I've played the original Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords on every possible platform, and even today it will keep me occupied for hours at a time. After the relatively disappointing Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, I was sure I would be playing the original until I died, but there is hope on the horizon. Puzzle Quest 2 is coming.

The true sequel to the original game features the same puzzle plus RPG gameplay that many imitators have tried to reproduce with results that generally fell short, with a selection of new classes and the introduction of weapons and armor that have a more pronounced effect of battles. Characters take on the role of a War Mage, Inquisitor, Barbarian or Assassin, on a quest to rid the village of Verloren of the demon Gorgon. Along with the story mode, there's Instant Action, Multiplayer, and a Tournament Mode to keep players occupied long after Gorgon has snuffed it.

"Puzzle Quest is an award winning franchise with numerous accolades including an Interactive Achievement Award for "Best Downloadable Game of the Year" for Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords," said Peter Andrew, vice president of product development, D3P. "Puzzle Quest 2 returns with a captivating, rewarding, and accessible journey for gamers of all levels as the ultimate delivery system for the mental release puzzle gamers seek."

With original developer Infinite Interactive on board, I sense the loss of much free time in my future. Then again, Infinite also did Galactrix, so there's still room for failure.

Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow is set two years after the original Blue Dragon and a year after the previous DS installment, Blue Dragon Plus. Instead of controlling Shu, the player creates their own character in this game, selecting the look and gender of your avatar before setting off on an adventure to rid the world of a newly-awakened enemy and restore balance.

A customizable character means the player can also change shadows to fit the situation, adding an element of strategy to the game that wasn't there before.

I have to admit, the original Blue Dragon is one of my least favorite RPG games of this console generation, and the first DS follow-up didn't impress me much. However, Awakened Shadow is developed by tri-Crescendo so there might still be hope.

Citing the "unprecedented recession", the ¥5,040 (US$56) game will not be released on November, but instead the title will come out on December 23 as part of D3's budget line SIMPLE 2500 Portable!! series.

The PSP game will be given a slight title change, going by THE Demon Hunters ~Exorsister~ and will be priced at ¥2,625 (US$29).

Exorsister [Official Site via はちま起稿]

Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard might not have been the most competent game on the shelves, but the advertising and marketing were certainly top-notch. I'd dare say that many people bought the title on merit of its unique advertising campaign alone. It looks like D3publisher isn't letting up for the new game either, bringing Matt into the real world with this advertisement for a fake motivational seminar for old game heroes.

The question you need to ask yourself is, "Are your thighs mighty?" Well are they?

D3Publisher's side-scrolling follow up to the Matt Hazard franchise, fictionally some two decades old, will be coming to PSN and XBLA this winter, according to an official announcement, looking a bit Shadow Complex-ish. It's a time traveling adventure, with Hazard tasked with saving the 8-bit version of himself as he progress through his previous games, titles like The Adventures of Matt in Hazard Land and Chest of the Pirate Queen.

And Mirror's Edge apparently!

The satire's there. Let's just hope that developer Vicious Cycle can turn Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond's premise into something fun to play.

The week I got my own look at the game – mostly for curiosity's sake, since I read the books as a child and adore the glorified fanfiction that is Wicked – and while I agree with most of what Totilo had to say about the game (let Toto fight!), I object to his take on the trackball movement system.

In Beyond the Yellow Brick Road, players control Dorothy's movement on the world map that is the yellow brick road by stroking the stylus along a virtual trackball that takes up the bottom of the screen. The faster you "roll" the ball, the faster Dorothy moves and the longer it takes her to come to a stop once you stop manipulating the trackball.

Totilo argues that the controls feel a little outdated and that the D-pad might be a better mode of motion. I say the trackball adds a layer of strategy to the game and spares your poor thumbs the jagged edges of the D-pad.

The strategy comes from trying to steer Dorothy around enemies or toward goals like treasure chests or the end-level points. Granted, you probably wouldn't want to avoid enemies unless you were running really low on health items – but all the same, I watched many a games journalist play chicken with the roving enemies on the screen by speeding up the trackball as fast as they could and trying to stop just short of the enemies without triggering the encounter. It was like shuffle board, but with Dorothy.

Beyond that, I appreciate having a DS game that doesn't make you use the buttons at all. The DS's big gimmick is the touch screen, after all, so why not use the hell out of it?

The Wizard of Oz: Beyond The Yellow Brick Road is out September 29, 2009.

P.S. If you touch the Toto icon with the stylus, Dorothy pets Toto.

The October issue of manga Comic Rush, on sale August 26, will see the first manga version of Dream C Club, called Dream Club Destiny.

Illustrator 888 (that's the dude's moniker!) will be happening the drawing duties. Above is a sneak peek of two girls hugging each other. We think they're friends.

月刊コミックラッシュ公式ブログ [Comic Rush]

So far, the game has only been announced for Japan, and it's recently been given a release date: August 27.

As we previously pointed out, Dream C Club features a drinking system called "IIS," which has players control their drinking using the Xbox 360 controller's analog stick and try to get the hostess shitfaced so she'll talk about personal things she normally wouldn't. "IIS" stands for "Interactive Inshu System" with "inshu" being Japanese for "drinking alcohol."

There's a system for talking with the hostess as well. Called "ETS" (Emotional Talk System), it gives players three response choices using the X, A, and B buttons on the Xbox 360 controllers. Girls also sing songs for customers and dance and wear costumes and stuff.

Can you see that? She's pointing and pointing is rude.

パンチラばかりに目が行く『ドリームクラブ』の新ＰＶが公開 [はちま起稿]

Astro Boy: The Video Game for the Nintendo Wii, DS, PSP, and PlayStation 2 is the game adaptation of Imagi Studios' new CG-animated movie, being released internationally this October. Astro Boy journeys throughout Metro City and the mysterious Surface, taking on hordes of robots using his traditional weapons: Finger Lasers, Arm Cannon, Drill Attacks, and my personal favorite - Butt Machine Guns. Developed by High Voltage Software, the game promises intuitive combat and flight, along with a slew of classic Astro Boy unlockables.

I'll have to wait until I see more from the game before getting excited. While my nostalgia gland says yes, my movie tie-in gland says no. Remember back when film animators used to actually draw? Those were the days.

Yet, there's something wrong with D3 Publisher's trailer — a mistake from D3 Publisher. We can't quite put our finger on D3 Publisher's mistake. Can you see the error D3 Publisher made? Sure, D3 Publisher's blunder must be pretty obvious.

Dream C Club's premise, if you aren't familiar, is to recreate the visual wonders of a Japanese hostess bar, letting the player drink frilly alcoholic beverages while chatting up (and loosening up) anime archetypes. They'll apparently be in various states of undress—but things stays PG-rated—and will perform karaoke numbers for you. Sometimes they get a little... bouncy.

Enjoy a batch of new screens from the Xbox 360 game, while you await your new kanji dictionary and clear some space under the mattress for your import copy of Dream C Club.

D3 Publisher has officially announced an April 8th release date for the Xbox Live Arcade version of Puzzle Quest Galactrix, their space-age sequel to the original Puzzle Quest. The Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network versions could wind up being the best versions of the game, simply for the fact that they both support online multiplayer with matchmaking, instead of the PC version's multiplayer via IP address option or the DS version's being near another person with a DS multiplayer and frustrating load times.

Galactrix hits Xbox Live next Wednesday for an as of yet undetermined number of Microsoft points, with the PSN version dropping sometime later this spring.

The game will feature full voice — a first for the series — and 3D graphics. The artist is Meru Kishida.

The game's plot follows a novice 14-year-old frilly-lace-wearing alchemist named Rorona. In the game, it's possible to create approximately a hundred items.

The Japanese franchise commenced in 1997 with PlayStation title Atelier Marie ~The Alchemist of Salburg~. The games, best known for their alchemy mechanics, have largely appeared on the PS platform with a few games showing up on other systems like the Dreamcast, the Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo DS.

続報『ロロナのアトリエ』主人公は14歳の少女！！ [チラシの裏でゲーム鈍報]

At the time, Namco Bandai already had deals to score up to 70% of the company, with plans to go for full ownership. As of this morning, they'd bought 95.02% of D3's company shares at $628 a pop for a total buyout value of $12.55 million, according to Japan's Nikkei newspaper.

D3 Publisher's Publicity Manager, Tamara Sanderson Low, emailed Kotaku the following statement:

Bandai Namco Games, owned by Bandai Namco Holding Inc, plans to acquire 100% of D3, Inc., and its subsidiaries D3Publisher of America and D3Publisher of Europe. D3Publisher operations will remain unchanged at this time. Development of our current and unannounced titles is ongoing and will move forward as planned. D3Publisher is thrilled to join forces with Bandai Namco Games to further strengthen their position in the US and European marketplaces and continue to make quality games that gamers will enjoy.

I guess the era of hostile takeovers is gone, what with the depression and stuff. Does this mean we'll be seeing Puzzle Quest: Naruto next?

Namco Bandai To Acquire Game Developer D3 [Nikkei - subscription required]

Do you have a pure heart?

Well... Do you? Those that click "Yes" will be able to enter the site. The honest ones who click "No" will be prevented from entering. "I'm sorry, but only those with a pure heart are able to enter," the website reads.

As we previously pointed out, the game features a drinking system called "IIS," which has players control their drinking using the Xbox 360 controller's analog stick and try to get the hostess shitfaced so she'll talk about personal things she normally wouldn't. "IIS" stands for "Interactive Inshu System" with "inshu" being Japanese for "drinking alcohol."

There's a system for talking with the hostess as well. Called "ETS" (Emotional Talk System), it gives players three response choices using the X, A, and B buttons on the Xbox 360 controllers.

Dream C Club is expected to be out this summer in Japan. So, if you are planning on buying Dream C Club and planning on accessing this game's website, lie.

Dream C Club [Official Site via Canned Dogs]

The follow up to 2007's smash hit Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, Galactrix takes the blend of role-playing mechanics and puzzle game to a whole new frontier, replacing the fantasy role-playing adventure of the first title with a galaxy-spanning space epic. With the new story and setting comes an entirely new hexagonal game board channeling Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov's Hexic rather than Popcap's Bejeweled.

So can a game that replaces the story, setting, and core gameplay of the first title maintain its addictive charm? Or has Puzzle Quest: Galactrix's galactic journey strayed too far off course?

Loved
Rules Of Engagement: In general, the new hexagonal game board in Galactrix is a refreshing change from the simple dropping down mechanic from the original Puzzle Quest, and the shift from fantasy archetype to spaceship has been handled quite well. New additions to the winning formula, like the ability to recharge your shields and having multiple ships with different configurations at your command, further distance Galactrix from its predecessor. This isn't simply Puzzle Quest in space.

Strategic Choices: As mentioned above, the player can have multiple ships outfitted with different devices and weapons, allowing them to have a ship on hand that's suited for any enemy you may encounter. You might stumble over the first few fights with the Keck, for instance, until you realize that outfitting your ship with a shield disrupter disables their ships' frustrating shield regenration, making combat a breeze. It takes skill and reasoning to navigate this sometimes hostile galaxy.

Buy, Sell, And Trade: Trading is a big part of any good space game, from Origin's classic Privateer to CCP's massively multiplayer EVE Online. Once the Galactrix universe opens up a bit, a player can make a tidy sum by determining which cargo sells best in which port. If you want the best ships and equipment, mining and working the market are essential. It's just a simple little feature, but it adds a great deal to the overall experience.

Hated
Space, The Tedious Frontier: The entire Puzzle Quest: Galactrix galaxy is connected together by devices called leap gates, and in order to get anywhere in the game you're going to have to hack them...over and over again. Hacking them consists of completing a series of color matches within a time limit, and they honestly wouldn't be so bad if not for two factors. First, there is no reward at all for opening leap gates, other than simply opening up a new area. No experience, no cash, nothing. Second, the timer doesn't stop when you are matching colors, so creating long chains of matching colors, an activity that generally helps you during the main game, becomes a huge hindrance, eating your time and causing you to start the whole process over again.

The Luck of the Draw: While a certain amount of luck was present in the original Puzzle Quest, Galactrix's game board refills in the direction you moved your last gem to complete a grouping, which could be any direction whatsoever. While this is an enjoyable mechanic during solo activities like mining, bartering, and crafting, during actual combat it replaces a large chunk of the skill element with sheer luck. You could be the best strategist in the world, and you'd still find yourself randomly losing battles due to a random lucky series of drops for your opponent. It's extremely frustrating to be sitting there with full hull and shields with your opponent on their last legs, only to suddenly find yourself defeated thanks to a ridiculous stream of randomly generated exploding mines.

Stale Tales of Space Adventure: The bland storyline of Puzzle Quest: Galactrix could have been saved by a colorful cast of characters and some witty dialogue, but instead we are presented with a series of outer space stereotypes; cardboard cutouts who seem to serve no more purpose than to unlock the various side-games and occasionally deliver the odd bit of exposition. The original Puzzle Quest was no fantasy epic, but it was certainly more entertaining that this.

Can I Have Your IP Address?: If you're looking for online multiplayer in Galactrix, you're probably better off waiting on the Xbox Live Arcade version, as the PC version only supports two types of multiplayer: LAN and direct connection via IP address. It's essentially the PC equivalent of having to exchange Wii Friend Codes.

Where the original Puzzle Quests was a sublime symphony of balance in which the player could chose to play the game as they liked, Galactrix tends to be a bit more loose with the balance and heavy on guiding you on your path. Battles are often won by luck rather than any amount of skill, creating more moments of frustration than giddy triumph over impossible odds. Whereas the original game allowed you to pick and choose which mini-games you participated in, Galactrix throws countless gate hacking obstacles in your way, offering little reward other than letting you move to the next section of the map. Add to that the lack of distinct character classes, an uninteresting story, and the fact that leveling provides so little in the way of character customization that players have already created their own mods to fix it, and you've got a game that falls well short of the original's greatness.

I played through the original Puzzle Quest on four different platforms, and loved every minute. This will more than likely be my only play through of Galactrix. There's plenty of enjoyment to be had, but frustrating design and an overall lack of choice means this star trek is a one-way trip.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix was developed by Infinite Interactive and published by D3 Publisher, released on PC on February 24th. Retails for $19.99. Also available on Nintendo DS for $29.99. Played single player story to completion, could not participate in multiplayer.

Confused by our reviews? Read our review FAQ.

As we previously pointed out, the game features a drinking system called "IIS," which has players control their drinking using the Xbox 360 controller's analog stick and try to get the hostess shitfaced so she'll talk about personal things she normally wouldn't. "IIS" stands for "Interactive Inshu System" with "inshu" being Japanese for "drinking alcohol."

There's a system for talking with the hostess as well. Called "ETS" (Emotional Talk System), it gives players three response choices using the X, A, and B buttons on the Xbox 360 controllers.

Dream C Club is expected to be out this summer in Japan.

ようこそ、ピュアな心を持つ大人の社交場へ— [IT Media]

It's not so much the visuals in the Galactrix launch trailer that get to me, as they seem to have taken their own concept art and just moved it about on the screen using....I dunno, Powerpoint? Primitive, but it works well enough for a game that straddles the line between casual and hardcore gaming so very well.

No, I think it's the music. The sweeping, space opera music, struggling to maintain its epic feel, while in the background the actually gameplay makes little bleeps and bloops. Of course it won't stop me from picking up a copy, but I can't help but giggle a little. Bloop.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix doesn't simply stick you in one ship and send you off against the universe. The game allows you to collect and customize more than 30 different ships across seven different categories, allowing you to tailor your three-ship fleet to fit any situation.

Check out the descriptions of the various ship classes below, along with some rather lovely screens and concept art to get you in the mood for next week's release.

Warships

Trident Battleship, Vortraag Destroyer, Trident Gunship, Vortraag Cruiser, Trident Warship

These ships have large reserves of Red Energy, useful for outfitting with lasers and missiles. They focus on directly damaging an opponent. It's always good to keep one of these heavy-hitting ships in your fleet for when you find that inevitable boss fight! Take care with some items like Mines and Minelayers though, because they can sometimes do as much harm as good.

Fast Ships

Acheron Ghostship, MRI Blade, Cy-Tech Botship, Cy-Tech Needle

These are useful ships to have if you plan on spending a lot of time running away from encounters or smuggling contraband. Of course PSI Power will also let you escape your enemies so you may choose to concentrate on that instead. Keep in mind that many of the fast ships are also small, so you may be in trouble if you get caught. If you can manage to obtain an Acheron Ghostship though, you should be able to outfit it with quite a bit of equipment.

Science Ships

Lumina Archive, MRI Science Station, Lumina Warship, Lumina Cruiser

These ships have a large amount of Green Energy, representing the massive computer systems they have on board. Green Energy is useful for buffing your own ship, so Science vessels are often good defensive ships to keep around when fighting some big enemy capital ships. A science vessel with auto-repair functionality can last a very long time in combat.

Cargo Ships

Elysian Ferry, Jahrwoxi Homeship, Standard Hauler

If you want to make your fortune mining, then it is worthwhile to reserve one or more slots for these behemoths. Your cargo capacity is determined by adding together the capacity of each ship in your fleet, so it is never a waste to keep Cargo Ships around. Although these ships are not good in combat, they will save you the effort of constantly visiting distant stations to get the best prices for your cargo.

Long Range Ships

Cy-Tech Missile Array, Quesadan Lightship

These Ships have a high reserve of Yellow Energy. This is very useful for manipulating the board and can be a great way of denying a specific enemy the energy he needs to activate his most powerful items. In fact it is often worth keeping a long-range vessel and occasionally customizing it on the fly before a battle with a tricky opponent. Keep an eye out for Thrusters, Waves and Transformers that can be outfitted to these ships to target various gem types in play.

Capital Ships

Lumina Archive, Trident Battleship, Gamma Sphere

These ships have 8 item slots and can be literally filled with all sorts of items. They are often slow, but also have good cargo capacity, so you probably want as many of these in your fleet as possible. However they are very expensive to buy, and even if you can find the plans it is very difficult to build one yourself!

Well-Balanced Ships

MRI Mindship, All Soulless Ships,

These ships are obviously very versatile. Your biggest problem is locating one or finding all the cargo necessary to create one yourself.

The Xbox.com page for Infinite Interactive and D3 Publisher of America's follow-up to 2007's fantasy roleplaying game / puzzle game mash-up has been updated to reflect a February 25th release date, giving fans just one week to decide which version of Puzzle Quest: Galactrix they want to drop their hard-earned money on. Will you buy the $19.99 PC version, readily available online? Perhaps the portable convenience of the Nintendo DS version, with a slightly higher price tag of $29.99? There's no price listed for the Xbox Live Arcade version currently, but I'm betting it'll be right in line with the PC version, debuting at around 1800 Microsoft points.

It's a tough decision. The Xbox Live Arcade version would definitely allow me to play the game in comfort, but if I plan on leaving my home in the next month then I should go with a DS copy. Decisions, decisions.

Puzzle Quest Galactrix [Xbox.com via Shacknews]