Bejeweled, one of the most famous games in history has finally made its way to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Not only is the game available for these devices, it is made available with a few upgrades. The basic game is still there for those who prefer playing the classic game, but more modes have been added so that players can enjoy the game with a new twist to it.
About the Game
If for some reason, you haven’t had the chance to play Bejeweled, then you had better hurry up and experience one of the best and most successful games in history. Bejeweled started in 2001 and at that time, all a player could do was to swap gems so that a vertical or horizontal line of 3 or more gems is created. Players keep doing this until no more moves are left and the game ends.
In the iPhone and iPod Touch version of Bejeweled, the classic game is still available. In addition to the classic game, four more games have been added. These are: Butterfly, Zen, Diamond Mine, and Blitz.
The Gameplay
The classic game is still played the same way as the older version classic games. You line up 3 or more gems and they disappear. The gems above will fill the space of the gems that disappeared and you will have a new set of gems to line up.
Butterfly mode is a bit more challenging. Here you will have butterflies going to the top of the screen where a hungry spider is waiting for them anxiously. In order to save the butterflies, you will need to match the butterflies. There are also some special gems that can help you free the butterflies.
In Zen mode, players can play a never ending game to relax for as long as they want. The can adjust the audio levels, sit back or lie down, and just keep on playing to keep their minds off other pressing things in life.
Diamond Mine are for players searching for a little bit more excitement. The bottom rows of the screen are filled with earth and your task is to destroy the earth by creating matches adjacent to it. How does this make the game more exciting? Diamond mine has a time limit. You will need to destroy the earth within a set time limit. The faster you can think, the more successful you will be.
Blitz mode is where you can test your skills against your friends or some of the best players in the world. However, this mode can only be played on Facebook, MySpace, or on the official PopCap site. Blitz mode is similar to the classic game, but you only have a minute to form as many matches as you can. The more matches you create, the higher your points will be. The higher your points get, the bigger your chance of winning special prizes from PopCap.
User Interface
This is one of the simplest games to play. In order to swap the gems, point to the gem you want to swap and drag it the gem you want to swap it with. This game does not require any other special moves so it is very easy to master.
Graphics & Sound Effects
The graphics of Bejeweled are simply awesome. The retina display is smooth and easy on the eyes yet sophisticated enough to display awesome sets of colors and designs. The animations are also very smooth. When the gems explode, they really explode. The lighting is just perfect and transitioning from one level to another is greatly done.
The sound effects are also excellently chosen. You can listen to the background music while playing regular games, but when you’re in Zen mode, you are transported to a totally new audio adventure. You can choose from a variety of background music that will make you feel relaxed. There is the sound of a waterfall, the ocean, or the forest. The objective of Zen mode is to make you feel relaxed and the developers have taken the extra step to make sure you do so.
The Drawback
For a game as great as Bejeweled, it is kind of strange why Gamecenter is not made available. There are so many people addicted to this game and it would be nice to compare your achievements with those of others.
Conclusion
Bejeweled has certainly taken on a new form in the iPhone and iPod Touch version of the game. Though the classic game is still available, more modes have been added and the graphics and sound effects have been upgraded. This game is totally addictive and it is totally relaxing as well if you need the time to relax and get your mind off things.
Category: Games
Price: $0.99
Developed By: PopCap
Requirements: Requires iOS 3.1 or later
Compatible With: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad.
Other OS: Android, Facebook, BlackBerry
Our Rating: 
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