Bejeweled Twist
- November 18, 2008
- PopCap Games, Inc.
Platform Tested: PC Genre: Board/Puzzle ESRB: E for Everyone I've been a Bejeweled fan since 2001, when the game was first introduced—so simple to play, so very engaging. Bejeweled Twist is the third generation of this popular puzzle game: Now you rotate groups of four gems to form rows of
"Bejeweled Twist" is a statistics-enabled puzzle game where players rotate groups of gems to create sets of three or more matches, making them disappear. The game features a variety of modes, including classic, challenge, and a "blitz" mode with leaderboards. Its innovative twist mechanic, distinct from typical match-three titles, sets it apart.
Reviews
- Bejeweled Twist offers a unique twist on the classic Bejeweled gameplay, requiring players to rotate gems instead of swapping them, which adds a new layer of strategy.
- The game features multiple modes, including Classic, Zen, Challenge, and Blitz, providing a variety of gameplay experiences that cater to different player preferences.
- The vibrant graphics and catchy soundtrack enhance the overall gaming experience, making it a nostalgic and enjoyable puzzle game.
- Many players experience significant technical issues, particularly with launching the game on modern systems like Windows 10 and 11, often resulting in crashes or failure to start.
- The game requires additional patches or modifications to run properly on newer hardware, which can be frustrating for users who expect a plug-and-play experience.
- Some players find the gameplay repetitive over longer sessions, and the reliance on the new mechanics may not appeal to those who prefer the traditional Bejeweled style.
- gameplay39 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Bejeweled Twist introduces a unique mechanic that enhances the traditional match-3 formula by allowing players to rotate four gems instead of swapping two, adding depth and strategic complexity. While some players may find the new mechanics initially challenging, they quickly become addictive and enjoyable, complemented by a relaxing soundtrack and various game modes. Overall, the game is praised for its innovative approach within the franchise, making it a standout title for both casual and dedicated players.
“A banger soundtrack, awesome aesthetic, and addicting gameplay make this the best iteration of the popular match-3 franchise.”
“Bejeweled Twist adds a new twist to the match-3 puzzle genre that comes in the form of a brilliant new game mechanic, while keeping the best of its predecessors.”
“Although the gameplay seems quite simple, there are many new mechanics introduced that add entire layers of strategy to the game.”
“Obviously this is a 'twist' on the standard Bejeweled gameplay; unfortunately, it's not strong enough to outshine or even compete with the original formula.”
“I just really hate the spin mechanic of this Bejeweled.”
“Redundant in gameplay with other match-3 titles.”
- music33 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in this game is widely praised for its catchy and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the upbeat and vibrant soundtrack, which complements the game's aesthetic and provides a soothing backdrop for casual play. While some find the music repetitive in certain modes, the overall consensus is that it stands out as one of the best features of the game, contributing significantly to its appeal.
“A banger soundtrack, awesome aesthetic, and addicting gameplay make this the best iteration of the popular match-3 franchise.”
“The music slaps.”
“Vibrant colors everywhere and a great soundtrack pumping in your ears.”
“The solution to this is simple: mute the game, open Spotify, and play whatever music you want.”
“-music is on the fence; endless mode is the same track looping, so it gets very stale after 5 minutes.”
“The music is a bit more upbeat and synthetic to match.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant colors, interesting transitions, and overall aesthetic appeal. However, some users report compatibility issues with modern graphics cards and limitations in adjusting settings, which detracts from the experience. While the visuals are generally considered good, they can become stale over extended play sessions, and certain features may not be accessible depending on hardware.
“With upgraded visuals and epic soundtracks, this is a game you definitely don't want to miss in the Bejeweled series.”
“Graphically, the game looks good with vibrant colors, and interesting fades and transitions between levels.”
“I really love this game; I can play for hours and still love it. It has great relaxing music and great graphics.”
“Good game, but unlike the original, many extra graphics items are missing.”
“Visuals get stale depending on how long of a session you go for in this game.”
“I've heard it has issues working with some newer graphics cards, however.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed level of replayability; while some players appreciate its endless mode and the inherent randomness that can provide varied experiences, others feel that once the main objectives are completed, the replay value diminishes significantly. However, many agree that it remains a solid choice for quick, casual play.
“Lots of replayability.”
“+ replay value, this game is a good go-to for wasting a few minutes on the endless mode.”
“And like all good puzzle games, it has unlimited replay value.”
“Once you've done that, there isn't a lot of replay value because you're largely at the mercy of randomness.”
“After completing the game, I found little incentive to play again, as the experience felt repetitive and predictable.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a notable absence of a traditional narrative, with some users expressing confusion or disappointment over the lack of a story in the game. The developer's stance reinforces this, suggesting that the gameplay experience is not centered around a conventional storyline.
“So, what's the story?”
“Developer: there's no story!”
“---{story}---”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some users report minor glitches that are easily fixable, others experience significant bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the stability issues seem to vary in severity, with some players finding it frustratingly buggy.
“This game used to be fun to me, but now it's super buggy.”
“It's buggy as hell!”
“Slight glitches but fixable easily, 2nd best Bejeweled game out there.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is viewed positively, as it avoids intrusive microtransactions common in mobile games, allowing for a pure gaming experience. However, there is criticism directed at EA for neglecting to optimize older titles for modern hardware, prioritizing profit from newer franchises instead. Overall, the game is appreciated for its lack of monetization issues, contrasting with the broader trend in the genre.
“Btw, this is the perfect Steam Deck game; it runs amazingly, and you get PC-quality Bejeweled on the go without gross mobile microtransactions.”
“The only problem with this is that you have to install a fan-made patch for this game to even get it working in the first place, because ignorant EA refuses to optimize and fix any of their older titles that were actually good to get them working on modern hardware in favor of monetization of their FIFA and Madden games, and other franchises that they have ruined with their greed.”
“A relaxing puzzle game before microtransactions rampaged this game genre.”
Critic Reviews
Bejeweled Twist
Platform Tested: PC Genre: Board/Puzzle ESRB: E for Everyone I've been a Bejeweled fan since 2001, when the game was first introduced—so simple to play, so very engaging. Bejeweled Twist is the third generation of this popular puzzle game: Now you rotate groups of four gems to form rows of
100%Bejeweled Twist review
70%NDS Review - 'Bejeweled Twist'
85%