In the event you’re accustomed to builders Inti Creates, you’ll know they’ve bought an ideal pedigree for action-packed platformers. The Mega Man and Azure Striker Gunvolt collection come to thoughts, however you actually shouldn’t count on something like that from their newest title, PuzzMiX. As a substitute, it takes a very completely different path, presenting a Suika type puzzle sport, that includes a personality from the Gunvolt Chronicles collection, with a low price ticket as well.
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 in every of Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX’s memorable characters, entrance and centre on this Suika puzzle sport. The battle assist robotic, often known 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 primarily 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 varieties contact one another, they’ll merge collectively and evolve right into a extra superior type. Rinse and repeat to earn extra factors, with the intention being to maintain merging to extend the entire 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 in case 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 particular one it is advisable to merge anytime quickly, it’s simply powerful. As a result of large measurement of some types, 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 attempt 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 so much 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 certain quantity of factors, or extra, in a single try. It’s a comparatively achievable quantity, so there’s each probability of unlocking a brand new monitor each go, till the entire setlist of twenty is on the market.
Whether or not that’s definitely worth the effort relies on your musical style and in case you’re accustomed to the Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX collection. Virtually all the assortment is from these video games, besides one which is model new known as ‘Glowing Elevation’. The excessive tempo can’t be faulted, nevertheless 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 several half-decent idol needs to be. Maybe the one disappointment is that there aren’t any various 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.
Do you have to be a loyal fan of Lola and have love for the soundtracks of Luminous Avenger iX, then PuzzMiX is affordable sufficient to bask in your curiosity. For everybody else, it relies on whether or not a few hours of enjoyable, at finest, is definitely worth the value of entry.