Overview
Selection of puzzle games using mahjong tiles.
You say...
This is a fun mahjong solitaire title based on the mahjong-themed manga of the same name. The gameplay here is like Shanghai and Shanghai II but with a twist. Instead of the tiles being stacked on top of each other, this game spreads the tiles into a 2D grid.
The player's objective is to find matches that can be linked by an open path that doesn't make more than one or two 90-degree turns. For example, two tiles that are next to each other can be matched and removed, two tiles that are on the same edge of the map, or two tiles that can be reached by making a path out of two 90-degree turns can also be matched and cleared. It is fairly easy to learn once you get the hang of it and is quite intuitive. Watching some gameplay on YouTube or similar is more than enough to learn the basic concept.
This title gets the name "puzzle collection" from the fact that there are several layouts that each have their own challenges, but the rules are consistent throughout each layout. Most layouts have tiles that are flipped facing down at the start of the round. These tiles must first be flipped up by matching adjoining tiles and then matched and cleared. This can be confusing because tiles don't always flip when making a nearby match. Tiles that are flipped down can be used as pathways to match and clear distant tiles. Once they flip up, however, they will block potential match pathways. Generally speaking, layouts with more flipped-down tiles are more difficult. The basic layout has flipped-up tiles only.
Games are timed (with the exception being in training mode where the player can choose no time limit) and are between 240 and 260 seconds, typically. Matching flower tiles will add 60 seconds to the timer, or 120 seconds per game. Each match has a dora tile which will be presented to the player at the beginning of the match. Matching the dora provides a bonus. Matching season tiles will give the player an extra hint point. Pressing the select button will allow you to get a hint which will show a match that you can clear right away. The matches are presented by characters from the manga series. Sometimes you will get the octopus character which will result in no match shown but your hint point deducted anyway.
When the player has reached a point where no more matches can be made, the game will flip over one unflipped tile for you. If the player again runs out of matches, the game is over. You will then need to decide to either replay the level (the first option) or reshuffle the tiles (the second option). Training mode allows the user to choose any available layout and time limit (or no time limit). The campaign mode has fun animated sequences in between each level that show the story of the game.
The opening menu of the game can be very confusing as pressing the wrong button will send you to an animation and then back to the main menu repeatedly.
Overall this is a very fun solitaire style game that does not require any knowledge of how to play Japanese richii mahjong. The graphics are simple but enjoyable and fun. There is only one in-game song but it is also fun and nostalgic of 90s CD games from Japan. Characters will make comments as you match tiles and the voice lines are pretty amusing but could annoy some players. If you enjoy games like Shanghai and other mahjong solitaire titles, you will enjoy this game.
Robert DeVoe |
