Review: TiQal
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery than Tetris should be very honored by the recent Xbox Live Arcade release TiQal. The game sounds like the name of the Vulcan woman from Star Trek III who placed Spock's soul back into his body (looking around nervously, making sure I'm not the only one who got that reference...damn!) While you'd be mistaken, gamers will find a new twist on the puzzle genre.
In TiQal players must match blocks of different colors in groups of four or more. The objective is to eliminate blocks to avoid getting topped out as they slowly inch upward. The game play will be familiar to anybody who's played Tetris (everyone on the planet) but TiQal throws in enough wrinkles to make it at least feel like Tetris: Mayan Edition. A variety of themed Power Ups - jaguar strikes, spear attacks, blow darts, screeching monkeys - provide some much needed help by wiping out blocks, and also add to the Apocalypto-like vibe. The inclusion of a story line and excellent game presentation help set this title apart from other puzzle games but some glaring weaknesses mess up the fun.
A puzzle game has to be challenging in order for it to be addictive but TiQal gives players too many chances. Power Ups bail gamers out of bad situations too easily and topping out delivers no real penalty. But the worst offender is the weak AI. TiQal doesn't get tough until its highest levels and because its so long it'll take the average gamer 4-6 hours to get there. Considering all the other choices gamers have for the genre, that's a long wait.
Cons: AI progresses too slowly, too many of its ilk on the market already
![Screen Update: Golden Axe: Beast Rider [PS3]](/screens/116841/185569-1-1.jpg)
![Screen Update: Golden Axe: Beast Rider [Xbox 360]](/screens/116861/185568-1-1.jpg)
![Screen Update: We Love Golf! [Wii]](/screens/138001/185468-1-1.jpg)
![Screen Update: LEGO Batman: The Videogame [Xbox 360]](/screens/138041/185528-1-1.jpg)
