Puzzle Quest 2 Preview

The editors at Game Revolution have finally conjured up their own preview of Puzzle Quest 2 based on what they saw of the game at this year's Game Developers Conference. An excerpt, as usual:
Puzzle Quest 2 returns to the rectangular gridded playfield, requiring players to match like-colored gems, but different rules are in play this time around. Gold and experience points are now acquired after the conclusion of a battle. A new color (gem) of mana, purple, has been introduced, along with Gauntlets that can be matched to earn action points and activate any weapons that the player may have equipped. The damage-dealing skull icons are back, naturally, and in order to use that recently-acquired sword, you'll first need to hit the proper number of Gauntlets, determined on a per-weapon basis. Of course, the barbarian class can wield dual weapons, two-handed bastard swords, etc., but the enemy is also capable of equipping weapons and knocking you on the head with them.

Meanwhile, characters can utilize item slots for shields, weapons, potions, and the like, as well as four slots for armor. Later in the game, pickups can be used to upgrade armor and weapons. Clever incorporated game challenges abound: The tutorial teaches you to literally (fight) a fire, taking care not to match red gems, which actually fuel the blaze; battering down a castle door takes the form of dealing damage to it in the usual PQ fashion.