Columns III

Seriously : The Columns games even in the first iteration on Genesis have always been more versatile in their combinations that Tetris and Dr.Mario, The speed factor is interesting as you can accelerate the movement of the falling gem triads, and pushing the button you switch the color order. The fun part is that you can make combos of 3+ gems in diagonals, which opens up strategies to more diversity than the aforementionned behemoth of the Puzzle Genre. I say this being an unconditionnal fan of Tetris since 1990, but upon trying Columns 3 on the Game Gear, and now finding the original Columns for the Genesis on LukieGames, I've realized how much of a fast paced puzzle this game series can be. Dr. Mario is the most complex of the 3, no question, BUT columns makes up with the swiftness of the moves and the combination possibilities. They even reward players who use the "increase speed of falling gems" by pressing down on the controller : the score of the player increases steadily as long as he pushes downard. I have never seen this kind of incentive to rush to the finish in the classic puzzles. (Note: this review is moreso based on Columns 1 gameplay than the 3rd one as I haven't Grabbed a new copy of the =3rd installment yet) My personnal opionion in the Puzzle genre nowadays for favorites: Puzznic : 8.5/10 Tetris: 9/10 Dr.Mario 9/10 Columns 9.5/10 Doctor Who Legacy : 10/10 But to each his own : we can never have too many fantastic puzzle games to play!

It's okay