May 2016
'Azkend 2: The World Beneath'—a title that sounds like the intro text of a cheesy adventure novel you’d skip over to get to the action. Released by the Finnish wizards at 10tons Ltd, this match-three puzzle game is practically begging to be put on the mantle next to its more illustrious relatives like 'Bejeweled' and 'Candy Crush'. But does it actually deserve the spot? Or will it just collect dust and become a cautionary tale? Let’s dive into the puzzling depths of Jules Verne-inspired adventures and find out!
The gameplay is all about matching tiles—hexagonal ones, to be more precise. Gone are the days of simple squares; these bad boys are here to bump up the complexity! Your main character, Jules, is caught in a mysterious land (possibly where all mismatched socks go), and the goal is to escape one exasperating location after another using the magic of tile matching. With a staggering 60 levels to complete, your task is to connect symbols through brain-bending challenges, collecting power-ups and pondering why you decided to invest your time in yet another match-three game. But don't forget about storytelling! The game uses Jules' journal entries to keep you invested. Nothing says gripping gameplay quite like reading someone's personal diary. In good news, if you’re bad at puzzles, the game gives you the option to shuffle tiles, because nothing screams “I’m a genius!” like needing to resort to a random shuffle to clear a level.
When it comes to visuals, 'Azkend 2' isn’t breaking any new ground, but it does have a charm that’ll remind you of a colorful, enchanted forest—if enchanted forests were filled with hexagonal tiles instead of trees. The graphics are pleasant enough, featuring vibrant colors and whimsical animations. However, be prepared for moments when you’ll find the backgrounds busier than a bee at a flower convention, making it a bit tricky to spot matchable tiles. But let’s face it, at this point, we’re really just here for the eye candy and the occasional dopamine rush!
'Azkend 2: The World Beneath' is a delightful little puzzle game that feels like an old friend who knows you a bit too well—comforting but not overly ambitious. It builds on the foundations of the original without shaking things up too much, which is both its charm and its curse. While it's ideal for casual gamers, those seeking a challenge may find their thirst unquenched. So, if you’re looking for something to pass the time while avoiding real-world responsibilities—like that laundry pile staring you down—this can be your guilty pleasure. But let's not forget: if you’re in the mood for something with a little more bite, you might want to look elsewhere. In the end, 'Azkend 2' earns a solid 7.5 out of 10 from me, which translates to ‘worth a play’ in gamer speak. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go match some tiles. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.
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