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Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

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8.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 29 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 23 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: D3Publisher of America

Developer: Infinite Interactive Pty. Ltd

Genre(s): Puzzle

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: October 10, 2007

Summary

[Xbox Live Arcade] Designed specifically to entertain both casual and hardcore gamers with its deep immersion, five to fifteen minute play sessions and turn-based play style, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords incorporates strategy, role-playing elements and a persistent storyline in a puzzle board setting. Set in the Warlords universe, the game challenges players to create, develop and customize the ultimate hero in order to save the land of Etheria from evil Lord Bane. To advance their character, 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 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. 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 replayability. [D3Publisher of America]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameFAQs

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...

GamePro

Anyone with even a passing interest in puzzle or role-playing games should take a long hard look at this endlessly addictive gem. Chances are that within an hour of downloading the trial version you'll be looking to purchase it.

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Planet Xbox 360

Puzzle Quest reinvents the puzzle genre with its unique RPG laden gameplay. It is the kind of game that will need its own support group to assist all the addicted in the near future.

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Gaming Nexus

If you're one of those gamers who didn't pick the game up on one of the two portable systems earlier in the year, then this Xbox Live Arcade version is a must-buy.

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GameFocus

One of the best XBLA games out there.

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Video Game Talk

While 1200 points seems like a hefty price for an Xbox Live Arcade release, this is actually the cheapest version (PC, DS, PSP) of Puzzle Quest: CotW in existence.

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Play.tm

Throw in a nice selection of Achievements for you Gamerscore junkies, and you have a nice little package, very attractive for the price.

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Game Positive

If you like puzzle games, then you should definitely check out Puzzle Quest. It is a puzzle game with a purpose, and that small detail helps make it one of the best of the genre.

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Gaming Target

This is by far the best XBLA title yet, and despite the relatively high price tag, it actually offers incredible bang for the buck.

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Game Over Online

The crazy thing is you’ll undoubtedly spend more time playing Puzzle Quest than most of the $60-70 games in your collection. It’s fun, addictive and easily ranks among the very best offerings on Xbox Live Arcade.

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AceGamez

After playing Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, I couldn't help but feel surprised that a game like this hasn't been made sooner - what seems like an unlikely combination ends up being a perfect match.

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Games Master UK

RPG action meets addictive puzzling in one of this year's best games. [Dec 2007, p.84]

Gamers' Temple

I’ve played plenty of XBLA games, and many are fun for a little bit and then lose their appeal. That’s not the case with Puzzle Quest. The game has the depth of a regular title and so delivers the kind of game experience that will keep you coming back for more.

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Game Chronicles

A game that grabs you and doesn’t let go. It is one of the most addicting arcade games that I have ever played.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

One of the most addictive games we've enjoyed in recent years. [Christmas 2007, p.106]

Xboxic

The blend of puzzle and RPG has really been thought about, and it works very well in this instance. Despite the storyline being slightly lacklustre, the other RPG elements such as the expansion possibilities and the leveling up all make up for it.

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Eurogamer

Spruced up from the PSP and offered for 10 quid, it's probably the best release on Microsoft's clever little service all year.

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GameSpot

Big, crisp graphics and online multiplayer markedly improve Puzzle Quest's oddly hypnotic blend of RPG and puzzle-game conventions.

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IGN

The unlikely marriage of puzzle gameplay with RPG mechanics makes for one of the most addictive experiences available on Microsoft's downloadable service. The minor glitches that were apparent in the DS version are nowhere to be found here.

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MS Xbox World

This is probably one of the best XBLA releases yet and at half the retail price of what the DS/PSP version launched at Puzzle Quest a must own for 360 owners.

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Digital Entertainment News

Puzzle Quest does an amazing job bringing together the puzzle and RPG genres together in a game that is easily one of the best XBLA titles this year. Don't miss it.

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Just RPG

There are plenty of reasons to keep on playing Puzzle Quest even after you’ve beaten it the first time! Not only is Puzzle Quest a lengthy adventure, but you can play along with a friend on Live and battle it out, go for a quick fight with Instant Action, or play a customized battle and Choose Your Opponent. Not to mention gamers may want to toy with the various difficulty and time settings for the game if you want a new challenge.

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Team Xbox

Somehow, the developers managed to take two distinct and different genres and blend them together into a seamless and wholly entertaining experience.

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Official Xbox Magazine

Costly though it may be, Puzzle Quest is an undeniably and deceptively addicting hybrid. [Nov 2007, p.92]

Games Radar (in-house)

Online play adds a bit of longevity to an already full-featured game, especially since you can actually take your personal character online to compete in player matches and ranked games. Puzzle Quest is a fabulous addition to the 360's downloadable game library - a game that successfully crosses genres and does it with a lot of style.

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X360 Magazine UK

We just cannot deny its addictiveness, nor its ability to draw us into the next battle. [Issue 27, p.116]

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

The handheld mashup of "Bejeweled" and RPG has finally hit the TV screen. and it's just as addictive as ever. [Dec 2007, p.69]

GotNext

Despite the all-but-broken strategy of the core gameplay, Puzzle Quest can easily knock hours off the clock without trying.

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GamerNode

It really is just a simple amalgamation of two genres. It goes without saying that this amalgamation is going to spawn countless sequels and knock-offs, and hopefully then we will see what this new genre is truly capable of.

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Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

A bit pricey for a game so close to "Bejeweled," but the RPG element genuinely adds to the package. [Christmas 2007, p.98]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 23 User Votes

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

Marc. D. gave it a9:
Simply put...its an unusual and utterly compelling gaming experience which will draw you in with its accessibility and stun you with its hidden depth.

Phil C. gave it a7:
This is addictive, but it gets repetitive. While there are a lot of options in terms of 'spells' and 'mounts' and so on, the game amounts to an addictive puzzle game made to feel more significant by adding on a story and basic modifiers that affect how the puzzle game plays out. It gets frustrating once you realise that every new element, be it a spell or new companion, just adds another twist to the same basic puzzle game. I'm far in and it's getting very frustrating to have to 'fight' against the most basic monsters that just appear randomly on the map. My feeling is that a sequel will have to emphasise the human element. Perhaps a puzzle quest MMO? Now that would be interesting.

Bryan M. gave it a9:
Very good game. I dont really like puzzle games but this is just great. the way it puts a RPG and a puzzle game into one is alsome. the only reason it did not get a 9 is some of the quests are really boring. and that it is $12 or 1,200 points so what did I do with the other $4 or 400 points.

The Puzzler gave it a10:
If you like puzzle games at all, you have to pick this up right away. And if you like RPGs, it's even better. It's simply fun to play.

Joey K. gave it a9:
The perfect blend of RPG and stupid puzzle game for maximum addiction. I didn't realize how addicting this game is until yesterday I realized that I was playing against my will. Seriously. I decided to stop playing and ended up playing for like 3 more hours. Really, it's a great game, though. A perfect XBLA title. It's as expensive as they come on XBLA, but it's still the cheapest incarnation of Puzzle Quest there is, and it's worth every penny.

Primus M. gave it a9:
This game is better than a lot of Xbox 360 full titles and deserves to compete with them for your money. I am one of theose people who like Bejeweled a little bit, but I don't see the point. This game gives it a context that is brilliant, making an addictive pointless game into a very fun RPG adventure where your abilities affect the very rules of the puzzle.

Thomas G. gave it a10:
This game is so addictive that I find it impossible to put down. The ingeniousness of the match 3 gameplay coupled with a bucket of good old RPG grind is a sure hit.

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Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

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