Puzznic is the blockiest game we’ve seen in quite a while. Of course, you’ve got your run of the mill blocks, which act to define the limits of each arena; you’ve got your special blocks, which move about and act as transportation platforms and temporary barriers (both a help and hindrance those); but most importantly you’ve got your puzzle blocks. These babies each sport a certain symbol and will disappear should you bring two or more of a type together… the aim being to relinquish each level of its puzzle blocks by deftly manipulating them into the appropriate position. You’re free to move puzzle blocks left or right but, as is traditional in videogame land, they will fall to the bottom of the screen should you tip them off the edge of a ledge – useful for dropping that final key block between two of its family members below, but not so handy when it really needed to land on that moving platform to be transported left to its buddy on the ridge.

It’s here that we find one of the more interesting aspects of Puzznic. Early on it appears that the game simply tests one’s awareness of cause and effect – nothing in the level alters until the player instigates a chain-reaction and all that’s required for success is a little forward thinking. This soon changes though, the moving platforms introducing a new kinetic dynamic… brain power alone won’t see you through this one – timing is all important too. But oops, here we have a problem, because timing falling blocks so they hit home is, in many circumstances, a matter of sheer trial and error rather than spurof- the-moment judgement. This is most noticeable when blocks need to fall long distances and isn’t helped by the fact that the relationship between the falling block and its target platform is counter-intuitive. Drop the block a little early so the platform only just gets there in time and you’re okay, the block will sit in mid-air as the platform slides underneath then be carried along once the two are perfectly lined up. Miss that sweet spot however, even by a smidgen, and the platform will resolutely refuse to carry your block anywhere – your poor counter will simply float in the air whilst the rest of the platform passes underneath (which looks ridiculous) after which it will plummet you unceremoniously into failure.

Despite such shortcomings (see ‘Play Nice’), Puzznic is still an enjoyable proposition and for a tenner the game would come highly recommended to anyone with the inclination for a li’l brain-taxing fun. The outlay necessitated by import costs however, should see few satisfied with the breadth of content provided… it’s simply too hard to justify the inflated price you’ll likely be asked to shell out. Pity that.