Hacker gets revenge on Puzzle Quest's bullying AI
by Eric Caoili 
{ Apr 10th 2007 at 12:00PM }
We're not certain what sort of demonic sacrifices Infinite Interactive made to grant Puzzle Quest its hellborn AI, but we imagine that the cursed contract that authenticated the ceremony was written with the blood of many innocents. The match-three puzzler does everything short of outright cheating, stealing your advantages and setting up multiple combos, each computer-cleared gem bearing the mark of Mephistopheles.DS gamer Zaraf plotted a strategy that would tear down the AI's defenses and avenge dozens of unfair losses. Unwilling to spend months leveling up and making preparations, staying his vendetta, he hex-edited the game to to max out his character's stats. Zaraf then armed his warrior with a class spell called Deathbringer, enabling him to fill the screen with an amount of damaging skulls equal to half of his red mana. Head past the post break for the results caught on video.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kefka @ Apr 10th 2007 12:34PM
Ohh FFS, hearing this "boo hoo cheating AI" crap about Puzzle Quest is getting a bit tiring.
I've been playing it a lot - up to level 28 or so atm i think. In all that time I've only lost a handful of battles - usually when seiging.
Sure, the AI seems to get lucky more often than you do - things seem to drop better for it. But honestly, it goes both ways - albeit humans are not as good at 'seeing' the opportunities and chaining potential as the AI. Big sodding deal. The game is challenging, and the AI luck is occasionally frustrating, but it's not some big mean unfair thing.
Annoyed at the AI luck? How about you try NOT SUCKING at the game. Just my little rant. Amusing video.
Se7en2 @ Apr 10th 2007 1:01PM
I agree with Kefka. The advantage that the AI gets from the multiple combos is outweighed by the advantages we get with more spells, more equipment and better strategy. I've lost few battles (seiges and boss battles, mainly), but not to the point that I wanted to quit playing (or toss my DS). In most cases, I'll just do side quests to level up and try again. I'm currently sitting at level 27 with a wizard.
What's more frustrating for me than the AI is the puzzles you need to solve to capture monsters. But, again, not frustrating enough to make me want to give up the game.
Just my $.02
CP Malone @ Apr 10th 2007 4:52PM
My wife has become so good she makes the "cheating AI" a welcome relief. When we play I feel like the dragons in that video. Seriously, she's like Rain Man ("the red ones... definitely the red ones...).
Eric Caoili @ Apr 10th 2007 1:53PM
yeah, while there are a couple people out there who feel the AI is a bit too lucky, i myself am doing quite fine at the game with my lvl 31 knight. the only parts where i have trouble at are seiging new cities with double my HP.
Dhukka @ Apr 10th 2007 4:09PM
I don't care whether the AI complaints get boring or not.
I just found the newspost to be damn funny. Well written Eric.
Hidden_Agenda @ Apr 10th 2007 3:15PM
I have beat quest mode (along with all side quests) without much trouble with my lvl 50 mage.
That said, I did have some problems at the very beginning of the game but not so much that I would call the game a cheater. Though, I did one time have the AI beat me outright w/o my even having a chance to make a single move.
zenprism @ Apr 10th 2007 4:33PM
I love this game, cheating-ish or not.
The PC demo has gotten many a play at work recently.
Winning with one spell seems to take some of the fun out of things however.
Kyle @ Apr 11th 2007 2:25AM
Yeesh -- the AI might get an inordinate number of cheap combos, but the cheat behind that video makes playing the game pointless.
John @ Apr 11th 2007 12:11PM
Uh.....I don't think the AI is cheap, I just think people suck. Sure, you can't do much about what drops above the screen...but the whole point of the game is to tip the scales in your favor. I'm at level 32 and matching 3 skulls for 13 damage, and also reflecting up to I think 4 damage when I'm hit - I rarely lose. Crafting runes is definitely the way to go.