Evolved from
an original puzzler never released outside Japan, Tetris Attack sparked a video
game revolution. It opened the door for creativity in 2D puzzle games at a time
when everything else was going 3D. Instead of guiding blocks as they fell, you
had to reverse the location of blocks as they rose up from underneath the
screen. Blocks piled up quickly. Your goal was to move the blocks (only two
could be reversed at one time) to align at least three of the same colored
block. Doing so caused the linked blocks to disappear — doing it in multiples
created combos and chain reactions.
Brilliant
and addictive, Tetris Attack led to an innovative, unofficial sequel called
Pokemon Puzzle League. The pocket monster-themed puzzler introduced a swiveling
3D platform that more than doubled the amount of block options.
Years later
Meteos was released for the Nintendo DS, a game that took the Tetris Attack
theme to new heights with the ability to touch and push blocks (Meteos) into
space.
This spring
Nintendo is treating us to another variation of the classic TA formula: Pokemon
Trozei. Dozens of Pokemon, two screens, and a whole lot of frantic touching and
dragging are the game’s highlights. Addiction is the side effect.
Pokemon
Trozei is one of the few games that utilizes both the top and bottom screens to
their fullest. The playing field is a lengthy rectangle that stretches across
both screens. The top screen starts filling as up as soon as the rows start
exceeding 25 puzzle pieces.
The pieces
come in various shapes, all of which are based on the head of a Pokemon. Pikachu,
Charmander, Beedrill, Caterpie, etc., make an appearance, as do many others from
the series.
Pokemon are
not reversed, they are slid across the screen. You move them by touching the
screen and sliding the stylus in a vertical or horizontal direction (no
diagonal). Slide a head left or right and the entire row of Pokemon will move in
that direction. Slide downward and the row moves down. The Pokemon on the bottom
of the bottom screen disappear, but not for long. Pokemon that have been
eliminated by being pushed down will drop back in through the top screen.
Drag upward
and you’ll run into another obstacle: the heads cannot be pushed up beyond one
space! They’ll drop back down immediately after attempting to move them in this
direction.
Pokemon
start falling the second the game starts. Since they have a similar, square-like
shape, the obvious solution must be to line up three or more heads of the same
Pokemon…right? Almost. The first strike must be with at least four of the same
Pokemon connected. Pokemon start flashing as soon as they are able to be
eliminated (or Trozeid, as the game calls it). You must hold that position for
about a second to complete the action.
Once that’s
been accomplished, you have anywhere from one half of a second to two seconds to
line up three Pokemon of the same species. The time allowed to make the next
move lessens with each stage. Successfully line up three Pokemon and you’ll have
the joy of eliminating Pikachu and company when just two of the same species are
aligned. More can be attached for bigger combos, but with only two being
required, some of the Pokemon will Trozei themselves by default of their
location.
The chain
goes on until you fail to align two Pokemon within the unknown time limit. It
also ends if all the Pokemon are removed from the screen before additional
monsters can drop in. There are times when only two or three Pokemon are left,
each from a different species. That too will end the chain.
This
continues throughout the entire game. One requirement is all you get.
Adventure
Mode is great fun – it starts easy and ends with a final puzzle that will tests
your skills without driving you insane. You’ll be a little perturbed but come
out wearing the same clothes, not a gameplay-restricting straightjacket.
Battles are
divided into stages, sub-stages, and boss battles. Stages have a set amount of
Pokemon that must be Trozeid; do it and you win. Boss battles have a set amount
as well, but it works a little differently. The Pokemon listed control that
boss’s life meter. Play too slowly and the boss will start to replenish his
health, adding Pokemon to the Trozei list.
Bosses also
drop rocks on your screen that can only be eliminated with the random Pokemon
piece (Ditto), which appears after five Pokemon have been aligned and wiped out.
This piece can be used to remove rocks as well as any group of Pokemon it is
aligned with.
Each stage
and boss battle features unique Pokemon. Trozeid Pokemon are added to your
completion list (this game’s version of the Pokedex, minus the detailed attack
and species information). There are over 380 Pokemon to Trozei, and while I do
not believe it’s impossible to collect each one on your own, the easiest way to
catch ’em all is to play with a friend.
Endless
Trozei is a single-player mode, and for a seasoned gamer like myself it’s just
too slow. I lost interest 45 minutes into it. The experience wasn’t a bad one,
but I wanted to be challenged. I was no master. The final boss in Adventure Mode
proved that. Endless Trozei was neither challenging nor exciting. I’m sure it
will mode will get to that point – eventually. For the time being, however, I
just don’t have the patience to play till the point where it gets challenging
and exciting. Some things are too easy for their own good, I guess. Increasing
the starting level didn’t help.
Not to worry
though. When the Adventure Mode ends, a more difficult version opens up for you
to conquer.
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Gameplay: 7.6
Pokemon Trozei is
an entertaining touch-enabled puzzler with a lot of pizzazz. The D-pad isn’t
even used, meaning players will have to touch and drag like a Poke-maniac if
they want to succeed. The Adventure Mode is entertaining for hours, has a bonus
mode that’s more challenging, and packs a great deal of replay value. If you’re
one of those gamers that’s gotta catch ‘em all, you’ll be playing this one for
weeks (possibly months) to accomplish that task.
Graphics: 6.0
Basic 2D visuals
with little to get excited about. They get the job done, I’ll give them that.
Sound: 6.0
Generic,
repetitive sounds that aren’t as catchy as traditional Pokemon tunes.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Pokemon Trozei
has its difficulties, but to the challenge of mastering Tetris Attack and
Pokemon Puzzle League, nor it can compare to the overwhelming feeling that comes
with every game of Meteos.
Concept: 8.0
Another great
variation of the Tetris Attack formula.
Multiplayer: 7.5
Trozei Battle
allows two players to see who can last the longest; Pair Trozei lets you team up
with a friend for some interesting cooperative gaming. Though it’s better to
have the game card, players without it can download a demo version from a DS
running Pokemon Trozei. The demo version lets you play both multiplayer modes as
well as a limited version of Endless Trozei.
Overall: 7.5
Pokemon Trozei
isn’t as much of a mainstream title as the traditional Pokemon games are, nor
does it feature gameplay comparable to Pokemon Puzzle League. It’s not as
diverse either. I hate saying that, because what’s here is very good. Pokemon
Trozei is different, addictive, and has some great multiplayer options. Don’t
buy it for the little pocket monster in your family, but if you love puzzlers or
know someone that does, Pokemon Trozei is sweeter than any amount of candy you
could stuff in an Easter basket.
