SHAPE GAMES MAHJONG ARTIFACTS PLUS
SHAPE GAMES MAHJONG ARTIFACTS SERIES
SHAPE GAMES MAHJONG ARTIFACTS PSP

You know it's just a matter of time before you'll win, a 'when' rather than 'if' conception of success. Unlocking additional merit badges won't take determined players long, so the replay value depends on your interest in knocking around longer than the Quest Mode in Classic and Endless sessions.Ĭalling this variety of mahjongg difficult is like calling Go Fish! difficult. We can only hope for updates to Mahjongg Artifacts: Chapter 2 that unlock more tile sets, backgrounds or play modes, but what is here will leave you feeling like you got your money's worth. Endless is comparable to Tetris in that you'll work your way down into a tower of tiles that is constantly being replenished. Classic especially lets you select each element of play, making it the most enduring play experience. Classic and Endless Modes take the story element away and allow you to customize your mahjongg experience considerably more. There are some neat mechanics to play that go beyond strict tile matching, but a good eye is generally all you'll need to win the day here. You'll have the chance to earn special emblems during Quest, and unlock a mystery using nothing more than your mahjongg skill. Quest Mode is the story-supported sequence of levels that takes you through each tile set and location (shown via background images/art during your play session) before coming to a close. This gives you a limited set of matches, and matches are what you'll need to find in order to clear the level. All tiles are in face-up position, but you'll only have access to the tiles that aren't wholly or partially covered. At the outset of each level, you'll be faced with a constructed board of tiles, built in a shape that may be a basic square or can be as exotic as anything you can imagine building using small, flat, rectangular tiles. The same basic concept of a 'meld' using particular tiles carries across both games, and is the basis for winning in Mahjongg Artifacts: Chapter 2. Discerning gamers will know that Mahjongg Artifacts: Chapter 2 is more accurately identified as a variation on Mahjongg Solitaire, rather than the main mahjongg game based on dealing tiles and building winning hands through special tile groupings. Needing an explanation to play mahjongg may seem strange, considering the game has enjoyed enduring popularity for over a hundred years in the west, and at least that long in China and the east. We liked the attempt to build some excitement on a rather staid and established game we didn't need the story to enjoy the game, but fans that hold their casual gaming entertainment to higher standards will appreciate having another layer beyond the tiles. Between levels in Quest Mode, you'll see a story developed in panel style, as in a comic- or manga-style treatment. We thought some of the layouts looked like well-known objects, including a few Pokemon, but we might just be imagining the resemblance. After you've cleared the main story, come back to customize your play experience by choosing a tile set, a background, and even a custom layout. The music and backgrounds are sublime and relaxing, a great complement to the laid-back style of mahjongg itself.

SHAPE GAMES MAHJONG ARTIFACTS PLUS

Themes include Asian and other exotic influences, plus a rather alien-themed tile set that plays into some thematic elements later in the game. We would always like more tile sets, but the few available here are nicely done. Players of this ancient tile game will understand that visual appeal is a big part of things, and Mahjongg Artifacts doesn't disappoint.

SHAPE GAMES MAHJONG ARTIFACTS SERIES

It's not important that you know where the series has been to enjoy this second installment it's mahjongg, for goodness sake! Clocking in at a teeny 21 MB (for comparison, Patapon 2 was what we would have previously considered a 'modest' 361 MB!), Mahjongg Artifacts: Chapter 2 is smaller than some of the gameplay videos or themes you might have downloaded in the past. One thing about the Minis series is that it will allow Sony's mobile gamers to finally tap into the rich fruity goodness of casual gaming, with a storage footprint that all but the stingiest memory-card budgets can support.

SHAPE GAMES MAHJONG ARTIFACTS PSP

We expect to see new campaigns making their way to at least fan mags soon, but players can go right now to download bite-sized games like Mahjongg Artifacts: Chapter 2 to their PSP or PSPgo systems. The launch of the new Minis series on the PlayStation Network has come without a huge amount of fanfare, at least in terms of general media advertising.

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