When you’re conversant in builders Inti Creates, you’ll know they’ve bought an incredible pedigree for action-packed platformers. The Mega Man and Azure Striker Gunvolt sequence come to thoughts, however you actually shouldn’t anticipate something like that from their newest title, PuzzMiX. As a substitute, it takes a totally totally different path, presenting a Suika type puzzle recreation, that includes a personality from the Gunvolt Chronicles sequence, with a low price ticket as well.
Is that this divergence from the norm going to be a recipe for fulfillment, or does PuzzMiX fail to captivate its viewers?
PuzzMiX places Lola, considered one of Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX’s memorable characters, entrance and centre on this Suika puzzle recreation. The battle help robotic, also called ‘The Muse of Hope’, performs the a part of a digital idol right here as she accompanies the motion. Her true kind although, is that of battle pods, which are literally going to be on the coronary heart of the goings on.
For the newcomers to the Suika sub-genre, it’s primarily a hybrid of puzzling ideas the place issues fall after which subsequently merge collectively. On this case, numerous types of Lola battle pods – or spheres – should be dropped right into a confined area. When two of the identical pod varieties contact one another, they’ll merge collectively and evolve right into a extra superior kind. Rinse and repeat to earn extra factors, with the intention being to maintain merging to extend the full rating till you run out of room and the pods attain the vertical restrict line.
There are twelve variations of Lola’s evolutions, with every coming in several sizes and visible designs, so it’s fairly cool to see all of them. That’s when you’re skilful and fortunate sufficient to attain such a feat. Firstly, though you’ll be able to see the subsequent pod to be positioned, it’s chosen randomly and if PuzzMiX decides you’re not getting the particular one it’s worthwhile to merge anytime quickly, it’s simply robust. Because of the huge measurement of some varieties, it’s troublesome to merge sufficient of them to create two at evolution stage ten inside the area given.
Moreover the physics are additionally a bit erratic, seeing the pods rolling or flying within the air throughout merges. As such, your finest laid plans are sometimes futile.
On the flipside, the unpredictable physics can work in your favour and one match may shuffle the pack, setting off an excellent chain response to maintain you going. The straightforward to understand gameplay additionally ensures PuzzMiX is choose up and play materials, lending itself to those that need one thing to dive into for ten minutes or so at a time. With on-line leaderboards in place, it’ll entice you to try to do higher to climb up the rankings – even when solely rising a single spot.
Given how there’s solely a single recreation mode, there’s not loads else to maintain you coming again. Effectively, other than unlocking all the songs to take heed to whilst you’re merging after all. Beginning with a mere two tracks, one other will unlock each time you garner a specific amount of factors, or extra, in a single try. It’s a comparatively achievable quantity, so there’s each likelihood of unlocking a brand new monitor each go, till the entire setlist of twenty is on the market.
Whether or not that’s well worth the effort is determined by your musical style and when you’re conversant in the Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX sequence. Nearly the whole assortment is from these video games, besides one which is model new referred to as ‘Glowing Elevation’. The excessive tempo can’t be faulted, nevertheless they’re repetitive as hell and after a sole loop you’re most likely going to both flip the hold forth or chop your ears off.
On the visible entrance, I like the colourful background and vibrant pods, which actually assist set a joyful tone alongside Lola. Talking of Lola, she’s cheerful and positively kawaii, like all half-decent idol must be. Maybe the one disappointment is that there aren’t any various attires for her to vary issues up a bit.
I believe it’s honest to say that PuzzMiX is a little bit of a combined bag that may solely serve the ardent Luminous Avenger iX fan. The Suika puzzling and merging pleasure is a novelty that quickly wears off, with leaderboards including a minimal quantity of longevity. Sadly, the soundtrack will completely drive you mad, so I can’t even suggest sticking round to benefit from the unlockable tunes.
Do you have to be a loyal fan of Lola and have love for the soundtracks of Luminous Avenger iX, then PuzzMiX is reasonable sufficient to bask in your curiosity. For everybody else, it is determined by whether or not a few hours of enjoyable, at finest, is well worth the worth of entry.
