I haven't played it in a while so I'm not sure what further changes/tuning they may have made since then.

[IrishWhiskey]

Why should they be cheaper? They seem pretty cheap to me. . . I mean, the ones I want. I got a pinball game, Puzzle Fighter HD, Luxor 2, Worms, and Carcassone for $10. I'm happy to pay $15 for Puzzle Quest (if it is not hacked up into bits that require additional purchases like Lumines). There is a lot of shovelware that is too expensive (at least to me), but no one is making anyone buy everything.

Yes, it is inexpensive to deliver (small downloads) and host. Additionally, there is no real marketing budget beyond the demos, which are also inexpensive. This means that it is almost pure profit minus Microsoft's cut for providing the service. . . but what about these prices is high again?No one is arguing that the prices are high (except for things like Bankshot and Tetris where its just my opinion). Thats obviously a completely subjective matter based on income and reference.

What I am arguing is that because costs of production and distribution for downloadable games are generally less that retail copies, they should be slightly cheaper relative to the in store games. Its basic economics that when production costs decrease, it makes sense to decrease the cost of the product to consumers, and therefore sell more. There are certainly some exceptions, such as when you will be selling to a fixed number of consumers regardless of cost, but I don't believe that applies here.

[bean19]

IrishWhiskey - Well, aren't XBLA games cheaper than they would be in stores? Puzzle Quest on the DS is is $30. Luxor 2 on the PC is $20 (though it is also downloadable content).

These are the types of games that you might find on a discount software display for about $10 though, and they cost about $10 to buy online. Still those discount software piles are all old games that publishers are trying to make a final dime on. They don't market them or buy shelf space. In fact, the deal is pretty similar except that the retailer is making a good profit margin instead of Microsoft. It doesn't cost much of anything to print a paper case and a CD (or CDs) after all.

If we talk about Steam games. . . not budget software, then the costs of full marketing still exist. Additionally, the games are still being sold at retail which means that retail costs still partially apply and that the developer would be foolish to allow Steam to undercut their brick & mortar price because that would lead to fewer b&m store sales that would cause their product to not stay on those shelves as long as well as pissing off the publisher that is only making money off the physical sales.

So the economics are right for budget titles, and they won't change with online sales until B&M stores are gone and done. When we get to the point where downloadable content is the main way to get games, then you'll be right that they are ripping us off, because the prices WON'T come down. Also, at that point, the cruel overlords that will be sending development companies into the ground will be the game publishers (see console manufacturers - Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo). . . though, in reality, they'll probably be seeing more of the money from their games even with the digital distributors' hands in their pockets. That's where the competition is helpful. . . if the deal is bad then developer X could always choose to go with a different platform.

[EL CABONG]

Crap between PQ,Halo 3 and the Orange box and working/eating /sleeping I am going to be busy next week.

1200 points is fine with me. I played the pc demo. I think 15 bucks for PQ with live play is a sweet deal.

[Chris_D]

I played this on devnet a while back and it did look like they made some gameplay changes so that it wasn't quite so "abusable" towards the end of the game.

This is pretty close to the DS version but it is NOT an identical clone. I haven't played it in a while so I'm not sure what further changes/tuning they may have made since then.

What were the abuses? I found the game got easier as you progressed, and the boss fell over in a few rounds first go. But just wondering if there were specific items, or classes?

[Zander]

What were the abuses? I found the game got easier as you progressed, and the boss fell over in a few rounds first go. But just wondering if there were specific items, or classes?

Basically, end-game Warrior with the right build (which is super easy to make) can basically one-shot the enemy for a quick win. Think put every point in red mana, firewalker staff and a bunch of +damage gear and you can one-shot with deathbringer. Really the only counter is a very specifically created druid build that is built to resist spells.

[mister_slim]

If you are lying about this, I'll kill you dead. It seems like I've been waiting forever for that damn game.

It was the Coming Soon game on the last PSN email. So far those have all come out the next week.

[Spigot]

Woohoo.

I think I might have traded in my DS copy a little while ago but I fully intended to get this when it comes out. Give me some achievements, online play and improved visuals and I'll be more than happy to give it a home on my 360.

Such a great game though. It got me through the wait for the birth of our second child and the long days in the hospital afterwards.

THe only thing that will keep me from getting this is, like others, if they've hacked the game up into little bits a la Lumines.

Speaking of annoying DLC issues, WTF is up with the 300 50 point useless items loaded in with Tetris Splash. Good game, but I feel sad for anyone who actually buys those fish and backgrounds. That annoyed me. What most games would load in for free they try to nickle & dime out of you.

[Sl1pstream]

I just picked this up for DS, thinking it would take a while for it to hit XBLA. I guess I'll pick it up again then.

[beefyjr]

The problem with Lumines is that they chopped off the features and sold them all separate. The multiplayer is a seperate transaction. So is the "Puzzle" mode. So is the "advanced skins" and a bunch of other packs. To buy everything you are talking about over $30.
Multiplayer is NOT a separate transaction. You can play multiplayer "out-of-the-box," so to speak.

The real problem with Lumines is they weren't upfront about what you were getting when it first dropped. There's nothing like paying $15 for essentially half a game and not realizing it. At the time, it wasn't until after you bought it that you realized that they axed a bunch of content with the plan to sell it to you after the fact.

For a game like Lumines that kind of approach actually makes a lot of sense to me, because I'm not necessarily interested in every mode or skin pack; but the base pack should have been priced accordingly and not as a full title.

[EternalGamer]

I bought Lumines and two of the packs. I couldn't remember exactly what came with it. I just know that it was so little content that you could complete all the levels you got with it in a matter of a half hour or so. Then you had to start buying stuff.

[General Ewok]

I'll pick this up if they actually add *more* to the game. Irritated the crap out of me that half the map was unused.

Does anyone know what extra content will be in the XBL arcade version?

[BlackPete]

Basically, end-game Warrior with the right build (which is super easy to make) can basically one-shot the enemy for a quick win. Think put every point in red mana, firewalker staff and a bunch of +damage gear and you can one-shot with deathbringer. Really the only counter is a very specifically created druid build that is built to resist spells.

There was also a knight build that lets you set up an near-infinite combo so you get insane experience points, level up to 50 quickly, AND guaranteed to win.

I really don't recommend making builds like that, it really does take all the fun out of the game.

[Spigot]

I played through as a Mage and had some awesome spells near the end. I'd hit the level 50 cap before I'd finished the game, but it was still fun.

[BlackPete]

I played through as a Mage and had some awesome spells near the end. I'd hit the level 50 cap before I'd finished the game, but it was still fun.

Well... I was actually referring to the "Knight's Favor" loop so you'd get endless 4-of-a-kind and 5-of-a-kind over and over again. You could easily rack up 2000xp per battle, your opponent never gets a turn, and you rack up infinite mana to kill him with at your own leisure :)

Levelling up "normally" is easy too... so those crazy loops really aren't necessary.

[EL CABONG]

Does anyone know what extra content will be in the XBL arcade version?

You can play players on Xbox live.

[Salamande]

Well... I was actually referring to the "Knight's Favor" loop so you'd get endless 4-of-a-kind and 5-of-a-kind over and over again. You could easily rack up 2000xp per battle, your opponent never gets a turn, and you rack up infinite mana to kill him with at your own leisure :)

Levelling up "normally" is easy too... so those crazy loops really aren't necessary.
They'd better straighten that shit out if they really want people to take multiplayer seriously. I got enough of infinite combos in my Street Fighter days; I don't need them in my puzzle games, too!

[mister_slim]

They'd better straighten that shit out if they really want people to take multiplayer seriously. I got enough of infinite combos in my Street Fighter days; I don't need them in my puzzle games, too!

They did. There's now a 1-to-5 turn cooldown period for spells. Also, I added your Wii code. Mine's in my profile.

[Zander]

They did. There's now a 1-to-5 turn cooldown period for spells. Also, I added your Wii code. Mine's in my profile.

Excellent news. IMHO overusing spells is what broke the game, making the game more reliant on "normal" damage (damage from normal skull matching) is a very very good thing.

[Spigot]

Excellent news. IMHO overusing spells is what broke the game, making the game more reliant on "normal" damage (damage from normal skull matching) is a very very good thing.
Aye. Very good news indeed. As much as it was nice to do uber combos and slap the snot out of the enemies by the endgame, it was a little cheap.

[J Arcane]

I'm not happy at all about such a change. The previous system felt like an RPG with a puzzle element, with the puzzle part mainly about collecting mana, and the skulls being like bonus damage.

Adding cooldowns to artificially force more skull use is kind of pointless anyway, because at least against the computer, any potential skull matches get used right away anyway, because the computer rarely lets them slip, so if you don't use them right away, it will.

All you're really doing is slowing the game down in the end by reducing the usage frequency of spells, and thus, their usefulness, and thus de-emphasizing the RPG element to the gameplay.

It's a poor decision, and if it follows through to the PC version I will be very disappointed if it's not an optional rule.

[LongStepMantis]

Just wanted to let all of you waiting for the PC release like me, that one of the devs said this on their messageboard:

The PC & XBLA versions have the same ruleset, things have been re-balanced since the original demo. They are quite similar except for two things:
(a) The XBLA version has much better multiplayer support and all the cool things like achievements
(b) The PC version will be quite mod-friendly

He talks a few times about how they want the PC version to be highly modable. A few instances of this have already been posted by others, and this seems to confirm it further. Good news for the PC crowd. I could see this game being INSANELY addictive if it has a decent number of mods, as well as a decent editor included. And I think my wife is more excited about this news than I am. She's a casual gamer through and through (most of her games come from sites like reflexive) and she played the demo more than I did.

[Camel]

LongStepMantis - Thanks for the info! I was starting to think that a PC version might never come. I normally like achievements (I like having a bunch of mini-goals to work towards in a game), but playing with a mouse and the potential awesomeness mods could add tip the scales overwhelmingly towards the PC version for me.

And also:
I'm not happy at all about such a change. The previous system felt like an RPG with a puzzle element, with the puzzle part mainly about collecting mana, and the skulls being like bonus damage.

I agree with this statement completely. When I played the DS version, a big part of the fun was trying to get certain colors of mana to unleash some devastating spell while hoping the computer wouldn't do too much damage with the skulls you were ignoring in the meantime. I'm really hoping for some options when it comes to spell cooldowns.