Gamasutra's Top Games of the Decade

Gamasutra.com has named their top 12 games of the past decade. An interesting read. If you haven't played these games, I suggest you do (although, there are some I haven't played either).

Overall, looks like a good list to me. I am a bit sad to see Halo make the top list, though. And the fanboy in me wishes KotOR was on there. Oh well, there have been so many good games this decade that you can't possibly fit them all on a top 10 list.

They also posted an honorable mentions list. Glad to see Katamari, BioShock and Puzzle Quest all make the cut. And thrilled to see Vagrant Story on there since it's so often overlooked.

Most of my favorite games of the decade were on the honorable mentions list rather than on the top 10. But this whole thing reminded me how far behind I am with my gaming nowadays... (which happens when all of your consoles start breaking)

UPDATE: Did want to specify, these lists were compiled by gamasutra but the votes came from readers.

Gyromancer Released

Square Enix and PopCap Games have just announced the release of Gyromancer, a Puzzle/RPG hybrid in the same vein as Puzzle Quest.

It looks pretty promising. And the thought of the developers behind Bejeweled teaming with the developers of Final Fantasy to create a game is interesting to say the least. It's no secret I'm a big fan of Puzzle Quest, so I'm looking forward to giving Gyromancer a shot.

Gyromancer is available for 1200 points on Xbox Live Arcade or for $14.99 on Steam. Check out the trailer below:

New Issue at Just-RPG

Just-RPG has posted their latest update, complete with reviews, screenshots, and the latest RPG news. Full details below:

• Puzzle Quest: Galactrix Review
• New DC Universe Online Screenshots
• Crimson Gem Saga Trailer
• Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Screenshots
• New Wizard 101 Grizzleheim Screenshots
• FF Tactics: The War of the Lions Review
• Runes of Magic Screenshots
• And More!!!

http://www.just-rpg.com/.

My gaming rant

Recently finished a review of Puzzle Quest: Galactrix. The game is tons of fun to play. Maybe not quite as good as the original, but definitely worth picking up.

The majority of my free time has been split between Free Realms and Habbo Hotel. I have to admit, Free Realms has really surprised me. I'm addicted to exploring the world, going on quests, and working to level up my character. I took part in the Open Beta and really enjoyed my experience with it, but after they deleted all of the Beta accounts, I was a bit irritated and quit. However, I liked the game enough that I knew I wouldn't be able to stay away for long. I still haven't bought a membership, but I've been thinking about it. Had they not cleared my account after Beta, I'd certainly be a member.

In Habbo, I spend most of my time simply earning achievements and decorating my home. I mostly keep to myself since the game is filled with punk kids. But I do have to admit they come up with some REALLY creative rooms in Habbo. I think I like Habbo because I see glimmers of VMK in it from time to time. The communities are totally different... Habbo has an older audience, less strict rules, and no Disney cutsie-ness. But functionality-wise, there are obvious similarities. Habbo is one of the very few virtual worlds I've been willing to dish out some cash to play.

E3 is in just a few days. I have to admit, over the last year or so I've been out of the loop a little bit with the gaming industry. Just been a busy year, I guess. Before my previously mentioned Puzzle Quest review, I don't even remember the last review I did. Hopefully more coming soon. Seeing all the E3 news makes me miss it a lot. I didn't miss it so much last year, since last year's E3 was a joke... but now that it's 'back', I wish I was there. Too busy with real-life, though. Oh well. Hoping to hear some good gaming announcements.

While I do miss reviewing hundreds of games, attending press only gaming events, and getting early access to tons of games, it's also nice to just take my time and play games for the enjoyment of playing a game and not for the purpose of analyzing it later on. Just gotta learn to balance it, I suppose.

Puzzle Quest

So, I'm not a huge fan of the Nintendo DS... or any handheld gaming for that matter. But, I do love Puzzle Quest. I recently started playing Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, and I have to admit it's pretty awesome.

If you haven't checked it out (or the original Puzzle Quest), I highly suggest you do. It's a perfect blend of RPG-depth (character upgrading, stats, levels, equipment, story), and fast-paced, addictive gameplay. I'll try to get around to writing a review of it one of these days.

Either way, Galactrix recently came out on Xbox Live, so check it out that way if you're not into handhelds. I played the original on DS and enjoyed it, but loved it even more when it came out on Xbox Live. It was much easier to play on a TV screen rather than little DS... and it added in the awesome achievements and versus mode.

Here's some more Puzzle Quest Info:
Puzzle Quest DS Review http://www.just-rpg.com/default.asp?pid=2464
Puzzle Quest Xbox 360 Review http://www.just-rpg.com/default.asp?pid=2622
Puzzle Quest Galactrix Press Release http://www.just-rpg.com/default.asp?pid=3200

10/19/07 Issue at Just-RPG!!!

We've just posted our latest issue at Just-RPG. Check it out below!

http://www.just-rpg.com

• Puzzle Quest Xbox 360 Review
• Legendary: The Box Screens
• Mass Effect Screens & Character Profile
• Just-RPG Looking for Staff
• And More!!!

Puzzle Quest Now on Live!

Puzzle Quest, the innovative puzzle/RPG from D3, is now available for download on the Xbox Live Arcade!

Puzzle Quest was highly praised by reviewers when it originally appeared on the PSP and DS. Now D3 and Microsoft will be opening up the game to a brand new audience of players! Developed by Infinite Interactive and based in the popular Warlords universe, Puzzle Quest combines addictive gem swapping, puzzle gameplay with deep RPG elements of storytelling, character building and exploration.

While I really enjoyed Puzzle Quest, I originally played the DS version, and many of the problems with the game stemmed from the platform itself. For example, using the stylus as a gem selector seems natural enough, but it's also far too easy to accidentally miss and select the wrong piece. Splitting the content among the two screens also caused some problems because it made it difficult to keep track of exactly what was going on. This makes me even more excited about the 360 version!

Xbox Live Happenings

As an Xbox fan, I just wanted to notify gamers of some noteworthy happenings on Xbox Live.

First off, two new demos of interest have been added: Bladestorm and Conan. I haven't played Bladestorm yet, but it's in the same vein as the Dynasty Warriors series... only based in Europe. As for Conan, I've played through the demo and really enjoyed it. Conan is a hack n' slash adventure similar to God of War in many respects.

Both games will be available on the Xbox 360 and PS3, with Conan heading for release later this month and Bladestorm coming next month.

The second noteworthy piece of news is that Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is almost ready for launch on the Xbox Live Arcade! This highly addictive and deep game was originally released on the DS and PSP and will be available for download on Live this Wednesday for 1200 points.

I've already played (and loved) the DS version of Puzzle Quest, but I still plan on getting the Xbox Live version. It's a really fun game, and I prefer console gaming as opposed to handheld gaming anyway, so I look forward to the Xbox release!

More Puzzle Quest!

D3 Publisher of America has announced that Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, will be heading to the PS2, Wii, Mobile Phones and PC! It seems gamers just can't get enough of Puzzle Quest.

All of these versions will be appearing this fall and the mobile version will be released in early 2008. This will open the door to gamers who have yet to experience the exciting hybrid Puzzle/RPG gameplay to finally get a taste. Puzzle Quest was the #1 selling Puzzle Game on the Nintendo DS in 2007, and was earlier confirmed to be headed to the Xbox 360 through the Xbox Live Arcade.

The PC and Mobile rights to the game have been awarded to THQ for publishing.

Personally, I'm the most hyped about the PC version, because I thought the early PC demo that I played was superior to the DS version. Either way, Puzzle Quest is loads of fun, so be sure to pick up one of these versions if you haven't played it yet!



Shameless Plug:
Just-RPG's Puzzle Quest Review

Puzzel Quest to Xbox Live Arcade

D3 Publisher of America has announced that they will be bringing their innovative Puzzle/RPG, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlord's, to Xbox Live Arcade.

Developed by Infinite Interactive, and originally available on the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, Puzzle Quest, blends match-three puzzle gameplay with strategy, character-building elements and a persistent storyline set in the beloved Warlords universe.

The game will be released later this year, but no specific release date or price has been announced. D3 is also bringing RocketBowl and Mad Tracks to Xbox Live Arcade.

Puzzle Quest Now Available!

D3 Publisher of American have announced that their genre-bending title, Puzzle Quest, is shipping to stores across North America!

Puzzle Quest incorporates strategy and role-playing elements into an addictive match-three puzzle board game. The game is suprisingly deep, yet easy to pick up and play for even a short session, making it perfect for both casual and hardcore gamers.

Puzzle Quest is available on the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP for $29.99. You can download a demo of the game here.

Puzzle Quest Demo

There's a new demo for the upcoming Puzzle/RPG Puzzle Quest available over at GameDaily. The demo downlaod is 34 MB in size and has a level 7 limit.

Puzzle Quest is from Infinite Interactive, the creators of the popular Warlords series. It takes place in the Warlords Universe and features multiplayer play, customizeable heros, and over 150 quests. Puzzle Quest is heading to the DS and PSP very shortly from D3 Publishers of America.

I've downloaded and played through the demo and I've got to admit that I'm very impressed. The game is a lot of fun, and suprisingly deep.

Download the demo here.

FREE Puzzle Quest

Game World Network is giving away 10 copies of the Puzzle/RPG hybrid, Puzzle Quest. So head on over to their site and sign up for the giveaway! Good luck!

Puzzle Quest Giveaway on GWN


Puzzle Quest is headed for release on the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP on March 20, 2007. The game will challenge gamers to create and customize the ultimate hero to save the land of Etheria from the evil Lord Bane by progressing through a series of turn-based puzzles.