PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the Warlords

addictive especially on android tablets

Quite literally the most addictive video game I ever played. I have hundred of hours on the Nintendo DS version, and I could have easily had more if I didn't lose the game cartridge.

This game is the epitome of "one more round". You accomplish something and you just want to keep going. This game will beat you down, and you will get back up each time determined to beat the brakes off that stupid skeleton that got three 4-in-a-rows, two 5-in-a-rows, and a heroic effort, because you foolishly decided to match 3 gold coins off in a corner of the grid.

Every move is the wrong move. You think you're playing big brain? Nah, that move you just did set up the CPU for a cascade of perfect drops that will cost you half your life bar and prevent you from taking a turn for a whole minute. The computer definitely cheats, and that is a good thing.

Every class can become God-Tier broken by the midgame, but some definitely start off better than others. That said, your goal is to cheat the computer right back. Beat it at its own game. Steal every turn, transform every gem to your primary mana and create your own 4 and 5 of a kinds over and over so that they have no chance to play the game.

This game will ruin your life. You're going be driving down the road and when you hit the traffic light, you'll wonder why you didn't get the 3 red mana you needed right before plowing into a Brinks Security transport truck and having 2 armed guards jump out and beat you senselessly with big burlap sacks with dollar signs painted on the side.

I can't even imagine how many hours I will sink into this game. I played this originally in 2007 as part of the first 3 Nintendo DS Lite games I owned myself as a Christmas gift — the other two being Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (which was the limited edition of my Nintendo DS Lite).


The game allows you to choose between 4 different classes — Druid, Knight, Warrior, and Wizard — featuring unique ways to approach what is essentially a quest-based fantasy version of 'Bejeweled' (or heaven forbid 'Candy Crush' is more familiar to you). I know I used to play between Warrior and Wizard a bunch when I was a kid, and I am fairly confident that it changes what abilities you will have in battle. I may include an edit later as to whether or not it affects the quest progression itself. As it is, I have not read the other reviews that likely tell it better than I do.


You collect 4 mana types as you match them, Air, Earth, Fire, and Water (yellow, green, red, and blue), and from these, you will be able to access abilities you have learned from gameplay advancement such as capturing mounts and enemies for your Citadel and then use these in order to gain an edge over your opponent.

Each battle is a shared board between you and your foe, and while matching the 4 mana types, you will also be matching purple stars (Experience points earned post-battle), stacks of coins (money earned post-battle), and Skulls that allow you to chip away at your enemies' health. When no moves remain, the board is simply reset and all mana is drained from both sides. The battle ends when someone's health reaches 0. I thought there might be an option to restart mid-fight, but even if I can't find it, I have had some crazy turnaround battles where I played with the mindset that I'd already lost. There is a vision of power-struggle where you not only aim to match the mana types/colors that benefit your style specifically, but match the mana your enemy might be seeking in order to prevent them from using their stronger moves.

As you quest, there will be some instances where you are able to choose to finish the task as you originally received it, or pick an alternative option. Some of these options will allow companions to join your party. Just tossing that in here so I don't forget; you are welcome to discover for yourself what benefits those choices will give you. I want you to play it and find out with me!

There are separate solo puzzles in the game when you are researching new spells in the Citadel, and you will match scrolls, as well as a number of the other mana types. These will fail if you run out of playable moves, but can be attempted again. Similarly, when capturing an enemy, there are brain-teaser puzzles using the same mechanics as the battle board, but the board is only partially filled and must be cleared to perfection. I am sure I will learn more over time, and maybe I'll even actually beat the game someday — since I was likely too young to fully appreciate the masterpiece this game is for having come out in 2007 and measuring up against the evolution of my individual timeline for my personal consideration as a good game even in 2025.


A1 game. A casual vibe that you can play while attending to other tasks or obligations, watching a show with your buddies, whatever you like. There are additional Puzzle Quest games out there, I just haven't tried them yet and was really only originally scoping this one out due to my specific personal history with it, which I am certain carries a massive bias lean in my review. I have no doubt that I will look into them sometime in the future.

sucks and wont launch

Slow ... its soooo slow.... even losing is slow ... everything take forever including losing.

Match 3 and an rpg, match made in heaven! Been a fan since the xbox 360! Great on steam deck.

This runs incredibly well on steam deck. Although it says it’s not supported, I can confirm it’s fully supported with a controller too. This is such an old puzzle game but a classic for me. Much better than bejeweled, but it is just as captivating.

One problem: you need to be steady with the cursor as some cities may be difficult to click on. Instead of clicking on them, you need to be a bit away from them to actually click on it. A bit frustrating but it works.

A classic match-3 RPG adventure game. I spent hundreds of hours playing it from a CD off-Steam and regularly return to play a couple boards every now and again. Simple and fun, with good, old anime-ish artstyle. A big recommend to everyone.

The Best Puzzle Game Ive Ever Played. I Enjoy it than most puzzle games since it has RPG Elements in it.

This game is AWESOME! but then when you get to PQ2, youre like EH....then go to PQ3 and that is a shit game....so yeah this is the best one out of the 3

PLAY THIS ONE AND ONLY THIS ONE

good

Fun game when you're looking to kill a few minutes here and there. Would be awesome if the expansions were available.

I got into Puzzle Quest through a small mobile version of it that they had for my flip phone well over 10 years ago. I have since spent many hours and multiple playthroughs of this game, and the expansion that they added years later only made it better. Although the story is fairly simple, the gameplay is definitely one of if not the best amongst the match-3 games.
I absolutely cannot recommend this game enough.

So between steam, xbox, and 3ds, I have around 300 hrs logged on this game. It's a great fantasy based match 3 with actually a lot of strategy involved. It's fun figuring out how you can minmax certain builds with spells and items. Once you hit higher levels and get the right combination of spells with the right gear, you can do massive amounts of damage at a time. I really enjoy the art and music too. One of my favorite soundtracks.

This game is a gem.
Ignore the apparent short time played. I've actually got very many hours on non Steam versions and completed the game many times.
The mix of puzzle + questing is perfect.
The sequels never stacked up to this original.

ver gud

Match 3 rpg, pretty sweet.

for a senior i find this fun.

It's getting close to 20 years old now, but it is still my favourite match 3 game. Yes the story is crap, the AI cheats and the battles get repetitive, but it is still worth playing after all of this time. Plus you can find the expansion that never officially released for the PC in the discussions, which is a bonus.

I connect to the game on a deeper level, it's my childhood, literally. Never completed it up to this day, 45h all it took. My inner child is screaming with tears and joy. Nostalgia hit, and now I'm sad. But those memories will never fade. Props to the game devs on makin such a hit game in 2007.

As in for the game itself, I didin't experience any bugs, glitches, crashes nor anything that category, solid for an old production and a windows 10 system.

Totally recommend to anyone, really addicting and time consuming.

Best game

Puzzle Quest is good because Puzzle Quest is a puzzle and I like puzzles.

Fun match3 without any micro transactions. Holds up well, but doesn't run on steam deck.

huniepop if it was good