Magical Drop 2

There are really only two rules when making a successful puzzle game. Keep the game as simple as possible, and make the game simple. Magic Drop is a simple enough game, but feels kind of tired.

I love puzzle games, I really do. I have had many a good night playing games like Tetris, Puzzle Bobble, Devil Dice, and even Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo ... and even though Magic Drop is as simple as these games are (heck, it's almost a reversed Puzzle Bobble), but still isn't a lot of fun. It's a heck of a lot more fun than Money Puzzle Exchanger, sort of this game for bankers, but still doesn't even come close the aforementioned games.

The theme is simple enough. You pull colors from the top, and then try to match them with at least two more like colors. But don't do it diagonal. Or horizontal. It's really all about the vertical in Magic Drop 2. But then, that makes a lot of sense. In a way this game mimics every thing good about puzzle games (cute graphics, appealing game play, addictive two player mode, and simple game play), but doesn't really innovate on the theme.

There are two modes of play, a Vs and a regular, and there are a few difficulty levels. But then again, I am a little confused by why a puzzle game should have a difficulty, but at this point I could care less. The Vs mode is interesting, and I must admit it's more fun, in my opinion. There is fun animation that AMLOST makes the game worth playing. Plus the spell system, though not entirely thought out and kind of confusing, is a welcome addition But hey, it's not worth the $200 they wanted, and since you can pick up most of the GREAT puzzle games for mere pennies, this game just feels tired.

An interesting parting note, the game wasn't translated for many "other systems", and besides the usual Neo Geo Pocket Color version, the game has kind of passed away. Night.