Polarium (Nintendo DS) Review

There have been so many puzzle games lately that it is hard to choose one from the other, but they have all been of high quality

Something plagues basically every puzzle game, and that is the fact that not a lot of graphical flair is required; therefore companies do not exactly put in the effort. But then there is the all important fact that is puzzlers are too graphically intensive then a problem arises where players may actually be distracted by what is going on in the background. So it is a major dilemma, trying to cast the right balance between bland appearances and over-flashy visuals. Whether Polarium lands on the right side of the fence here, though, is a matter of opinion. In my view it works perfectly well for what it is

Sometimes it can be quite a chore trying to explain how the various different types of puzzle games in the world are played. Attempting to describe the intricacies of the simple ideas discussed earlier can be more than slightly problematical in that they are so basic that there is hardly anything to actually write about. And guess what? Polarium is just that sort of game

But the puzzle section is just as nerve-wracking, with each different layout requiring completion via one draw of the stylus. This really can hurt your head as you sit there pondering just which move will make everything disappear in a nice little sparkle. There are two options you can have on during this mode, one that shows your previous attempt on the top screen and the other giving you two hints about tiles you should definitely touch. Overall, there is not quite the same level of addiction found in the Russian legend's concept, but Mitchell sure has managed to concoct a fine specimen of a puzzle title, one that stands proud amongst the other Nintendo DS launch games.

In terms of how long it is there is first of all the fact that there are various options to play around with, then there is the difficulty level, as well as the chance to play against a friend in one of the most addictive forms for a long time. So booting up the game gives you a flat out main mode where you are flipping tiles as fast as possible, with more lines appearing on the top of the screen at a rapid rate. Then there is the same thing, but without the fear of getting a Game Over (in other words a Practice mode), a Challenge mode where you have to try and solve set puzzles in just one move (of which there are a hundred to complete, starting with twenty and building up in tens) and the possibility to create your own puzzles or input codes to play on those created by others (such as your friends or Nintendo itself, with a hundred places to store custom puzzles, starting with twenty again and obtaining more space as you work through the set ones). You can even send created puzzles via the wireless link, transmit a demo of the game to a friend or, if two copies are owned, partake in a battle mode where part of your screen shows your action and the other the opponent, with it all working in a traditional Tetris-like manner. It is an endless game, especially due to the solo modes being so hard, without any chance of changing the difficulty settings, but you will relish the challenge.