Azkend Review

Azkend is a puzzle game for the Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad in which you will follow a path through a mountainous region solving puzzles as you go. In the basic sense you'll be charged with trying to play a matching game with hex shaped pieces. Your objective is to turn all the hexes blue and then have the item that will appear fall off the bottom of the level, do that and you can advance. Do that really well and you'll gain a star rating for the level. 

Graphically this is a very pleasing game. The pieces all have a distinct enough look to them that they won't easily be confused with one another. The layout of the game utilizes all the space, but doesn't make the screen look crowded. There's also, basically, I spy section when you hit temples on your path. This is where you'll see images that you'll have to spot in the picture that you brought color back to by defeating previous levels. There's also the different talismans with all their different abilities that all have a very polished look to them. 

The music of the game as a kind of oriental monk thing going on, and definitely stands out but not in a way that hurts the game. The sounds also fit the game, as long as you're not playing at a blaring volume it complements the actions being taken in the game, as well as notifies you when you've matched enough to do something special.

The controls of the game are really easy, all you're going to have to concern yourself with is touching one of the tiles and then sliding your finger across adjacent ones that match that design. If you tap on the stop watch it will pause the game.

There's two modes to the game there's the adventure mode where you'll be journeying from point A to point B, unlocking the path as you go. You'll also be unlocking the talismans as you go as well. You'll find that different talismans might help you on different boards. Remember that if you hit a board that gives you problems. You'll have to race the clock on each board, and there will be some obstacles in front of you. Some boards will be shaped differently, there will aslo be tiles frozen, locked up, or tarred over. You'll have to take all of this under consideration. There will also be tiles that you'll have to make matches on twice before they turn blue. Only when all the tiles are blue will your prize show up for you to try to get to the bottom of the level before time runs out. If you can complete the level with 50% or more of the time remaining you'll get the star for that level. 

Now as part of the Adventure Mode you'll notice that every time you reach a temple you'll have to play an iSpy game. This, I have to say, is the weakest part of the game. I understand that it gives the player of the game something to change it up, but the images were never difficult to find, and often repeated. You'll have to find seven of them, shown one at a time, to advance and gain a bonus. 

Finally there's the survival mode, that is locked initially, where you'll have to defeat wave after wave trying to gain stars with just that specific talisman. This will definitely get your mind thinking for the adventure mode if you find that you're getting stuck. With the wave refresh you'll find that you'll spot matches quicker after a while. 

Overall this game is a good game to have, its quick, and its addicting. I will be honest and say that once I picked it up I couldn't stop until I had gone all the way through my journey. If you're looking for a puzzle/matching game, that takes some quick thinking and skills, and a bit of story, you're definitely going to want to check this game out. I give this game an 8.8 out of 10.

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