Puzzle Quest loved by Penny Arcade, tossed aside by game shops?

by Eric Caoili { Mar 28th 2007 at 11:00AM }

Ever since Infinite Interactive released a PC demo for Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, gamers have been scrambling to find a DS or PSP copy of the title. The addictiveness of its Puzzle/RPG blend is matched only by its apparent rarity in stores. NeoGAF forumer Eric P aptly described the game and its limited distribution when he posted, "If Bejeweled is crack, then this is Space Crack that you can only buy from Space Crips in Space Angeles's space ghettos."

Don't expect those Space Crips or your local shop to hang onto unsold copies for too long, though. According to Penny Arcade, Electronics Boutique stores in Canada might already be taking the game off their shelves due to disappointing sales. Considering that this much sought-after title was released only a week ago, ousting it this early in its lifetime seems downright unconscionable. We really hope this isn't a trend that other North American retailers will follow.

Meanwhile, both the DS Fanboy and Penny Arcade offices have been caught by Puzzle Quest's steely grip, rendering us incapable of focusing our thoughts on anything else. Tycho and Gabe have drawn up two comics about the title in just the past week, dedicating several posts to their adventures obtaining and playing the game.

Infinite Interactive's Steve Fawkner published a short comic of his own, explaining Puzzle Quest's shipment shortage. Check it out past the post break.

Tags: bejewled, canada, comic, comics, ds, dslite, electronicsboutique, infiniteinteractive, nintendods, pennyarcade, puzzle, puzzlequest, puzzler, rpg, shop, store, warlords, webcomic

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kefka @ Mar 28th 2007 12:22PM

I'm addicted to the PC demo at the moment... I might rush over to gametraders and find out if they have a copy of the US release before it vanishes!

With bad sales, an AU release may not happen :(

jt_bombtrak @ Mar 28th 2007 12:17PM

I acquired a copy on release day thinking my fiancee would love it. I tinkered with it a bit before she gave it a whirl, and thought it was ok, although the "Bejeweled"-style gameplay at its core bored me about as much as...well, Bejeweled. But since she LIKES Bejeweled, and other similar games, I thought the story and RPG elements would just add a new gameplay aspect for her to sink her teeth into.

The reaction the game got after 15 minutes of play??? "You have to create potions and crap." I don't think she's played it since.

Jonathan Harford @ Mar 28th 2007 12:43PM

(((I hope Infinite Interactive is better at making games than they are
at comics.)))

Vagabond Artist @ Mar 28th 2007 1:15PM

yeah, so I'm hopelessly addicted to this game and enamored by the new avenues that have been opened because of it.

KilgoreTrout XL @ Mar 28th 2007 2:08PM

I got my copy from Buy.Com. They have it for $26.99.

I'm definitely enjoying the game so far, though the touch screen controls could be a bit sharper.

Oneiromancer @ Mar 28th 2007 3:53PM

As Tycho mentioned at the bottom of Monday's news post, he finally got his copy at Target. I had gone to Target on Monday night to get something else (before reading that news post, actually), and I stopped by the electronics section and they had several copies. For whatever reason, Target seems to be carrying this game when other retailers aren't. Although it's not part of the $24 sale, perhaps that has something to do with it.

ambient @ Mar 28th 2007 3:48PM

Reviewers have said that the DS version does not control as nicely as the PSP version. My belief in a just, balanced universe lies in ruins...

I hate to buy the flawed version of something when I know a better one exists, but I suppose it's better than forking out the cash for an otherwise-useless PSP?

WexusNexus @ Mar 28th 2007 3:03PM

i truly believe this game doesn't end... gamespot's review says that the game could easily have over 100 hours of game play, and i'm testing that limit... i'm actually really appreciating the fact that the puzzle structure kind of changes from battles to weapon forging to spell researching to capturing to training mounts. It certainly adds some variety and depth and allows for less sleep.

Joey Jo Jo Jr. @ Mar 28th 2007 3:23PM

I live in Canada and couldn't find it in any EB in town. I ended up getting it from Toys R' Us for $29.99 and it was well worth it.
The game is brilliant fun and quite addictive. Sure, sometimes it feels like the board is stacked against you, but it makes victory all the sweeter!

zenprism @ Mar 28th 2007 3:41PM

I found a used DS copy at EB Games the other day after playing and loving the PC demo.
The game is fantasticly addictive. Highly recommended.

Robert @ Mar 28th 2007 10:53PM

I had to go to my local EB who didnt have it, had them call around to all the stores in the area. Only one had a copy, and it was in the middle of nowhere. Drive out after work with eb edge store credit card in hand. THEN as i go to purchase, their pos POS machine goes wacky and I can't buy the game (they took my money but had no proof of it). I relienquished my copy after making them vow that I could drive for an hour the next day to get it after they fixed the card problem. Sure enough, last friday I gots mine.
My wife is addicted, and I am too. But she steals the DS.

eric @ Mar 28th 2007 5:39PM

Ambient,

I've heard similar concerns about the game's controls, but I don't have any complaints with the touchscreen on Puzzle Quest DS. I haven't heard any problems either on the forums I've discussing the game in. Both PSP and DS versions have their advantages and flaws, but in my biased opinion, the DS game is definitely the one to buy.

dubajj @ Mar 28th 2007 10:16PM

puzzle quest is every bit addicting as they say. I have had it for 48 hours and i have played it for close to 15 hours.

i love it, im gonna go play it for...another many hours in a row.

crusher @ Mar 28th 2007 11:56PM

This game is awesome. After reading a couple reviews last weekend, I downloaded the PC demo and loved it. I was skeptical, since you can play Bejeweled or a clone for free on any number of websites, but it is so much more than that. I couldn't find it at Target over the weekend, so I ended up using Gamestop's website to locate a store that had it in stock. I had also read the comments saying the DS version was inferior, but I have no complaints with it. It controls just fine and looks only slightly worse than the PC demo (mainly because the smaller screen makes it harder to see things, but it's definitely not problematic).

In short, grab it if you can....it rules.

rk @ Mar 29th 2007 12:08PM

I was very skeptical of this game... particularly with the crap music, and the fact that it's YET another Bejeweled/Zoo Keeper ripoff.

But after giving it some time to test it, I could easily hit 200+ hours with this. The strategy elements are VERY good, and after getting a strong character I am now hopelessly addicted.