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Review: Bejeweled Twist

Nov. 5 7:27 PM by Terry Terrones

Chances are you've probably heard of a little game called Bejeweled. Even the most unenlightened of gamers has seen it somewhere because its available on just about every electronic device ever made. Cell phones, PC's, iPods, PDA's, consoles - you name the device and you can find a version of Bejeweled for it. It's the video game equivalent of CSI.

Not that anyone's complaining. With 350 million copies downloaded and more than 25 million units sold, its one of the most popular casual titles of all time. Recently PopCap Games, the brains behind the Bejeweled franchise, released its latest model. It may have taken four years to get from Bejeweled 2 to the brand new Bejeweled Twist, but at least it was worth the wait. A souped up version of a long time favorite is exactly what fans of the series have been waiting for.

For the uninitiated, Bejeweled is a single player puzzle game. The objective is to twist multi-colored gems, making a set of three or more of the same type in a line. This creates a chain and makes the jewels disappear, then they are subsequently replaced. The longer the chain, the more points you earn. The gameplay is remarkably simple (you can play the game with one finger) but like most great games it simplicity belies its challenge, making it wildly addictive.

Bejeweled Twist honors the simple-to-learn-difficult-to-master feel of its predecessors, but its new features make it even better than the original. Gone is the swap one gem at a time scheme, in its place is a much smoother method of gameplay. In Twist gamers move a cursor that rotates a 2x2 block of gems clockwise. Besides being able to manipulate gems more easily, this allows gamers a chance to move gems all over the board, something you couldn't do before.

The game presentation is first rate, with hypnotic music and fantastic visuals. There are plenty of new gem types, obstacles and multipliers to keep you on your toes, and if bragging is your thing - and lets face it, if you're a gamer, it probably is - there are stats, rankings and instant replays to check out. But the best part of Twist are the four different modes - Classic (main game, increasingly tougher levels), Zen (relaxed, untimed), Blitz (score as much as you can in five minutes) and Challenge (tough, goal-oriented puzzles). They offer up enough different ways to play the game that you'll always have something to do.

Twist does have one nagging problem, you have to start over when you die. This is soooo 1980's arcade and completely annoying. If gamers pay their $20 for the game, starting from scratch should be a choice, not a requirement. Luckily Bejeweled Twist is so addictive, you'll quickly start a new game and forget all about it.

Pros: Simple control scheme, fun puzzles and challenges, great graphics, plenty of extras

Cons: Starting over from level 1 after you lose is lame

Sound: 4.25
Controls: 4.5
Graphics: 4.25
Fun Factor: 4.5
Editor's Choice

The Info: Platform: PC (downloadable now from popcap.com, available on Steam and at retail stores on November 18), Publisher: PopCap Games, Developer: PopCap Games, ESRB: E, Players: One, Price: $19.99