by Trent Lorcher

Created on: July 07, 2008   Last Updated: April 17, 2009

After killing off enormous garden pests and believing she has completed her work for the day, our scantily clad puzzle hero, while taking lunch to her father, discovers her brother has been kidnapped by an evil sorcerer and his army of darkness. In order to get him back, she must challenge and defeat members of the sorcerer's legion in a puzzle battle. In between battles, Ingrid (that's what we'll call our little puzzle vixen) frequents shops to purchase better weapons, sturdier armor, and sexier clothes.

GENRE

I would applaud the innovative combining of two video game genres (puzzle and role playing) if the actual game play were more fun. The puzzles lack complexity and the shopping selection makes thrift stores attractive in comparison. The salon aspect is intriguing. Apparently a true Puzzle Hero is tough and pretty.

ADDICTIVENESS (2/5)

The ultimate litmus test for any video game is its ability to waste every waking moment through either actual game play or through mind distraction. After playing the game for an hour, I showed no signs of having to play it again. However, I found myself fantasizing about half-naked warriors parading through my garden.

SOCIAL EFFECTS (1/5)

Nerds may react positively to super hot chicks solving puzzles in an effort to ward off monsters. They may get too caught up in the game and start bringing their Parcheesi boards, Settlers of Catan, and Dungeons and Dragons equipment to night clubs in hopes of scoring outside of their video game realm.

GRAPHICS (2/5)

The graphics are standard for a puzzle game, nothing fancy. As the game progresses, full size character actions accompany game moves, but still, nothing fancy. The non-puzzle scenes are basic as well. In short, if you're a player that requires high tech graphics, this is not the game for you.

EFFECTS (4/5)

Puzzle Hero's most appealing aspect is its music and sound effects. Its tantalizing tunes remain with players long after the game has been paused. In fact, this review would be much better written if not for the Puzzle Hero tunes rampaging my thoughts.

OVERALL RATING (3/5)

For the puzzle game playing aficionado, Puzzle Hero falls short; however, for younger players, who might favor role playing games, but would benefit from the critical thinking skills necessary to successfully defeat the sorcerer's evil legion of fighters by out-puzzling them, Puzzle Hero proves to be more than satisfactory.

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