Features Cartridge Save 1-4 Players Wireless Multiplayer (single cartridge and multiple cartridges) Dual Screen Compatible Touch Screen Compatible Introduction Many people associate Tetris as being one of the greatest puzzle games ever. With that being the case many have tried to copy the formula which was laid down by this original game. Nintendo recently sent me its latest entry into the puzzle genre, Meteos. Not knowing what to expect, I found a great playing game that utilized the DS's touch screen capabilities to the fullest for a game of this type. Having the chance to have sat down to many gameplay sessions with this game I found myself strangely addicted even as a flurry of activity spread across the screen challenging my limited puzzle gaming skills. Yes, Meteos is not Tetris, but then again I don't think it is supposed to be. Graphics For a puzzle game Meteos has a lot of style. What surprised me was how each world that I played various levels in actually looked quite different, and this includes the tile design found in each. Instead of sticking to the typical square tile design for every level Meteos has funky tiles of different shapes and colors for all the worlds represented. I found my self chuckling as I couldn't believe that they put this much effort in making each of the games levels feel so different from one another. The effort that has gone into this aspect of the game is not something you would tend to expect, let alone find, in a puzzle game. In terms of everything else, the TFT LCD screens are put to good use. The colors are bright and energetic and the game seems to pulsate off the screen. People would expect a game of this type not to tax any hardware that is on, but once you see how much action is displayed on the DS's screens you may re-think this notion. That being said it is my happy duty to report that even with everything that does happen on screen, and it can be a lot, the DS's hardware doesn't miss a beat. Overall, Q did a great job of making sure that this puzzle game looks very good. Sound As with the graphics, each world has a distinct style of music to it. The tunes are very unique in their presentation as well as diverse. As I played through the various levels I heard tunes that were mildly techno to what I swear was calypso music. Regardless of how you categorize the music, it is very catchy, very stylish and melds with the on screen action perfectly. As for the rest of the sound effects, they do the job and when they are mixed in with the music they helps to communicate the sense of urgency and craziness, especially when the levels speed up, found in this game. The overall quality of the sound is something that has to be touched upon as well. Coming off of the DS cartridge, the music sounded quite clean and crisp through the DS's stereo speakers. This is something I hope continues as the cartridge storage medium has always been criticized for its lack of a large storage space leading to a need for compression for sound and music. Gameplay When playing a puzzle game on any Nintendo system it is inevitable that people will compare what they are playing to Tetris, as this original falling block puzzle game was made famous on the NES and then it was ported over to the original GameBoy where it became even more mainstream. It is funny how so many years later people compare modern puzzle games to a game that was released on an 8-bit system so long ago. That being said, Meteos is a puzzle game that should not be compared to any puzzle game at all, let alone Tetris, as it has a very distinct style and gameplay that is all it's own. Meteos only real similarity to Tetris is that they are both falling piece puzzle games. However where Meteos is noticeable different sit that the falling pieces do not disappear when linked up appropriately. Each time a series of three or more matching tiles are lined up (vertically or horizontally) they become rockets which blast toward the top of the screen. The goal is to blast the tiles out of the gaming area by using these rockets as your propulsion. As one links up combinations of tiles the strength of the rockets becomes greater, or wider, and it is the extra power that propels the original linked tiles, and any on top them, to exit the top of the screen. It is clear that Meteos was designed with the DS's stylus in mind as this game cannot, and should not, be played any other way. The stylus is used to select and drag tiles up and down their specific columns to link them up with tiles of same colour or design. For the really advanced gamer, linking up combinations becomes an art as one searches for that one critical tile that will allow for many other tiles to match up creating a series of rocket launches. For those thinking that this is a game that they can sit down and relax with I have to inform you that this is not so. During the game one has to pay particular attention to what is going on in front of them on screen as this is definitely a game that requires quick reflexes. Speed and precision is the name of the game as one has to be quite precise with their stylus when moving and lining up tiles in an effort to match them up. Things get pretty crazy and the speed of the game can get quite fast. In terms of variety of gameplay there are many modes of play to make any gamer happy. There is the standard "endless" mode where one plays until any row of tiles hits the top of the screen. There is also a mode that allows one player to test their abilities against computer AI drones in a multiplayer like game. This mode tests skill and planning against another opponent and helps one practice for real live multiplayer opponents. A further mode also has players attempt to complete various tasks (e.g. defeat computer opponent in a set amount of time) as they progress deeper into a specific level. This is kinda cool as there is some sort of objective to each board you play. Finally there is a multiplayer mode and this adds further replayablity to this game. Utilizing the DS's wireless network, multiplayer mode can be played via multiple cartridges or with a single cartridge where the host sends out a ‘sample' of the game to play against another human being. The main objective in multiplayer mode it so clear the screen of tiles well also linking up combinations to send tiles over to your opponent's screen. Meteos also keeps an ongoing record of a player's history and statistics. Such things as how many times one has played to how many tiles have been removed from play are stored in memory. These stats unlock and reward a player with little extras such as new worlds, aliens and sounds or songs. It should be noted that when one plays a multiple cartridge version of multiplayer any statistics are also kept track of and are saved to the cartridge. This is not a fearture that is done in single cartridge multiplayer mode. Conclusion Sitting down to a game of Meteos on the DS is an experience that has to be played. One anyone does t his they will fully appreciate what a good puzzle game this is. Not bowing down and trying to copy the well known Tetris style, developer Q has made sure that Meteos stands out on its own. With a great incorporation of the stylus, good visuals, good sound and an awesome multiplayer experience, any fan of the puzzle genre can't go wrong with this game. For those who may not be a fan of this type of game, my recommendation is give it a go anyways as you will be surprised to find out how good of a game Meteos really is.