by Jaime Skelton

Created on: January 22, 2008

Deep Blue Sea is a single player puzzle game in which tiles are matched in an attempt to free treasures by getting them to the bottom. The full version of Deep Blue Sea costs $19.95, but a free 60 minute trial can be downloaded at http://www.reflexive.com/DeepBlueSea.html.

Game Play: 4/5

Anyone who's ever played Bejeweled will be familiar with the way Deep Blue Sea is played; and for those who haven't, the learning curve is easy. At its simplest level, the game is played by matching three similar symbols in a row or column. By doing so, you can bring special symbols (treasures) to the bottom of the puzzle grid, freeing them from the puzzle and completing your objective. At the start, this makes the game relatively easy; but as the game progresses, more strategy is required as you must break "chained" symbols and work around gaps in the puzzle grid, as well as use special amulets and equipment to your advantage. This rewards more experienced puzzlers, while allowing novice puzzlers to gradually increase their skill.

Graphics: 3/5

Done in a cartoon style, the graphics of Deep Blue Sea are not cutting-edge, but they do serve the purpose of the game. Symbols on the game board are easy to distinguish from one another, and none of them are distracting (an easy trap in some puzzle games.) The colors used match the setting; deep and cool blues for backgrounds, and brighter but unobtrusively so symbols that are relaxing on the eyes. You could certainly play this game for hours without straining your eyes.

Sound: 3/5

The game provides an easy to listen to, tropical background music. It provides a calming effect, although you may eventually tire of it and turn it off. Symbols are removed from the grid with a bright bubble popping sound, that's rewarding to listen to as a chain of moves goes off.

Creativity & Innovation: 4/5

Deep Blue Sea uses a classic game frame of symbol matching, and in the first few levels, this may not seem at all innovative. However, the developers cleverly tied the game to a story line, and gradually include elements (such as equipment and special powers) that are more typical of role-playing games than your standard "sit and click" puzzle game. While the story itself may seem like a cheesy backdrop, it serves a purpose. What really surprised me was the ability to collect money to purchase upgrades and equipment, as well as the unique power of each amulet combined with the increasing challenges of the puzzles. It's clear that this game is not just another puzzle clone.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Although Deep Blue Sea may not impress you at the first few levels, the more you play the game, the more you are rewarded with challenges. With a quickly addictive game play, the game is well worth a $19.95 purchase, especially as it boasts over 170 levels before replaying becomes an option.

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