Galactrix Web-Based Demo

modeps · 01-19-2009, 07:20 AM

For those of you eager to give Puzzle Quest: Galactrix a shot, you can now do so via their website. This is the follow up to Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords by Infinite Interactive who also developed Neopets Puzzle Adventure.

Demo_Boy · 01-19-2009, 08:27 AM

Takes all the charm of the original PQ theme and submissive simplicity of a falling match 3 game, and throws it out the window.

FAIL

Boramis · 01-19-2009, 08:54 AM

I have to agree. Maybe after you've played it for longer it becomes more obvious, but it didn't seem nearly as easy to get into as PQ did.

the Jack · 01-19-2009, 09:04 AM

A simple art switch of the first would suck a lot harder than this.

Coming up with a new platformer or FPS is as easy as making new characters and different guns. Creating a whole new puzzler? Yeah.

I like it. The shield mechanic is a nice touch, and the whole thing feels true to the chosen theme. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the art and game looks like.

Very cool of them to toss up a demo like this and get feedback rolling to they can polish even further.

Demo_Boy · 01-19-2009, 10:19 AM

is this for feedback?
I thought they were done.

Here's actionable feedback then.
The overshield mechanic is good.
The Red laser spell says your turn won't end, but it does.
Simplify and smooth over the screen so there is less tiny detail. Some examples:
Remove the badges from the colored gems
Replace the pips treatment of all the bars with solid bars.
Consider rounding the edges of the colored gems so they are easier on the eyes

Consider stylizing the portrait pictures of the characters - currently they look like Poser characters and they have terrible uncanny valley going on.

Simplify the decorative wings elements so they have less edges/blades

SalaciousPuck · 01-19-2009, 10:32 AM

I see potential. PQ has been my favorite, most played, XBLA game, and I'd buy this one day one just based on the preview here.....even if I suck at it right now.

Stryx74 · 01-19-2009, 11:08 AM

I was excited when I heard they were doing a scifi PQ and I think this confirms they're on track for another winner.

Whimbrel · 01-19-2009, 11:25 AM

I have only tried the demo a few times and I have to say that I completely suck at this game. I lost by quite a bit. I almost never had chains or novas, but my computer opponent had several in each game. Maybe there is a difficulty setting that I missed. I like puzzle games in general, though I rarely spend any time with them.

PostedOval · 01-19-2009, 12:52 PM

Uh...I lost BADLY... which is kinda surprising since I played the PSP and Xbox Arcade versions quite a bit. Might have to rethink this one... But I'll give it another go.

Charcoal · 01-19-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whimbrel

I have only tried the demo a few times and I have to say that I completely suck at this game. I lost by quite a bit. I almost never had chains or novas, but my computer opponent had several in each game. Maybe there is a difficulty setting that I missed. I like puzzle games in general, though I rarely spend any time with them.

Nah, it's just the AI cheating again.

/jokes

workerbee · 01-19-2009, 02:51 PM

It looks like the direction the gems travel when filling in the empty space is determined by the direction of the gem that you move, except in the case of space bombs, where it always fills in from the bottom.

And of course the AI is disingenuous - when studying a given "recommended" gem, moving that gem towards the only possible move will cause the board to be in a better layout for the AI than if you move the gem paired with the recommended gem and force the board to move in the other direction...

Next: what causes the bomb gems to increase in damage while on the board?

edit: correction - space bomb doesn't always fill in from the bottom. I just came back from a 1h/0s to 50h/20s deficit to beat the AI, so it can't be THAT smart...

modeps · 01-19-2009, 04:09 PM

I was under the impression that this was going to be Hexic based, and not a simple matching game...I'm actually pretty disappointed with it.

PostedOval · 01-19-2009, 04:45 PM

Hmmm... a bit more games under my belt, and I have to admit I'm not really impressed. That's too bad cuz the previous Puzzle Quest was a CLASSIC. Specifically, I don't like how the pieces more in all crazy directions... it's too hard to predict my next move and makes the game more difficult than it probably needs to be... And two, the patterns on the pieces makes my eyes go all swirly after a while...

InfiniteAmmo · 01-19-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demo_Boy

Consider rounding the edges of the colored gems so they are easier on the eyes

Simplify the decorative wings elements so they have less edges/blades

...sounds like you just want to play Puzzle Quest. Or Bejeweled.

Personally, aside from the glaring bug (Trident Laser, bah), I like this. I can see it being as addicting as the first PQ was. I fail to see what's so different about it, Demo_Boy, than the first iteration. Is it the circle board instead of the square? You're still trying to match 3 in a row.

Ah well. You can't please everyone, especially those as nitpicky as Demo_Boy.

blackzc · 01-19-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demo_Boy

Takes all the charm of the original PQ theme and submissive simplicity of a falling match 3 game, and throws it out the window.

FAIL

YEAH!!! FAILLL!!!!

JimmyDanger · 01-20-2009, 06:24 PM

Once I get used to the "effects of zerograv" - or however I'm supposed to judge which way the gems "fall" - I'll be on top of this.

Bloody addicting demo - and a good way to add a new element of unpredictability to the gameplay for us seasoned PQ players.

Love it!

(any date on the XBLA version more specific than "spring yet?)