Initial release date: April 5, 2024
Genres: Puzzle, Action game, Casual game
Developer:Â Inti Creates
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Publisher:Â Inti Creates
If you’re familiar with the developers Inti Creates, you’ll know they have a strong track record with action-packed platformers. The Mega Man and Azure Striker Gunvolt series come to mind, but you shouldn’t expect anything similar from their most recent release, PuzzMiX. Instead, it takes an entirely different approach, delivering a Suika-style puzzle game starring a character from the Gunvolt Chronicles series for an affordable price.
Is this departure from the norm a prescription for success, or will PuzzMiX fail to attract its audience?
PuzzMiX is a new Suika puzzler.
PuzzMiX features Lola, one of Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX’s iconic characters, at the center of this Suika puzzle game. As she accompanies the action, the battle support robot, also known as ‘The Muse of Hope’, serves as a virtual idol. Her true shape, however, is one of battle pods, which will be at the center of the action.
For those unfamiliar with the Suika sub-genre, it is simply a combination of confusing concepts in which things fall and then merge together. In this situation, different types of Lola fighting pods – or spheres – must be dropped into a tight space. When two identical pod types come into contact, they merge and evolve into a more evolved form. Rinse and repeat to collect more points, with the goal of continuing to merge to boost your overall score until you run out of space and the pods reach the vertical limit line.
There are twelve various varieties of Lola’s evolutions, each with its own size and visual design, so seeing them all is rather interesting. That is if you are skilled and fortunate enough to accomplish such a feat. To begin, while you can see where the next pod will be placed, it is chosen at random, and if PuzzMiX decides you won’t be able to merge the precise one you require anytime soon, it’s plain tough. Due to the vast size of some forms, it is difficult to merge enough of them to make two at evolution stage 10 inside the available area.
Furthermore, the mechanics are unpredictable, with pods rolling or flying into the air during merges. As a result, even the best-laid strategies are frequently ineffective.
Simple to pick up
On the other hand, unforeseen physics might work in your favor; one match could shuffle the pack, triggering a wonderful chain reaction to keep you going. PuzzMiX’s simple gameplay guarantees that it is quick to pick up and play, making it ideal for individuals looking for something to do for ten minutes at a time. With online leaderboards in place, you’ll be motivated to improve your performance in order to move up the ranks, even if it’s only by one position.
Given that there is only one game mode, there isn’t much else to keep you coming back. Aside from unlocking all of the music to listen to while merging, of course. Starting with just two songs, another will unlock every time you get a particular number of points, or more, in a single attempt. It’s a manageable quantity, so there’s a good probability of unlocking a new track each time until the entire setlist of twenty is available.
Whether that’s worth the effort depends on your musical preferences and familiarity with the Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX series. Almost the whole collection is made up of these games, with the exception of one entirely new game called ‘Sparkling Elevation’. The high tempo cannot be criticized, however they are extremely monotonous, and after a single loop, you’ll most likely turn the sound off or cut your ears off.
On the visual side, I appreciate the brilliant background and colorful pods, which help set a cheerful tone accompanying Lola. Speaking of Lola, she’s happy and certainly cute, as any decent idol should be. Perhaps the only letdown is that there are no alternate outfits for her to switch things up a bit.
Many tracks
I believe PuzzMiX is a bit of a mixed bag that may only appeal to die-hard Luminous Avenger iX fans. Suika’s puzzle-solving and merging enthusiasm wears off quickly, and leaderboards provide only a small amount of durability. Unfortunately, the soundtrack will drive you insane, so I can’t even recommend sticking around to hear the unlockable songs.
If you are a Lola fan and enjoy the soundtracks of Luminous Avenger iX, PuzzMiX is an inexpensive way to indulge in your interests. For everyone else, the question is whether a few of hours of enjoyment is worth the registration fee.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 80%
Story – 60%
Aesthetics – 75%
Content – 78%
Accessibility – 85%
Value – 82%
Overall Rating – 76%
Good
Summary: PuzzMiX delivers a solid puzzle experience with a range of challenging levels that are both engaging and satisfying. While the game is light on story, it excels in accessibility and ease of play, making it suitable for puzzle enthusiasts of all skill levels. The clean visuals and variety of puzzles keep the game enjoyable, though it may become repetitive over time. Overall, PuzzMiX offers good value for those seeking a straightforward, enjoyable puzzle game.