Bejeweled 3

Everyone’s favorite puzzle game makes a shiny return to your PC, and though it isn’t anything to take your breath away for long-time Bejeweled fans, it’s still a good one to try. The popularity of the game has a lot to do with its simplicity – all you’re doing is matching up similar gemstones to get enough points to clear the board. Though it’s super approachable for anyone, even hardcore games can find it addictive trying to find out the best time to use certain powers and when to clear certain rows or columns.

The rules are simple: get three gems of the same kind together to clear them, wait for random backup stones to fall and take up space. You move stones around to try and match trios together until you’ve done so enough to advance levels. Like previous Bejeweled games, getting four at once creates a flame gem, which can then be used at your convenience to detonate a larger space on the board. Match five and a hypercube is made that can destroy all gems of a single color. In Classic Mode, you go at your own pace and complete as many stages as you can until there aren’t any matches anymore.

There are seven other modes you can play to not only keep things fresh, but up the challenge from Classic Mode. Lightning Mode, for example, adds a sense of urgency by implementing a timer. Get as far as you can before the clock expires. Time gems fall down that when cleared, will add some precious seconds to the clock. As if a clock isn’t enough of an enemy, there are certain environmental modes that alter how gems are cleared. In Ice Storm, vertical columns of ice shoot out from the bottom of the board, forcing you to smash them in order to make matches. As matching gems either horizontally or vertically effects how the ice column is destroyed, it’s more than just about trying to find combinations to free up your board as there’s a great deal of instant strategizing that goes along with it.

For those who can’t get enough of mission based games and enjoy a bit of direction, there’s Quest Mode. In this mode you are challenged to complete certain tasks of ever-increasing difficulty to advance levels. Being forced to get enough matches of a certain color, or making use of bombs. It’s fun to go through it the first time, but as it doesn’t change up over subsequent plays, you’ll end up spending more times on the other modes.
Different modes get unlock as you play more, which is a smart way of keeping you playing the game.

What would have put this game over the top would have been the inclusion of an online leaderboard. Sure it’s satisfying to beat your own high score, but there’s nothing like trying to see where the best in the world stand compared to you. It’s a surprising omission considering its predecessor, Blitz, had a Facebook application that allowed you to view your friend’s score. To not even build off this idea is unfortunate, seeing as how it’s a PC game to begin with.

Despite the lack of a leaderboard, Bejeweled 3 is still a great time-waster. There are enough modes to satisfy any fan, from the beginner to the hardcore gamer.