There are a few times when I really wish my old review website was still functional I am pretty sure I reviewed the original Jewel Master: Cradle Of Egypt on PC a few years ago (or at least a game very similar to it). Much of this is familiar, and for a good reason. The basic premise is a tried and true “match 3” puzzle formula. Here players match various resources to collect and then build up various buildings which will allow greater resources and ultimately build up an empire.
In typical match 3 gameplay, players will slide one item on the board to match up with two or more like items. These will then disappear making room for other items to fill in and create more possible matches. The board is filled with colored tiles which will only be cleared by having a match done on them. Instead of making a specific number of matches or matching so many of a specific item players need to get matches in every colored section of the playing field.
At times the layout can feel as if these were built specifically to work against the player. Sometimes there are chains blocking the whole playing field. Players then need to match specific items on top of the chained matching item to break the chain and fill in the rest of the playing field to get that cleared.
Instead of jewels or animals or whatever, in Jewel Master: Cradle Of Egypt 2 players will match up things like bread, wood, money, etc. By collecting enough of the right resources a building will become available. This is the game’s “story” has to do with the player building an empire. When enough resources are gathered the building can be purchased and constructed. Players are then given a sliding puzzle of the building. But players can skip this if desired. There appears to be no advantage to completing the sliding puzzles.
Power-ups to help with the puzzles are present. These include taking out certain tiles on the playing field or adding more time to complete the puzzle. These will certainly help in the more difficultly laid out playing fields.
A couple of alternate modes of play are also available rather than the standard Adventure Mode which is the progressive puzzles and city building. There’s Tournament Mode which allows for players to go back and play through any previously cleared board and Blitz Mode which is a timed game and can offer up a decent challenge.
For a 3DS title, the use of 3D is laughable. All of the playing is conducted in the bottom screen, not the top 3D screen. What we get are static images on the top screen.
Still, despite the issues I have with Jewel Master: Cradle Of Egypt 2 I had fun playing it. I happen to like puzzle games, so that may have something to do with it. If you’re looking for something to do with your kids’ 3DS while it is taken away from them, this will fit the bill.