by Jason Linhares

Created on: October 18, 2008   Last Updated: October 22, 2008

"Peggle Nights" is an addictive strategy/puzzle game along the lines of a hybrid "Alleyway" meets pin-ball. Upon starting "Peggle Nights" you play as mystical creatures while they are dreaming. Each character has five levels in their scenario and each has their own "magic" ability. The cheesy story line has nothing to do with the game play and doesn't really even make sense, but the story sequences can be skipped so it does not take from the play value.

The point is to strategically aim ten balls, one at a time, from the launcher at the top, middle of the screen to make contact with as many orange pegs as possible. Once all the orange pegs are hit, you then progress to the next level. There are three different types of pegs which have different effects; the purple pegs invoke a multiplier bonus, the green peg triggers the characters unique magic ability, and the blue pegs are primarily the obstacles which you must strategically navigate through. At the bottom of the play arena is a cup moving side to side, and if the ball in play makes it you get an extra ball. There are other ways to be rewarded extra balls like hitting at least a certain number of pegs with one ball under a certain circumstance.

At first "Peggle Nights" seems quite simplistic, but as you progress it does become more challenging. Timing, geometry, and logic are exercised and will become more technical and complex though out game play. The launcher is aimed simply by moving the mouse in the play area, and a click of the mouse launches the ball. After the ball is launched, it bounces off the pegs and the angles must be calculated to contact the optimum amount of pegs to advance to the next level while achieving the highest score.

The smooth, colorful graphics are quite pleasing to the eye, with a nice contrast between the background and the foreground of interactive graphics. The sound is crisp and exciting without the irritation of redundant pings and rings. Overall, I give "Peggle Nights" a rating of 4 out of 5, due to its mesmerizing and addictive qualities. The replay value is quite high, for the puzzles are not always the same in placement and arrangement. With 60 levels and duel mode this game made an hour go by like it was 20 minutes. If you enjoy arcade strategy/puzzle games, "Peggle Nights" is fun for all ages and is worth the purchase.

Learn more about this author, Jason Linhares.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.