Before you start reading this review, take into consider that the review expresses the criticism and enjoyment I experienced from playing the Japanese import for several months. Marks are not deducted based upon the language barrier and therefore my review will revolve around the modes of play and veer away from the story. A long awaited stateside appearance of Meteos has finally arrived. So what is to expect from this chaotic puzzler? Does it deliver the same quality of Q Entertainment’s PSP puzzler, Lumines? Such questions and the in-depth look into the play mechanics of Meteos will be covered in the following review. The game has four basic modes of play though additional intricacies can be set and perimeters to customize your gameplay experience. The first type you will most likely experiment with is “Simple” play. In this mode, you set every boundary from opponent artificial intelligence to the difficulty in block speed and the stage’s complexity. The second mode is “Star Trip”. In this form, you travel through space and complete your given missions. You may be demanded to clear an area or defeat enemies within a time restrain. You are capable of configuring the aggression of the stage and your opponents. If you fail to complete your task, there will be a point dockage and at the fork of the path, you will be unable to choose your direction. The third mode, “Time War”, is the mode that you will spend the least time with. It has four challenges for you to complete and all can easily be done and there is not much incentive to return to these tests. The first is a two-minute run on a fixed planet where you try your best to score as many points as possible. The second challenge is the same as said first except you have five-minutes and you play on a different skin. The third and forth are similar tasks where instead of having a time limit, you are trying to accomplish the task in the least amount of time so your score is registered by a time whereas with the first and second tasks, your scores are the actual scores you achieve. In the third, your goal is to clear one hundred blocks in the least amount of time and the forth is to clear one thousand blocks. The last major form of play in Meteos is the most replayable. It’s known as “Deluge”. Here you choose your skin you wish to play on and then you go at it. It is a test of how long you can last, how many blocks you can clear and your final total score. There are in the end thirty-two different planets to play on which you will unlock throughout the course of the game. At this point of understanding what the game has to offer, you are still left wondering how the whole game flows together and of course, the gameplay mechanics. Q Entertainment has created a unique experience for the Nintendo DS and the gameplay uses the DS’ touch screen as its main control scheme (the d-pad can also be used but is not suggested). As blocks fall from the sky, you are forced to plan ahead as you rearrange them vertically along their column. You are also able to rearrange block formations in midair to send them clear off the screen. To clear blocks away from the field of play, you have to create a minimal of three identical blocks either vertically or horizontally. It is a simple chain that you will grow to love and anticipate to happen. When creating your lines, you will accumulate points and the larger chains you create, the more points you are rewarded. So when you send a section of blocks into the air, they are most likely going to return back down so to create chains, you have to think spontaneously and anticipate the arrival of the falling block formation. Sounds chaotic, doesn’t it? The gameplay doesn’t stop there. Meteos offers a variety of item weapons that affect the game. With sixteen items ranging from bombs to summoning axes, you realize that this is not your ordinary puzzler. You are able to turn items on or off and set the general item frequency as seen in the Super Smash Bros. series. Items can be pivotal factors in your match and that is why they are not used in “Deluge” as that mode is a true test of your skill. The whole game is tied together with flawless cohesion through the menu known as “Merge” on the Japanese version. It is the shop where you buy new music, new planets and new items. Before something is purchasable, you have to unlock it by accumulating enough of their currency. Your currency is the blocks that you clear from playing any of the modes other than “Time War”. The visuals are not breathtaking, but they are something you have never seen before. The game has a unique look to match its unparallel gameplay and with the fast paced action, you do not want fancy blocks, as it is better to keep things basic for easy deciphering. The audio is a love or hate aspect of the game as you will either be annoyed or you will enjoy the diverse original soundtrack. Meteos’ sound excels with headphones and is definitely a large influence in the game’s style. Each planet has its own background music, which is another treat in this game. Each round you play will last from three to six minutes depending on your experience. This is something discouraging but with time you will appreciate the complexity the gameplay has to offer. Q Entertainment has created a gem that will remain a treasured game by those who have invested in a Nintendo DS and for the others, they will wonder along the sidelines at a godsend they are too ignorant to appreciate. So yes, yes it does deliver and excel past the quality of PSP’s Lumines.
The thirst thing that I thought when I read Gamespot's preview on Meteos was: this game is just a sort of Tetris clone. When I watched the videos of the game in action I was immediately proven wrong, and repented for my ... Read Full Review
Positive: + excellent presentation + fun, addicting gameplay + lots of variety within the few offered modes + awesome soundtrack and sound effects + offers a lot to keep you coming back for more Negative: - no... Read Full Review
