NESpresso: Game Reviews \ PC \ Bejeweled 2 Deluxe

Game Stats
System: PC (Windows 98/Me/2000/XP)
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1
Memory used: Approx. 65 MB's (w/ installer)
Playtime: 00:00 / 00:02
ESRB Rating: Everybody (6+)

Installation Notice: Online access is REQUIRED for registration

Screenshots

One of the web's most addictive games is back for more with more twists & turns than its predecessor. In Bejeweled 2, you try to survive as long as you can by lining up 3 or more jewels in a row.

Pop Cap games released the original Bejeweled (AKA Diamond Mind on some sites) a few years ago & became an instant success online. The game became so addictive that it even got into a Penny-Arcade strip (which is an accomplishment within itself).

The graphics on the deluxe version is beautifully rendered with 3D gems & rich backgrounds. It may seem simple for a game, everything in the game is functional so you won't get confused.

The deluxe version includes what's normally called "mood music" which is pleasant to listen to while you play, however it can be a litle repetitive if you get into a marathon session. Thankfully, you can adjust the music volume inside the game so you can play your own music. The sound effects are simple with it's clear music & explosions, but it can be annoying on marathon sessions as well. Again, you can adjust the volume in-game as well.

The controls of the game are so simple that you don't even need the keyboard to play, only the mouse is required. All you do is click on the gems you want to move OR you can do a click-n-drag as well for faster gameplay. As for gameplay, there are 4 different game modes that are available at the start: Classic, Action, Puzzle & Endless. Classic mode is where you play as long as there's at least one possible move available in the playfield. Action mode is similar to classic, but it's timed as your progress bar will drain over time. The game ends as soon as the bar bottoms out. Puzzle mode is new to the Bejeweled series as you try to clear all the gems on the board. Endless mode is another Bejeweled 2 debut as you can play this mode practically forever as the game will always leave one move in the playfield. Endless mode is for those who just like a more relaxing game. The game plays just like Bejeweled with two new specialty gems: Power Gems & Hypercubes. Power Gems are created by clearing 4 gems (or by clearing 5 gems in an L or a T-pattern). These Power Gems are like a miniaturized explosive, which will destroy all the gems in 1-gem radius upon clearing it. If any other power gems (or hypercubes) are in the blast radius, they'll explode as well. Creating a cascading explosion can be pretty cool if you can set it up. Hypercubes are created by clearing 5 gems. Unlike Power Gems, hypercubes are practically insurance pieces as a classic game cannot end while there's a hypercube is on the playfield. Hypercubes will destroy ALL the gems that you swapped with the hypercube wether they're connected or not. Hypercubes are so powerful, it's best not to use them unless it's absolutely necessary.

Like the original Bejeweled, you're having difficulty finding a move (or in Puzzle mode, the CORRECT move) you can click on the "Hint" button, but it'll cost you some points & a little bit of your progress bar (except for Puzzle Mode)... However, you can just wait & the game will eventually point out a possible move for you. Unless you're playing action mode (which stalling can cost you more than asking), it's probably best to wait it out. Bejeweled 2 also has the standard pause & save features that you expect to see with a Pop Cap Game.

Bejeweled 2 is highly addictive because it's a simple puzzle game that's added a few new gems to the mix. There's also 4 game modes that are available at the start to keep players interested, but there's also special game modes that are locked up as well like Cognito & Twilight with a few other modes that only the best & most dedicated Bejeweled players will unlock to keep everybody playing for hours on end. It's perfect for those who have a few minutes or even a couple of hours as you can perform pick-up games. However, puzzle games may not suit everybody. I would strongly suggest trying the web version (with Classic & Action modes only) to see if you like the game before spending the $20 to register the deluxe version.

I should warn users that you must have interenet access to register this game. You can only play the game for 60 minutes if you leave it unregistered. If the computer you want to install it on isn't connected, you'll have to talk to Pop Cap about a workaround here.