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Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

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9.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 41 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 25 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: D3 Publisher of America

Developer: Infinite Interactive Pty. Ltd. - 1st Playable Productions

Genre(s): Puzzle

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: March 20, 2007

Summary

Set in the Warlords universe, Puzzle Quest challenges gamers to create, develop and customize the ultimate hero to save the land of Etheria from the evil Lord Bane. In order to advance, players battle in turn-based, head-to-head "match-three" style puzzle games in one of three distinct gameplay modes: Single-player allows gamers to battle against the computer AI as they embark on over 150 challenging quests, Instant Action allows gamers to jump in and immediately play continuous battles to level-up characters without participating in quests, and Multiplayer allows gamers to battle live opponents via wireless connectivity. Victory will advance the player’s hero, magical arsenal, creature companions and more - ultimately rewarding gamers at nearly every turn and providing endless hours of replayablity. [D3Publisher of America]

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Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

GameShark

In the end, that’s all this game is about: experience. The time you spend earning it is well worth it, not just because it makes your hero stronger but also because of the additive fun you have along the way.

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Sydney Morning Herald

So addictive it should come with a warning sticker on the box.

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Gamers' Temple

Portable RPGs have become pretty stale of late, and Puzzle Quest is just the breath of fresh air the genre needs.

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games(TM)

Puzzle Quest’s battles demand so much and give so much in return that players will find themselves hunting down every optional fight and undertaking each side quest in order to squeeze every last drop of gameplay from this utterly absorbing adventure. [June 2007, p.110]

Gaming Nexus

Even if you're not into puzzlers or role-playing games, this is definitely one game you can't let slip by.

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GamePro

Deep and engaging puzzle action with a heaping tablespoon of RPG elements on top. Should come with a warning label--it's that addictive.

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NintendoWorldReport

Puzzle game fans should be pleasantly surprised at how the simplistic Bejeweled gameplay is twisted and enhanced to keep engaging your brain.

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IGN

What a pleasant surprise Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords turned out to be. The unlikely marriage of puzzle gameplay with RPG mechanics makes for one of the most addictive DS experiences yet.

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netjak

The game isn't pretty and can be frustrating when the A.I. decides there's no bleeping way you're winning a fight, but an addictive battle system and surprisingly in-depth RPG elements will keep most players interested for a long time.

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Games Master UK

Coming completely out of nowhere, this is a brilliant mix of puzzling and advertising. [June 2007, p.68]

Cheat Code Central

This game has taken the best aspects of two winning genres and created an experience that is both original and rewarding. Both puzzle hounds and dungeon crawlers alike will find this game to be just what the doctor ordered.

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Just RPG

All in all, Puzzle Quest is an addictive experience that should easily please both the hardcore and casual gamer. The enjoyable puzzle-style gameplay and the easy learning curve also make it a great way to introduce newcomers to the RPG genre.

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PALGN

A worthwhile addition to anyone’s DS collection. And if you love puzzle games, then you won’t be disappointed with Puzzle Quest.

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1UP

The majority of my Puzzle Quest hours were logged on the DS, and though the PSP version does look a hell of a lot nicer, I liked the convenience of the stylus for moving puzzle blocks.

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Worth Playing

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords has a truly unique concept and includes the ability to appeal to both role-playing and puzzle fans alike.

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Deeko

If you are a puzzle fan and hate role-playing games, you'll love it. If you're a role-playing lover who despises puzzle games, you'll want to hug it.

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Nintendojo

Kudos to 1st Playable for combining two great genres that surprisingly play great together.

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AtomicGamer

The story won't win any awards, but you can always skip it and just get right to the meat of the game.

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GamerNode

Puzzle Quest is just plain great. The PSP is the better version, but if you only have a DS you should still pick it up.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

More compelling than a glorified Flash game ought to be.

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Game Revolution

For either system, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is a portable addiction, and while I recommend the PSP version, the DS game is almost as good.

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Game Almighty

Easily the best puzzle game yet released on the DS.

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Game Informer

The AI seems insanely good one minute then misses an obvious attack the next, and the story is completely throwaway, but there is enough gameplay here to keep puzzle fans busy for a long time. [May 2007, p.99]

GameSpot

The parts may seem commonplace, but Puzzle Quest's blend of RPG and puzzle-game convention makes for something refreshingly unique and dangerously addictive.

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Games Radar (in-house)

The PSP version loads a bit more slowly but looks better, and the DS version features lightning-fast loads but tosses in slightly sluggish, clunky touch-controls.

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GameSpy

A gaming experience unlike any other available today, and one that you absolutely shouldn't miss.

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GameZone

A solid, entertaining slice of dual-genre pie. I like the puzzle fighting, I liked the plot, I liked the game.

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Modojo

An addictive, entertaining affair that takes a little bit of patience and learning to get down the basics. Once learned, however, you'll be hooked in no time flat and unwilling to turn a cold shoulder to it.

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WHAM! Gaming

Don’t be put off by this oddball mixture of a casual puzzle game and a fantasy role-playing adventure. Puzzle Quest is stellar as both, and amazingly addictive.

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GameDaily

Sure, the puzzle format looks like the classic PDA/online/cell phone favorite, but 1st Playable Productions has wisely blended in some RPG components, which rewards gamers with an incredibly deep experience.

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Eurogamer

It has excellent local wireless multiplayer.

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Pocket Gamer UK

Puzzle Quest very successfully mixes the depth of an RPG with a neat puzzle-based battle mode.

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NGamer UK

"Zoo Keeper: The RPG." As barmy as that might sound, that's about the best way to describe PQ: CTW. [June 2007, p.71]

G4 TV

It’s a fun game, wherever the credit is due.

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Thunderbolt

It's a perfect game for handhelds, combining the simplicity of puzzles with the addictive nature of RPGs. Even though it sounds like the result of an executive meeting gone horribly awry, Puzzle Quest is actually a great piece of synergy.

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Gamestyle

It’s an interesting idea taking both of these two distinctively different genres are brought together, and for the most part they work.

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Detroit Free Press

A must-have for anyone who loves both RPGs and puzzles, and will probably delight anyone who's a fan of either genre.

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The New York Times

The game does an admirable job of adding some strategic depth and complexity to the casual game model without losing its pick-up-and-play nature.

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AceGamez

Stands on its own as a weird hybrid between RPG and puzzle games. Although the morphing process is not without its flaws, the final result is highly interesting.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

The genre-mixing is a nice enough idea but you end up with an exhausted puzzler with some pretty flimsy RPG elements tacked on. It all seems a little flat. [May 2007, p.90]

Nintendo Power

Also, the fact that enemy AI just happens to execute almost every move with near-perfection by lining up multiple turns in a row makes for some frustrating gameplay. [May 2007, p.87]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Cory G. gave it a9:
Puzzle Quest is easily the most addicting and fun game to come out on the DS in a very long time. The battle system is fantastic enough to keep you interested through the otherwise boring story mode. The four different classes each play differantly enough to encourage multiple playthroughs, and each playthrough will last you easily over 10 hours, even without doing all the sidequests. Some annoying AI and s few bugs hold it back slightly, but the DS is still the best version of the game available, thanks to the dual screen layout and touch controls. Highly recommended.

Matt A. gave it an8:
This game is very addictive, and overall fun to play. The story is absolutely rediculous at times, and i laughed out loud at some of the dialogue. But the gameplay makes up for it, once you gain enough experience and are able to stand a fight against the sometimes self-favoring AI. This is a small problem, though, and as stated before is easily compensated for when you have more experience. The crashes are not that bad because the game saves after every battle, so nothing is really majorily lost. Solid game. 7.8 out 10.

James gave it a3:
The multiplayer is a blast but the single player contains some of the most rediculous unbalanced programming I have ever seen. The AI favors itself tastelessly, not even being subtle in giving itself four if not more moves in a row. Please imagine playing a standrad turn based RPG in which an enemy attacks once then gains four extra attacks for no apparent reason and you have a sense of what this game in single player boils down to. If the programmers were trying to demonstrate that an AI is "intelligent," then they fail miserably because cheating certainly does not constitute intelligence

Dustin L. gave it a9:
Easy to pick up and play. The RPG element keeps you coming back. It has been a long time since I played a RPG, and the experience may make me jump back into the genre.

Alan W. gave it a9:
Would be a 10 if not for the occasional crash- 1st DS game I've ever had crash on me! Overall though a superb RPG with an addictive puzzler twist!

Joe T. gave it a10:
Easily the best purchase (price to gameplay ratio) I've made for the DS. Incredibly addicting. If you like Bejeweled but found it just a bit repetitive and stagnate, this game is absolutely perfect. I haven't finished it yet and I'm already praying for a sequel.

Sean gave it a9:
Addictive as hell! Played it everyday since I bought it. Locked up a couple times, but it saves your game so often, you'll hardly notice. The story is a little lacking, but the gameplay makes up for it. It's a must buy puzzle game! Best thing since Tetris on the original NES.

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Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

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