Bejeweled 3

Bejeweled has been around since 2000 and is one of the top ten video game franchises in gaming history. With their newest installment, Bejeweled 3, once again they’ve hit the mark with both casual gamers and hardcore games alike. Available for the DS, XBL, PsN and PC/Mac, the core of what makes a Bejeweled game fun is still the same and with Bejeweled 3, PopCap has made it better.

“The challenge in creating a new version of Bejeweled is to innovate and keep it fresh and exciting without losing touch with the gameplay that millions of people love. So we’re very careful when we make changes to the core game, which is why it can take so long! – Jason Kapalka, co-founder at PopCap and co-creator of Bejeweled 3.

Bejeweled 3 offers eight different game modes that you can play. This makes the game fresh whereas if you tire of one game mode, you can move on to another one. Feel free to take it easy or to get your heart pumping, it is your choice.

• Classic mode is just that. This is the original game with no time limit and as long as you can make a move, the game will not end. Here you can see how high in levels you can get.
• Quest mode offers forty challenging puzzles to test your skills.
• Lightning is a vamped up version of Bejeweled Blitz. It is fast and you must trigger the time jewels before time runs out.
• Play in Poker mode for a twist on playing poker and Bejeweled. Playing this mode will cause you to look at the game board differently.
• If you just want to relax, choose Zen mode. You can pick from several different types of sounds to relax your mind. From the sounds of a beach to rain coming down, Zen is a great mode if you just want to play the game without any worry or challenges.
• In Butterflies, you cannot allow the butterflies to reach the top of the game board where the spider lurks. If so, it is game over.
• Diamond Mind will have you digging for treasures.
• In Ice Storm, you must fight against the cold and snow before it freezes the entire board over.

The controls are easy to get used to. The 360/Ps3 utilizes the standard controller while the DS version allows you to choose to play with the stylus or the D-Pad. The sound and visuals for the game are understandably better on the home consoles versions as opposed to the DS version. At times, I could have sworn I heard the sound crack on the DS version. It seems when played at MAX volume, you don’t get the same quality sound as you would from playing it on your TV.

With a game that sells at a rate of 4.3 seconds, it is no surprise that Bejeweled 3 is as entertaining as its predecessors. Personally, I found the XBLA version a bit more fun than the DS version but that is just a matter of system preference. For better visuals and sound, then the console version is for you. If you like mobility, then the DS version. If you’re into both, then I say pick both versions up. Bejeweled 3 makes for a great stocking-stuffer for the casual or hardcore gamer in your life. If you like puzzle games similar to Tetris and Columns, then you will enjoy Bejeweled 3.