Bejeweled 2 Review

This sequel plays a lot like the original. In fact, the main menu’s first choice is to play “Classic” mode. The other two choices are “Action,” a timed mode, and “Puzzle.”

All of them incorporate the same gameplay that made the original such a hit. You’re presented with a two-dimensional grid of shimmering gemstones. There are six types of stones, each with its own distinctive color (yellow, red, orange, purple, blue, and white) and shape. Your goal is to connect a string of three or more stones, tic-tac-toe style. (Well, with one limitation - diagonal connections are not allowed.) With any move, you can swap two adjacent stones’ positions - but if and only if the swap makes a string of three or more identical stones. Doing so scores a base amount of points, removes the connected stones, and causes more stones to fall into the grid from above. Creating a string that triggers more strings among the newly-fallen stones, or swapping two stones that simultaneously make two strings, adds exponentially more points to your score.

Stone Bonus Cajones

In addition, making strings of more than three stones is to your advantage.

Swapping two stones to create a string of four stones results in the formation of a power gem. The power gem takes the space of the swapped stone that made the four-string, and it’s of the same type as the swapped stone. Connecting three or more regular stones in a string with the power gem will cause the power gem to explode spectacularly, destroying a number of adjacent gems and scoring a satisfying round of points.

A hyper cube is born when you connect five stones of the same type. Ironically, the hyper cube is an animated shiny sphere; it takes the place of the stone you swapped to create the five-string. To trigger its powerful goodness, simply swap it with a gem of a color you have carefully chosen. Doing so causes all stones of that color to be zapped - with a shower of electrical effects - from existence, scoring you multiple bonus points.

Other Features

The game shows you your score and the current level at the top left. A prominent hint button tempts you to ask for suggestions on making matching swaps. Clicking on it (in Classic and Action modes) brings up a small white pointer arrow that indicates a spot where a swap can be made.

In Action and Classic modes, a bar across the bottom shows your progress. In Classic mode, it shows how much further you have to go to get to the next level. Asking for a hint costs you some forward progress. In Action mode, it shows both your progress and how much time you have left before the game ends. Making a successful swap gains you some time; asking for a hint costs you time. If you fill the bar, you move to the next level.

Puzzling

There’s no bar in the Puzzle mode. Instead of the usual random grid of gems, Puzzle levels are carefully constructed stacks of stones that present brain-twisting challenges. Sometimes you must swap stones in specific sequences to free other stones or to create power gems or hyper cubes that will help you clear the puzzle. When all the stones on the board have been eliminated, the puzzle’s solved.

Since this is a review of the free online mode, it’s important to note that the Puzzle mode is very limited online. There are only seven puzzles to test your brain, and the first three are ridiculously easy.

Final Hints

A few tips for the new gemseeker: In Action mode, it’s tough to catch up and win a level after you fall short on time. Try to keep a minimum level of stone matching to stay alive while you wait for a sequence of stones that will push you over the top. And timing your matches can make a difference. Because the timer-and-progress bar is decrementing as you work, it’s better to make a quick rush for the finish at the end rather than a slow steady press. There’s a pause button in Action mode, but - curses! - it also hides the screen.

Avoid taking in-game hints, of course.

Try to make power gems and hyper cubes in easier levels and leave them unused until harder levels. They carry over. If you’re feeling confident, you might as well linger near the end of the level to scope the board for possible power gem and hyper cube opportunities. Also, for power gems, because you generally consume all the nearby gems of that type when building them, they’re usually easier to string up and use in the next level anyhow.

You’ll also find that you play much better when well-rested. Believe it! Happy gemsmithing!