While the three in the title might lead some to believe this is the third game in the Bejeweled series, it is actually the fifth and the only direct sequel to Bejeweled 2.This fantasy themed variation on the same is a far cry from the original Bejeweled released ten years ago with only two modes of play.  Bejeweled 3 provides players with 8 modes of play and 8 types of gems to swap.

Bejeweled 3 brings back 4 traditional modes of play, as seen in Bejeweled 2, and adds 4 new modes. Returning on the platform are Classic mode, Zen mode, Lightning mode, and Quest mode. Classic mode is the basic Bejeweled game at its core. Players continuously swap gems until there are no more moves to make.  Zen mode is an endless mode designed to help relax the player with soothing ambient sounds and breath modulation while they swap gems continuously. Lightning mode is the classic time trial mode where players attempt to get the highest score possible within a 60 second window. Quest mode provides 40 unique puzzles each containing mini games with tailored objectives different from the standard game.

In addition to these staple modes, Bejeweled 3 brings these unlockable modes; Diamond Mine, Poker, Ice Storm, and Butterflies. Diamond Mine allows players to “dig” for gold and treasure by swapping gems next to the dirt to expose the collectables. In Poker players must create the best hand by swapping gems on the main game board to have that gem appear in their hand of cards. Using the special gems in a swap will increase the total score for that hand. Ice Storm brings rising columns of ice that must be pushed back before they reach the top of the screen. Creating matches above or below the ice will decrease the column’s height. Making a vertical match within an ice column will shatter it completely. In Butterflies, players must release the butterflies by using them in a chain before they reach the top where a spider is waiting.

While game play at the core remains the same; swap one gem with an adjacent gem to create vertical or horizontal chains containing, at minimum, 3 matching gems; Bejeweled 3’s game play gets a boost from the various types of gems the player can match. Apart from the normal gem, Bejeweled 3 also has Flames gems, Star Gems, Hypercubes, Supernova Gems, Time Gems, Bomb Gems, and Butterfly Gems. Flame, Star, Hypercube and Supernova Gems are all created under specific circumstances within the game play and throughout all the modes. Time Gems only appear in Lightning Mode and add time to the clock when used in a chain. Bomb Gems are only found in the Time Bomb mini game within Quest mode. These must be exploded before their timer reaches zero. Butterfly Gems are only found in Butterfly mode and the Butterflies mini game in Quest mode.

Overall, Bejeweled 3 is a fresh take on a familiar favorite. The unlockable, or secret modes, bring new challenging twists to the gem swapping classic. It doesn’t take long to open them up, but you might find yourself swapping gems for hours trying to create that elusive flush hand in Poker or valiantly struggling against the rising tides of ice in Ice Storm. The dynamic backgrounds are beautiful to look at and lend a sense of story to a simplistic game. Eight modes of play provide hours of addictive fun. And, achievement hounds will be happy to know that in addition to the traditional 12 Xbox achievements for XBLA games, players can strive for badges of increasing difficulty in bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

Developer:  Ninja Bee

Publisher:  Microsoft Game Studios

Platform:  Xbox Live Arcade

Release Date:  Wednesday October 26, 2011

Genre:  City Building

Players:  Single Player, Local Multiplayer

Rating: ESRB E for Everyone

Price:  320 Microsoft Points

Distribution:  Xbox Live Marketplace

Little blue aliens are landing and invading your world in Ninja Bee’s 2010 followup to A Kingdom of Keflings, A World of Keflings.  These friendly, tiny,  and so humorous bundles of joy are looking for you to help build them an alien friendly kingdom.  Do you have what it takes to build a kingdom for aliens?  Let’s fire up that Xbox, hit play on A World of Keflings, and find out in our review of A World of Keflings: It Came From Outer Space DLC.

Developed by: Iridium Studios

Platforms: PC and Xbox LIVE indie games

Players: 1

Puzzle Quest proved that adding RPG elements to a tried and true game design like a match three puzzle can turn a game into absolute crack.  But what happens when you add RPG elements to a rhythm game?

Developed by: Bitfield GmbH

Platforms: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later

Players: 1

Rated 4+ by Apple Application Ratings. ( contains no objectionable material )

Blockado Deep Sea is the fourth and most difficult installment of the Blockado series.  With the change of difficulty also comes a change of scenery.  As the name would imply your puzzle solving skills are put to the test under the sea.  The sea overlay and subtle ocean sounds provide a nice relaxing atmosphere to solve the puzzles in.   Deep Sea builds on the Blockado puzzle solving series where you must get a treasure chest to the exit.  You are challenged to do this in a certain amount of moves, with fewer moves resulting in a higher star rating.  The problem is you have other blocks in your way and, with the exception of one, they can only be moved lengthwise.

One of Many Deep Sea Puzzles

The game may sound easy on the surface, but a number of interesting blocks make the puzzles much more difficult then moving a few blocks out of your way.  There are blocks that attract each other, ones that repel each other, spring loaded blocks, ice blocks that slide until they hit something, blocks that move together, and even a very tricky snake block that can move in multiple directions but carries its tail with it.  Other blocks will stand in your way before you leave the Deep Sea of Blockado.  When all these blocks are combined they make for a great but difficult puzzle experience.

The Snake Block Provides this Entire Puzzle

Don’t be discouraged though because the interface makes the game very enjoyable even if you are having trouble.  In every puzzle you are given the option of stepping back a move with the quick touch of a finger.  So if you accidentally made a move or even realized six moves too late you made a mistake you can simply step back to the point you want to.  When you step back it also takes those moves off your total move count so they don’t affect your star rating.  Also to help you is a puzzle solver that will walk you through the steps to complete the puzzle.  This is available in most puzzles except for those that are considered the most challenging puzzles.

On top of challenging puzzles the game provides a main adventure mode where you are after treasures from different parts of the sea.  When you complete all the puzzles and unlock the treasure chest by completing its difficult puzzle you are awarded with some interesting information on the region you were in.  It’s not much, but I enjoyed the reward of reading about sunken treasures around the globe.

Puzzle with Spring Blocks

However, this game is mainly about solving puzzles and it does a fantastic job if you are in the market for a brain teaser to while away your time.  The included puzzles number to 60 and if that isn’t enough for you then you can use the built in scanner to scan in more from Blockado’s Website.  If that STILL isn’t enough for you they have provided a puzzle editor ( Windows PC only ) that will allow you to create your own puzzles and then convert them to scan code.  You can then scan them to play or even share them with your friends.

If you enjoy challenging puzzles then this game is for you.  It has a simple to use interface with a simple concept made entertaining by a multitude of blocks that add to the challenge.  The price couldn’t be better for the sheer amount of content and the ability to scan in free extras or create your own.  I would recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining way to pass the time or if you just love puzzles.  If you think the difficulty may be too steep you can always try their easier ones or download the free version to start.

Zen Studios has had a steady stream of new tables for their really great pinball simulator Pinball FX2.  As all my other table reviews has shown, even someone who isn’t a huge fan of pinball and have a blast with these tables.  Will Sorcerer’s Apprentice keep this trend rolling?  Here’s the rundown of the table’s story.  Jake and Amanda come face to face with an Evil Sorcerer in his citadel.  The kids have no choice other than to fight the Sorcerer and his summoned creatures by using their pinball prowess and a specter named Whisper.  A fairly simple premise but once you get down to the pinball, things get really interesting.

The table has a ton of rail chutes and ramps that are integral to the different table missions.  With spinning towers and magical trees, your ball is sent literally all around the table and with practice you’ll rack up millions of points and complete each mission.  Collecting the obsidian throughout will eventually lead you to the final showdown with the Sorcerer.  Also, be sure to note the 4 flippers on the table.  The flipper at the very top left of the table can be obscured in some views, but once you know it’s there, it really becomes one of the most important aspects of the table to complete the challenges and different locations.

Speaking of challenges, there are tons included in the table.  Creepy Cellar, Freaky Forest, Tower Crawler, Stairway Hurry Up, Whisper Hideout and Gates to the Void all bring a huge variety of things to do on this table.  One challenge has you playing a game within the game almost by using Jake’s slingshot to shoot spiders on a miniature table.  As with the other tables, the challenges ramp up the replay value very well.

All in all Zen Studios has become the “go to” studio if you want a great tie-in pinball table, but this latest release shows that a tie-in IP is not necessary for them to make a great pinball table.  3 new achievements to go after, tons of different challenges, and the overall low cost (240 MSP or $3) really should entice even the non-pinball fans out there.  It may take a bit of practice to get good at any of the tables, but once you do you will get hooked.

Developed by: Robot Entertainment

Published by: Microsoft Studios

Platforms: PC and Xbox LIVE Arcade

Players: 1

Rated T for Teen by the ESRB

Darwinism be damned, those crafty orcs have evolved adaptations that make them march straight into battle, directly through deadly traps and into incoming crossbow fire.  It’s pure science, orcs must die.  Orcs Must Die! isn’t so much a tower defense game, as it is a strategic third-person action game wherein you must defend your base with the traps and weapons at your disposal.  Sure you plan out where to place the spike traps, arrow walls, and such to maim as many passing orcs as possible, but you actually get to be in the fray as well.