I’m sure most opening paragraphs reviewing Puzzle & Dragons Z detail the unparalleled success the original Puzzle & Dragons had (and continues to have) on the iOS and Android platforms, however I’m more concerned to how this translates to Nintendo 3DS. Not necessarily commercially (where sales data is said to be very favourable) nor necessarily to how the gameplay translates (after-all the dual screen smart device original is simply made for 3DS) but more to where a game as incredibly popular as it is directs this popularity to a new platform. With Capcom in the early 90’s with Street Fighter II each entry became more hardcore. Interestingly GungHo aim to replicate the simplicity of the original on 3DS and haven’t made a ‘hardcore’ P&D for those that have mastered the original.
Instead, added to Puzzle & Dragons Z is an RPG mode. Before detailing this I’ll try and quickly summarise the premise of the main game to those few that haven’t already played the original. P&D plays somewhat like Pokémon X Bejeweled where the top screen features dungeons packed with cute monsters that you battle Pokémon-y by playing the bottom screened Bejeweled-y puzzle game. It’s simpler to play than it is to describe and is incredibly addictive. The 3DS sequel maintains this simplicity but the added RPG mode looks like traditional Pokémon, or after X & Y maybe Youkai Watch is a better example. P&D Z begins like all similar RPGs with the teenager (male or female both choosable and character re-namable) awoken by their mother, then the typical meet your friends, go to the Ranger Headquarters and choosing a dragon egg. Everyday stuff.
The Headquarters also hosts a tutorial which basically eases the player in if s/he hasn’t played it on their iPhone. Leaving the headquarters the town is very much Youkai Watch-esque (in the ways Youkai Watch was very much Earthbound-esque) but quickly (spoiler alert!) breaks up due to an earthquake (I’m guessing the earthquake is manipulated by some Satanic looking dudes but my Japanese doesn’t stretch this far!) and your mission is to go through several worlds all featuring many individual dungeons, defeat all the dragons and monsters in order to receive a jigsaw piece to re-piece the town map. Levelling up is achieved via battling and grinding is sometimes necessary (but unlike many RPGs, seldom becomes a chore) as despite beginning incredibly easy initially the difficulty curve thankfully increases adding to the challenge.
Control takes place via stylus for the puzzle part but this is incredibly natural. In the RPG mode travelling from the town to world map is achieved simply via the Y button with the B button used for the standard ‘dash’. Aesthetically P&D Z has a fantastic soundtrack. The graphics more solid than spectacular but some amazing character designs (both the protagonist and some almost Dragon Quest-y slimes are incredibly cute!) and there is an amazing video intro. The game isn’t just about grind: you receive eggs and chips throughout the game that you can use to evolve new dragons (the chips are the attributes with the egg being the colour). Dungeons aren’t always linear as many forks appear on the journey, often tactically placed, adding to replay value.
It’s difficult to find much at fault with Puzzle & Dragons Z: perhaps if you’ve pumped dozens of hours into the original this sequel doesn’t boast enough challenge, perhaps the fact the story doesn’t match up to the likes of Bravely Default is an issue, or perhaps paying over 4,000 yen for a game which is effectively very similar and free on your smart device is a problem. The fact is where-as Puzzle & Dragons -whilst admittedly excellent- never quite felt complete due to the IAP and the solitary puzzle mode; Puzzle & Dragons Z feels more of a complete and honest game, not only recommendable to Pokémon fans but to anyone wanting a game they can pick up in five minutes yet play for twenty to thirty plus hours.
8.5/10
Puzzle & Dragons Z. Releases on 12/12 for just ¥4,400 retail and ¥4,000 eShop. This game is gonna be million seller big! Check out the awesome demo on the eShop or the website at 
Japanese Nintendo 
