Xbox 360
Bejeweled 2 is a puzzle-based game that is huge on the web, extremely addicting and is now available to download from the PS3 Network. The main basis of the game is swapping gems around on a predetermined board looking to chain three or more of the same gem together; horizontally and/or vertically. A move is only allowed if it will combine three or more gems of the same type and must be adjacent to the currently selected gem. When a combination is created the combined gems disappear from the board and all the above gems in that column shift down. The free space at the top is then filled with new, random gems. It’s an easy system that will easily eat up most of your day.
There are unique versions of commons gems that are created when certain conditions are met: Power gems and Hyper cubes. A power gem is formed when four gems are matched in a line and explode allocating a huge amount of points. The hyper cube is created when five gems are combined in a line and when swapped with an adjacent gem, all gems of that type disappear from the board. These variants are a really nice touch and when activated, are extremely rewarding to see and hear.
Bejeweled 2 consists of four different modes of play: classic, action, puzzle and endless. Classic mode allocates points for successful combinations and these are added to a level up bar at the bottom of the screen. When filled up, the player is granted access to the next level but if no moves are present the player loses. Action mode consists of the level up bar starting halfway full and slowly depleting, giving the player a limited amount of time to complete the level. Here there’s always a move to be made and the player loses if the level up bar becomes empty. Puzzle mode is scenario based where two unique gems (Bombs and Rocks) come into play. Each level is cleared by removing all gems by a certain combination of moves. Failure to do so ends up with the player losing. Endless mode is basically no score or time and is never-ending therefore allowing new players to easily acquaint themselves with the basics of Bejeweled 2.
There are a total of four secret modes which are unlocked when you beat a certain level in the above modes. This nice selection of game types should keep the player (beginner or veteran) entertained for a good amount of time.
The control scheme is basic: the left pad allows the player to move between gems and holding the X button over a gem and choosing a direction will allow a swap. It’s not as easy flowing and quick as the original PC version especially on timed mode where it feels like it takes forever to get across the board but it does works. Overall the port runs very smoothly and the sound effects are crisp but the music feels a tad too stale at times but you probably wouldn’t notice.
If you’ve played before and wish to play Bejeweled 2 on your big screen for hours on end then this is a deserving download but if you’re unsure of the concept then you might as well go online and see if you get a fix from the free version first.