Third Time's a Charm
The first Jewel Quest game was released on March 8th, 2006, and the series quickly became know as one of the best puzzle experiences around. The inevitable sequel followed not long after and now, over two years later, we have Jewel Quest III, the third entry in the series. So, does it still retain that magical quality that made the first game such a hit? Yes, yes, a million times yes!
Rarely do I fall in love with a game before I actually start playing it but that's exactly what happened here. Jewel Quest III's entire presentation is brilliant. A museum lobby acts as the main menu. From the entrance, there is a shelf full of reading material to your left. You can learn how to play the game, read about tournament play, learn about the history of Jewel Quest, and even read the credits and find out who developed the game.
Straight ahead of you is the map room, but to go there you must first sign the guest book. Once in the map room, you can use the globe in the center (which you can grab and turn with the mouse) to access the single player game. Off to the right you'll see the Tournament Room, which you can enter to try your luck against opponents from all around the world.
Well, now that I'm through praising the game's menu, let's talk about the actual game!
On With the Show
The strongest aspect of the Jewel Quest series has always been the storytelling. Not to say that the gameplay is sub par, not at all. It's just that the storytelling is amazing. It's well-written with fascinating characters that you actually care about and the story can actually be quite an emotional ride.
The second game in the series chronicled Rupert's attempts and ultimate success at winning back the love of his darling Emma. Now, the two have a six-year-old daughter named Natalie. Unfortunately, Natalie was caught in a trap that was laid for Rupert and now she's gone blind.
Rupert suspects that his nemesis Sebastian Grenard is at the heart of it and he heads out to find a cure for his daughter.
It's a much darker tale than you would usually see in a game such as this but it's also much more entertaining and involving.
And finally, to the gameplay. Chances are that if you've played any Match 3 puzzler, you'll immediately identify with this gameplay. It's easy, simple, and surprisingly addictive. Jewel Quest III may not add anything revolutionary to the formula, but it definitely does it justice.
A Fantastic Installment
If you own the first two installments in the series, finish your collection. And if you haven't played any of the games, this isn't a bad jumping on point. While you won't get some of the back story, it's a new story and it works perfectly well on its own. Jewel Quest III brings back the beloved characters and gameplay and spins a whole new amazing tale.
