Review: Puzzle Cosmos - Free Flowing Fast Paced Tetris?
by Staff Writer
August 25, 2010
Overview
The iPhone has been a platform that new and old puzzle games have flourished on. Puzzle Cosmos is a new style of puzzle that is similar to Tetris, but gets rid of the strict piece structures so that each block falls anywhere it can. Your goal is to make a match of four colors touching each other, and then make the match as big as possible, and then make a string of consecutive matches.
Features
The game is all about chains of matches, and continuing to drop in pieces so they fall into making a match when the previous one disappears. There are four game modes, and you have to score a certain score plateau in each mode to unlock the following one. In addition to the standard mode there is a time attack, a challenge mode, and a whole new style in flash rain.
The Good
This is a brand new puzzle mechanic that is engaging and fun for any puzzle fan. The game mechanic is simple, but making chains and big combos definitely isn't. With your score so dependent on chains you will be going quickly, and thinking less, to try to make chains in time.
It's great when the board is set up so chains can happen when new pieces fall down, and every piece you add on helps the size of your match and chain. The board lights up when there are matches, and it's especially great when you see a majority of the screen lit up. Just a little bit into the game new colors are introduced, and the entire board raises up to the death line faster.
You need to earn a greater percentage of your points at the beginning because soon you'll have little room to maneuver, and the lower levels aren't set up well for matches. Luckily there is a special power up block that drops occasionally which removes all blocks of that color when matched. Once you have a match you have a few seconds to add on to it to build it up, and each new block added to the match gives you a few more seconds.
The game controls smoothly with the on screen buttons to rotate the square of blocks you’re given, and then drop them into the board. The puzzle is quite different than what you usually see, as the blocks meld together as you drop new ones in rather than staying in the shape you’re given. This is definitely an action puzzle game that is fun each and every time you play it, and anyone can enjoy it.
The game looks great with the screen constantly flashing, and such a new age theme. As you build your chain there is more going on with it flowing effortlessly. There is a nice soundtrack as well that fits the more fast paced puzzle theme very well.
The Bad
The main problem I could find was that the score plateaus to unlock each additional mode are quite tough to achieve. In standard mode for example only the top 50 scores have actually topped the points required to unlock time attack mode. This will leave many players with only one game mode rather than the advertised four.
The Verdict
Puzzle Cosmos is a great puzzle game without a doubt. It's filled with action by giving you a simple mechanic, but challenging in game objectives. The game has a great style, and the only problem is that many players may not get to enjoy the entire game.
For $3.99 Puzzle Cosmos is worth it, and even higher if you like action puzzle type games.
