A Smash Hit

Every so often, after wading through several puzzles game that try to hard to be different, it's good for the soul to return to the puzzle genre's roots. By roots, I mean colored blocks. Colored blocks that when aligned just right, they vanish into thin air. Incadia is a fine representation of everything that you've come to love about puzzlers. From the falling blocks to the...well, the falling blocks! And that's the beauty of this game. It doesn't try to be special or different, it just tries to be a solid, quality puzzle game. And in that respect, it passes with flying colors.

There are two game modes: Arcade and adventure. Arcade is the straightforward, jump-into-the-action mode that you would expect. Adventure mode takes you on a quest through the jungle to find the lost Temple of Incadia. This is where the game really shines. In adventure mode, not only is there a story to follow, but the gameplay is mixed up a bit in each level, which really helps keep it fresh. For example, in the first level there were random falling stones to contend with, and in the second level, only horizontal rows will work. You can kiss your vertical rows goodbye.

Special Blocks

Aside from your standard colored blocks, there are a multitude of special things that drop from above. Here's a quick little rundown of some of the things you will encounter:

• Changeling: This multicolored block is considered wild and can be used with any color.
• Totem: Successfully constructing this three part statue will unlock the bonus round. You will be transported there at the end of the round.
• Row Buster: This dynamite-strapped piece will destroy an entire horizontal row when matched with blocks of the same color.
• Column Buster: Like the row buster, but destroys a vertical column.
• Crusher: This monster will destroy every block that shares it's color.
• Blocker Stones: Every puzzle game has some form of these annoying little guys. The only way to get rid of a blocker stone is with a buster block.

Bonus Round

The bonus round first appears to be simple and easy, but you'll quickly curse your computer as the clock runs down faster than you can build! There are holes in the background wall that must be filled, and the only way to fill them is to eliminate a row in front of them. Like I said, it seems simple, but it can get challenging very quickly.

Lasting Appeal

There are more than enough special elements in Incadia that will keep you playing for a long time. Both game modes have their benefits, and the variety that adventure mode throws your way makes it worth multiple plays. Things like the special blocks and the bonus round definitely keep the action exciting, and it throws enough of a curve ball your way to keep you from breezing through the game too fast.

As I said, the beauty lies in its simplicity. It's a solid throwback to the days of old, and it has just enough unique content to stand on it's own, without being a blatant copy of other puzzlers. Those looking for an old fashioned romp in the puzzle genre need look no further. This one's for you.