In case you’re acquainted with builders Inti Creates, you’ll know they’ve bought an amazing pedigree for action-packed platformers. The Mega Man and Azure Striker Gunvolt sequence come to thoughts, however you actually shouldn’t count on something like that from their newest title, PuzzMiX. As a substitute, it takes a totally totally different path, presenting a Suika model puzzle sport, that includes a personality from the Gunvolt Chronicles sequence, with a low price ticket in addition.
Is that this divergence from the norm going to be a recipe for achievement, or does PuzzMiX fail to captivate its viewers?
PuzzMiX places Lola, one among Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX’s memorable characters, entrance and centre on this Suika puzzle sport. The battle help robotic, also referred to as ‘The Muse of Hope’, performs the a part of a digital idol right here as she accompanies the motion. Her true type 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 basically a hybrid of puzzling ideas the place issues fall after which subsequently merge collectively. On this case, varied types of Lola battle pods – or spheres – should be dropped right into a confined area. When two of the identical pod sorts contact one another, they’ll merge collectively and evolve right into a extra superior type. Rinse and repeat to earn extra factors, with the goal being to maintain merging to extend the whole 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 numerous sizes and visible designs, so it’s fairly cool to see all of them. That’s should you’re skilful and fortunate sufficient to realize such a feat. Firstly, though you possibly can see the following pod to be positioned, it’s chosen randomly and if PuzzMiX decides you’re not getting the precise one you could merge anytime quickly, it’s simply robust. As a result of large dimension of some kinds, it’s tough to merge sufficient of them to create two at evolution stage ten throughout 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 know gameplay additionally ensures PuzzMiX is decide 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 sport mode, there’s not lots else to maintain you coming again. Effectively, other than unlocking the entire songs to hearken to whilst you’re merging in fact. 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 observe each go, till the entire setlist of twenty is offered.
Whether or not that’s definitely worth the effort will depend on your musical style and should you’re acquainted with the Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX sequence. Nearly all the assortment is from these video games, besides one which is model new referred to as ‘Glowing Elevation’. The excessive tempo can’t be faulted, nonetheless they’re repetitive as hell and after a sole loop you’re in all probability going to both flip the pontificate 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 definitely kawaii, like all half-decent idol must be. Maybe the one disappointment is that there aren’t any different attires for her to alter issues up a bit.
I feel it’s honest to say that PuzzMiX is a little bit of a blended bag which 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.
Must you be a loyal fan of Lola and have love for the soundtracks of Luminous Avenger iX, then PuzzMiX is reasonable sufficient to take pleasure in your curiosity. For everybody else, it will depend on whether or not a few hours of enjoyable, at finest, is definitely worth the worth of entry.
