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Jewel Master Cradle of Egypt DS

Format:
DS

Genre:
Minigames

Buy/Support:
Support Steve, click to buy via us...

I get stupidly immersed in another excellent Bejeweled clone for the DS, Jewel Master.

• It's another puzzler for DS.
• Classic ‘match 4 symbols' idea.
• Simple use of DS touch screen.
• Surprising amount of strategy.
• Watch out for level 33. Ouch.
• Didn't really notice Egypt.
• Immense ‘one more go' syndrome.
• Totally addictive game play.
• Allow time for toilet breaks.

In My Experience

My other half loves these types of games. I can usually take them or leave them, but Jewel Master is simply too addictive and fun to put down. The difference here is that each grid has a few blue squares that need to be cleared once or twice by matching symbols. This turns a walk in the park to the most taxing of puzzle propositions.

When all blues were cleared, you have to clear a path for the beetle that appears. If that wasn’t tricky enough, some squares are blocked off and can only be activated by matching the relevant symbol underneath with another line of 4 or more. Thank goodness certain symbols fill their energy bars to blast away a few squares at a time.

Last Word

Easy concept of matching symbols meets strategic challenge. Clearing the blue squares as well as building up power-up meters and matching the symbols in the grid is frantic, but fun. And within a time limit. And then the beetle icon appears. And then, oh - it's several hours later.

Strategic matching game is great for long trips.

Quote

Jewel Master Cradle of Egypt needs to have its own clinic for dependent gamers. It’s easy to get into but so hard to put back down. I think it’s excellent.

Written by Steve Manser

You can support Steve by buying Jewel Master Cradle of Egypt



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Steve Manser writes the Teletext Gamer column.

"I remember watching and waiting for Teletext pages to tell me the latest and greatest video game news in the 80s and 90s. What better way then, to review the best of those old games with some choice new titles here and there."

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