Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition is a match-3 puzzle-RPG hybrid developed by Infinity Plus Two and published by 505 Games. It serves as a comprehensive remaster and collection of the original Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, which first launched in 2007 and kickstarted the series by blending match-3 puzzles with RPG elements. It incorporates expansions like Revenge of the Plague Lord and content from the 2019 remaster The Legend Returns, positioning it as a definitive edition that revives and expands the foundational entry rather than advancing the storyline like sequels such as Puzzle Quest 2 or the more recent Puzzle Quest 3.
The Story ...
The game's narrative centers on a fantasy epic where players select a hero class and embark on a quest to defend the kingdom of Etheria from monstrous threats and villainous forces. Key plot points involve uncovering ancient evils, allying with companions, and restoring balance to the land through battles and strategic conquests. While the story isn't overly complex, it provides a solid framework for progression, with side quests adding depth through character backstories and world-building lore.
The Gameplay ...
In terms of modes, the primary offering is the single-player campaign, which unfolds across a world map filled with quests, battles, and exploration points. This mode features a mix of main storyline missions and optional side quests that branch out for additional challenges. There's also a citadel-building mode where players construct and upgrade a personal stronghold, unlocking special abilities and resources. Battle modes include standard one-on-one encounters against AI opponents, as well as specialized siege scenarios for capturing cities and expanding territory. A research mini-game allows for capturing and studying enemies to learn their spells, adding a layer of experimentation.
Gameplay across these modes revolves around the core match-3 mechanic, where players swap gems on a grid to align three or more of the same color, generating mana to fuel attacks, defenses, or special abilities during turn-based battles. In the campaign, the loop involves navigating the map, engaging in fights to level up your hero, collecting loot, and advancing the plot. Each victory builds toward larger goals like defeating bosses or completing quest chains.
Citadel mode, alternatively, shifts focus to resource management, where matches in mini-games help forge items or train captured mounts for combat bonuses. Sieges emphasize strategic matching to overwhelm defenses, with the loop centered on chaining combos for massive damage while countering enemy moves. Overall, it's addictive, blending puzzle-solving tension with RPG growth.
Progress rewards players with a variety of goals and unlockables, such as new hero classes (including a brand-new one exclusive to this edition), over 40 additional items like weapons and artifacts, expanded spell trees, companions that provide passive buffs, and customizable mounts. Completing quests unlocks new areas on the map, while building up the citadel grants permanent upgrades like enhanced mana generation or spell potency, encouraging multiple playthroughs to experiment with different builds.
The Presentation ...
Visually, the game has been updated with 4K artwork on supported platforms like the PS5, giving the fantasy-themed grids, characters, and environments a crisp, modern polish without losing the original's charming, hand-drawn style. The graphic design leans into vibrant colors for gems and spells, with fluid animations for matches and explosions that make battles feel dynamic. The soundtrack features orchestral fantasy tracks with epic swells during intense fights and calmer melodies for exploration, remastered for clearer audio quality. For the Immortal Edition specifically, changes include gameplay tweaks for smoother balancing, integrated expansions that add dozens of new quests and enemies, and quality-of-life improvements like faster loading and refined controls adapted for the DualSense controller's haptic feedback.
The Verdict ...
Ultimately, Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition delivers a nostalgic yet refreshed experience that's packed with content, offering hours of engaging puzzle-RPG hybrid gameplay at a budget-friendly price point. The depth of progression and strategic variety provide strong replay value, especially for those tweaking builds or chasing completions. It's a solid verdict for a timeless classic reborn, though it may feel familiar to series veterans without massive innovations. This game is best suited for fans of match-3 puzzles who enjoy RPG layers, casual gamers seeking addictive loops without steep difficulty, and newcomers curious about the genre's origins.
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