My first encounter with Bejeweled came on a tablet that I purchased for my mother. I had heard of the game and figured my mother would like it on her new tablet. A month later not only was she addicted... I was addicted!! I figured I would also get the desktop version, rather than a free App rendition and boy was I shocked when I saw the trailer for Bejeweled 3. This game doesn't even compare with those small app versions; It is on a whole other level. While I can't comment on how this game compares to the original Bejeweled and Bejeweled 2.. No questions about it, this game is worth the asking price of $20 and then some.
Bejeweled 3 is a simple puzzle game that is incredibly addictive. There is no online activation needed, no need to leave the CD-ROM in the drive, nor is an internet connection required. Just pop the CD-Rom in the computer, install and you are set to go. To start things off the game supports multiple profiles so the entire family can create their own individual identity for the High Score list (which is shared amongst all profiles). If you are unfamiliar with how Bejeweled plays, essentially you get a grid that is full of various color gems. The idea is to line up 3 or more of the *Same Color* in a row to remove those gems (Vertical / Horizontal only). You can product specialty gems by lining up 4+ gems or making perpendicular patterns.
The game starts you off with 4 modes with 4 additional modes becoming unlocked as you play the original modes:
CLASSIC: Classic Bejeweled, where you accumulate points to progress to the next level. No time limit but be smart about your moves as you once you run out of make-able moves... Game over.
ZEN: Similar to Classic mode but you can't lose this game. It will go on forever until you quit out to the menu, but unlike CLASSIC, the ZEN mode offers various relaxation options
LIGHTNING: This is Classic mode on steroids. You start a small amount of time and must make moves as fast as possible to boost your score. Every set # of moves you make will drop a time bonus gem. Match with that time bonus gem to get bonus time. Once time runs out it is game over...
QUEST: This mode combines the 7 gameplay modes into one, giving you 40 different games with restrictions to test your skills. For each artifact, 4 completed game modes will unlock the artifact. **Example: Get 150 gems in only 20 moves.
*POKER*: This mode is unlocked by making it to level 5 in CLASSIC. You get points for making poker combinations of gems. You get 5 moves per hand, so get 2 Green 2 Blue 1 white that would be "two pair". Simple but incredibly addictive.
*BUTTERFLIES*: Unlocked by making it to level 5 in ZEN. The game plays similar to Classic but now some gems will be butterflies. These gems will advance UP one block each move you make. If they reach the top it is game over.
*ICE STORM*: Unlocked by achieving 100,000 points in LIGHTNING. This mode is similar to Lightning but there is no time limit; Instead ice builds up on columns of gems. Make matches to eliminate the ice. If a row freezes up it is game over.
*DIAMOND MINE*: Unlocked by uncovering 1 artifact in QUEST mode. Basically this is a timed game where matches you make are worth nothing. Instead matches made while touching the dirt will destroy the dirt/rocks. There could be gold , diamonds or treasures buried within. Each time you clear the dirt above the marker line you get +30 seconds added onto your time.
With 8 modes to play there is something here for everyone. My mother loves Poker, but my personal favorite is a tossup between Butterflies and Diamond Mine. The interface used for the game is incredibly simple, with a easy to understand layout and big buttons with easy to read text on them. The effects/graphics for this game are excellent, even at default settings and resolution... with all gem types easy to differentiate from one another. Explosions are awesome, as are the lightning effects from the specialty gems.
The only real gripes I have with the game are minor. Graphically the game is beautiful, but I am not a fan of the "art style" used for the backgrounds. It feels like something taken out of a child's fairytale book, and then over-saturated in pink. Of course you aren't paying attention to the background while playing, but including some alternative backgrounds would of been nice is all. The other gripe is the lack of an online element. I am glad this game(with a retail purchase) doesn't require you have internet, but a nice optional feature would of been an online leader board. Of course both of these really are just my personal opinion, and even without the online this game is incredible.
OVERALL This game is easily 5 stars and worth the asking price. The gameplay is simple but addictive, with 8 carefully thought out modes that all feel unique. You are really getting 8 games here not one. To top it off, the game has "Badges" similar to achievements/trophies and you can level up! That's right, every gameplay mode(except ZEN) takes the points you earned that game and treats it like experience. Leveling up is just cosmetic, but it is still fun! Once you start playing you will find it very hard to stop. This game is well worth the $20 asking price and is a perfect way to just relax and have fun with a simple puzzle game, that feels like a new experience every time I play it.
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Top reviews from other countries
David George Middleton
As a replacement for a previous version it more than ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 6, 2017Jacqueline Mallinson
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 5, 2017
