Puzznic

I remember renting the original version of this game once for an evening or two back when my Nintendo Entertainment System was brand new, and while the memory is still a tad vague now, I do recall that I actually enjoyed the game. Not surprisingly, then, when the PSX version came out, I figured I might try it out and see if it held up to its predecessor. After all, I've never known ZeniMax to make any truly TERRIBLE games, save for RoboPit 2.Without further ado, then, I got my hands on a copy of Puzznic and played it for a while to reacquaint myself with the basics of the game. Indeed, I must say that this version shares plenty of common qualities with its original, especially the premise: Match two or more tiles of the same color together to make them disappear. This task may sound simple to complete at first, but in later levels, it becomes obviously more challenging and truly tests the player's logic and patience. Clear every tile on the screen, and you'll move on to the next level; leave so much as one tile left, and you'll have to start over until all your credits are gone and you'll have to continue. With this in mind, you'll definitely want to investigate each puzzle in Free Play mode before tackling a complete eight-level set. Unfortunately, you can only unlock certain puzzles after you defeat one of eight wit-testing anime monster opponents in Story Mode. The aforementioned modes of play are the only two modes available, which might turn certain gamers away from this title--especially those who prefer Tetris, Columns, Bust-A-Move, and similarly themed puzzle games. Additionally, with SNES-style (translation: 16-bit) graphics, very few sound effects, and almost no music to speak of, it's safe to say that Puzznic--while not an embarrassment to the puzzle game genre--isn't exactly the BEST puzzler ever. Still, players who don't mind taking their time to solve whatever conundrum is set before them will learn to appreciate this title, especially if they have ever played the 1989 Taito classic upon which this game is based.Personally, I don't mind this game at all, even though I wish certain elements were different, specifically its visual and audio appeal. Overall, however, Puzznic for the PSX does deserve to be tried out. I advise gamers to rent this one before they buy it, should they have the chance.