A truly amazing, addicting and underappreciated DS puzzle Game, that needs more people.
==== The Basic Game play ===
Planet Puzzle League is similar to Tetris Attack and its Japanese Counter part, "Panel De Pon".Basically in this game is to make chains of blocks that fall to make combos to score points and throw garbage at your opponent (in some modes).In the same vein as Tetris, once the blocks reach the top of the screen, its Game Over.
So in Planet Puzzle League, the game play is like Tetris Attack.You can chain combos of 3, 4 and 5 of blocks and so on.The more chains you do at once the more points.And also in Garbage mode, (which also happens to be the only mode you ll be playing over WiFi) the only way to do throw garbage at your opponent is to chain blocks of 4 more to do this.
There is also another way to do this, when you chain 3 blocks, they dissipate.This will make some blocks fall, as this happens if you quickly chain the falling blocks you'll be able to throw garbage at your opponent as well.There's even at times this white marker that will occasionally help you as to where to chain blocks.
Also in the game you could use the Stylus.Not only is this recommended, but its definitely the way to play this game.And its great the stylus works so well.
You'll have to chain blocks so quickly, the D-Pad just wont cut it.They also give you this blue Arrow like button to speed up the rise of the blocks.Youll often have to rise the blocks just to get that 4 block chain.I'll be calling this the "Accelerate" Button.
What makes the game so fun and addicting is the fact of how many modes of game play you're offered.Not only is there a ton of single player stuff but, the game play never gets old.They even give you a neat little tutorial in the game, if you don't want to read the manual.This is great for someone like me who jumps right into the game and looks at the manual a bit later.
Its amazing as to how much the single player offers, that its baffling, and I do mean that in a good way.
==== Modes, Modes And More Modes ====
In Planet Puzzle League there are many game modes and different variety's of the "tetris attack puzzle" to keep you entertained.These are all the single player modes:
Time Attack - You're basically against yourself and trying to score as many points as you can in 2 minutes.In this you get 3 modes of play : Lift Attack, Score Attack and Garbage Attack.
Puzzle - Now this is one fun mode of single player play.There's basically like these "mission modes" of where your placed in different situations to solve puzzles.Really good, addicting, time consuming stuff.
Endless - The name speaks for itself.You keep playing until the blocks reach the top of the screen.No time limit.How long can you last?
Clear - In this mode you have to clear all the blocks above this white line marker.You'll have to press the blue "Accelerate" button to raise the blocks just to see that line.Pretty simple concept.There's even different stages in this as you progress in this mode.
Garbage Challenge - In this mode, the garbage is falling on your blocks.Make chains of blocks to clear the Garbage.This is kinda like Endless Mode.
Vs. Com - In this your'e not going against yourself.You're against the computer.There's Clear, Score and Garbage Challenge.This is where you can test your skills against somebody other than yourself.
There's also Daily Play.I'm gonna go and give this the same criticism Gamespot gave this mode.Daily Play is basically 3 modes of Game play that are within 2 minutes.Yet, they could only be played once a day, and the modes are such as the ones you can find above.Does this make any sense to you?
Why would I want to play a game mode, that i can easily play for longer without a time constraint such as this?
Why didn't they offer something I cant normally Play?
==== The Sound And Visuals ====
What I love about this game is that it has this beautiful looking Interface.Before you even play, you can often change the background and even the blocks.This is some beautiful DS Graphics.
The Sound is basically this uppity Techno/Electronica Beats.Its nothing too flashy, but it works.
There's also another feature that's pretty unique.Like in Hotel Dusk, you play the game like a book.That's right, Vertically.Not Horizontally.You could also change this, so its the classic "Top-Down" Look...
But playing the game like a book gives the game more room.When you play it like any other DS Game, everything looks cramped.It works too, but i Prefer the "Book Style".You could even adjust the game play according if youre a Leftie or a Rightie.
==== The WiFi And Wireless Play ====
Yea, the games got WiFi.Although, while fun.There's 2 Problems, one of which I mentioned Earlier.Not enough people play the game.When you go wait for someone to play it could take about a minute to 2 minutes to find someone.
Now, its not the games quality which is at fault here.Its just not too many people play this.Which is quite sad, for such a great game like this to just be passed around to nobody.
Then there's the Second Problem , There's only 4 modes of Play.All of which involve Garbage Mode.While it could be argued its the most fun game mode.I would have liked to see more of the variety offered here like they give in the single player.
There's Novice, Free Play, Friend Battle and Birthday Battle.
Novice is like a beginners online mode where you play against people of low ranking.This isn't ranked, and when you win too many times in this, the mode disappears.
Yet if you lose enough in other modes, this comes back.This is a good place to start.Friend Battle, is well against Friends and is in fact ranked.Free Play is not ranked and you get put in a game with someone of any skill level.
Now Birthday Battle is the most intriguing.You get into games based on what your birthday is.This is something that can be abused in a good way.People often take one Birthday and people change their birthdays to that one day.Now you got your own custom league of players.Birthdays are easily adjustable within the DS.The rankings do count but the overall ranks get reset each week.
There's Wireless Play which is playing with people around you.Basic Enough.But something cool is that you can send someone a Demo of the Game.Neat eh?Also wireless play could be accessed only using one Game Card!
There's one more thing I forgot to mention.In Wifi, there's only a 1v1 Mode.I would assume this is because of the space constraints.Yet on Wireless you can play with 4?
==== Final Thoughts ====
Planet Puzzle League is truly one fun and addicting Puzzle Game for the DS.The Visuals and Sound are Amazing (Especially that Interface).The single player variety is amazing although the Wifi could have used some work.This game is definitely worth your money.
==== My Final Plea ====
Not enough people play this and its a shame.So right here I am voluntarily giving away my Friend Code for the game in this very review.So many People often look for friend codes, so here's mine, right off the bat.Please if you can, Encourage people to buy this and tell how amazing of an experience this game is.
3522 9164 3180
If you add me, give me a private message and I'll be sure to add you too.