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Gameplay
Sound
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Graphics
Value
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Reader Reviews
1 review. Average Rating: 10
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Publisher:  Genre: Arcade
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Mac OS X: 10.2.8 Mac OS Classic: Not Supported
CPU: G3 RAM: 128 MB Hard Disk: 2000 MB Graphics: 16 MB VRAM |
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The
last mode, and also a new one, is the Puzzle mode. This mode presents
the player with a number of pre-constructed gem patterns. The purpose
is to find the correct pattern of gem swaps to clear the board of gems
and progress to the next puzzle. The puzzles range from the obvious to
the obscure. A nice feature of this mode is the fact that you can
choose any one of five puzzles on each level to complete, and you only
need to complete four of the five puzzles to advance to the next set of
puzzles. Completionists will probably want to complete them all,
though. A very challenging addition to the classic game, and definitely
one to keep your brain in shape.
The gameplay of Bejeweled 2
couldn't be simpler. This isn't a deep strategic puzzle game, there is
no hidden strategy to completing levels (other than the puzzle levels).
This game is all about the pure simplicity of matching gems. And that
is where it succeeds. Inexplicably, this simplicity does not create a
sense of boredom as you search for matching gems, but instead instills
a sense of gratification as you see gem after gem disappear and explode
on screen.
The graphics are a big part of this success. The gems
are beautifully rendered, and shimmer and shine as they sit on the
board. The explosions of the Power Gems are big and powerful, and the
Hyper Cube effects are impressive, as the electricity spreads across
the board and destroys all gems in its path. When you complete a level,
instead of just refilling the board with gems, the board and other
screen elements are sent through a warp tunnel effect of sorts, and
arrive at the new level. The backgrounds for each level are stunning
renditions of alien planets. There are actually five high-resolution
versions of these backgrounds included on the CD to use as desktop
backgrounds.
The sounds play just as much of a part in the success of this game as the graphics. From the ching of the disappearing gems to the explosions of the Power Gems to the
electrical effects of the Hyper Cubes, the sounds do as much to
complement the graphics as the graphics do to complement the gameplay.
During particularly large gem combos, the announcer will call out
things such as "Excellent!", "Superb!", and "Outstanding!" The visceral
feeling that you get as you watch the combos happen on-screen and hear
the sounds at the same time is hard to describe, but is an essential
part of what makes Bejeweled 2 such an addicting game. In the
background the entire time is a great ambient-trance soundtrack by
Future Crew composer Skaven. As another extra, the disc includes
redbook audio tracks of the soundtrack that you can listen to in your
stereo, or rip to iTunes and listen to wherever and whenever you want.
I
can honestly say that I do not have a single complaint about Bejeweled
2. I am a true addict, and a member of the cult that is Bejeweled
worshipers. Not only do I have it on my Macintosh, but I've also got
versions on my Windows laptop, as well as my iPaq PDA. This game is that good. If you give it a chance I suspect that you will agree, and will
be spending the wee hours of the morning trying to get past just one
more level, or solve just one more puzzle. As for me, I'm off to, umm,
do some more research about the game. Yeah, that's it.
Pros
• Excellent gameplay; doesn't fix what's not broken
• New modes to keep you playing
• Graphics are excellent
• Sound is just as good as the graphics
Cons
• Doesn't have an option to automatically quit the game after two straight days of play
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