Review of Bejeweled 3

http://www.popcap.com/games/bejeweled3/pc 

I don't think this game requires an introduction, nearly everyone has played some form of Bejeweled. What makes Bejeweled 3 better? I'll give three reasons.

1. It's 8+ different forms of Bejeweled rolled into one game.

Classic Mode

This is good old classic Bejeweled. The game ends when there are no more moves. One feature that was new to me was the Instant Replay button. After a great series of moves pressing Instant Replay replays the moves in slow motion.

Poker Mode

This was the best variation of Bejeweled I have played so far! There is a good bit of strategy involved because you are always thinking of the next hand. Every so often a skull is placed over a hand. If a round ends with a hand that has a skull over it, a coin is flipped. You have a 50/50 chance of the game ending.

Zen Mode

Zen mode is all about relaxing the mind. Its basically Classic mode with a number of addition "zen" audio options. However the biggest feature for Zen mode is the fact that the game never ends. The new gems ALWAYS bring in new moves.

            

Butterflies Mode

In Butterfly mode the goal is to keep the butterflies from reaching the top. Using them in a group sets them free. If one reaches the top, a spider is waiting to eat it and end your game.

Lightning Mode

This is a speed round. Just watch the video...

Ice Storm Mode

Ice columns continue to rise your job is to knock them back down.

Diamond Mine Mode

In Diamond Mine you "dig" by finding sets against the ground.

Quest Mode

Quest mode is a combination of 40 different mini games. Most of them are slight variations of the modes above. My favorite quest mode was Balance. Watch the video below to see a bit of Balance mode.

2. The graphics are amazing.

Did you watch the videos?

3. It saves your game when you quit.

This feature makes it a great game when you only have a few minutes to play. At a number of airports I flipped open my laptop and played for 40 minutes and was able to pick up again at the next airport.

Options

Not a lot of options for this game. Running at Max resolution with Animated Background was beautiful and caused no lag.

High Scores, Badges, and Stats

High scores for all the major game types is great for the family computer. The different types of game play may allow multiple people to have high scores in different modes at the same time.

Who doesn't love badges? A number of these take a fair about of luck. (Get a 15x column combo in Ice Storm Mode)  Others require nothing more than time and patients. (Use 400 Hypercubes)  The one that was toughest for me was the "Annihilator." To receive this badge you must match two Hypercubes together.

I love stats in a game. This one could go deeper. Its counting all kinds of stuff for the badges. I wish it would show all those numbers here.

I have been playing this game off and on for a few months now. For a $20 game its worth every dollar. This is far more than just another Bejeweled game. I hope you enjoyed the videos and I hope they helped in your decision on whether or not to buy this game. If you do end up buying it, post your feelings in the comments below.