Puzzle Quest 2 Preview

The guys over at Pads & Panels have finally gotten around to posting a brief hands-on preview of Puzzle Quest 2 based on their time with the game during this year's PAX East. A snip:
On the puzzle side, the biggest change is that gold and experience gems are gone and replaced by purple gems to be matched during battles. Gold and experience is still earned, but is awarded at the end instead of earned during puzzle sequences. Another new gem is the (gauntlet.) Matching three or more of these gems earns mana for weapons or armor. This can be redeemed for instant damage or defense, instead of being used as magic as it was in the original Puzzle Quest.