Pieces

What do the games like Panic! And WildSnake have in common? Well, nothing really, except that they both fall within the vaguely defined boundaries of the puzzle genre. And while puzzlers grow more and more diverse and inventive, Atlus has made its mark by livening up a plaything that's stood the test of time: the jigsaw puzzle.

Pieces Jets you pit your puzzle-solving abilities against a human or computer opponent, racing to see who can fill in all the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle the fastest. A variety of special items - some help you, some hinder your challenger - fuel the competition and keep the game from being as simple as it may first appear.

Computer opponents become increasingly more difficult with each passing stage, which consists of a race to complete three puzzles. Handicaps can be implemented to even things up when two humans square off, and a jigsaw mode (along with a multi-player adapter) lets up to five players work at a puzzle simultaneously.

Adjustable difficulty and simple controls make Pieces a breeze to jump into, and the game's challenge and wide selection of puzzles keep you attached. The only drawback is that once you've become familiar with a puzzle, it's much less fun to complete when you come across it again. While the game is not as relaxing as working an actual Puzzle - there is nothing relaxing about Pieces - it provides an entertaining alternative for those rainy days.

If you like spending hours putting jigsaw puzzles together, then you're gonna bye this game! While its fast action isn't exactly as relaxing as the old standby, this is a game the whole family can get into for hours of fun!

Using jigsaw puzzles, Pieces is an interesting variation on the standard puzzler theme.

One or two players race to completely assemble a series of jigsaw puzzles. In Jigsaw mode, players race the clock to assemble larger puzzles.

The challenge varies. In the Hard mode, strategy is key as you use power-ups to stop your opponent. Manipulating the pieces is an easy point-and-click operation, and Pieces is mouse compatible.

The graphics are similar to other puzzler games, and the 64 puzzles have nice variety. It would be great, however, to see this game as a CD with bigger puzzles. Pieces is a nice variation in the endless stream of Tetris clones. It leaves you with a pieceful, easy feeling.