Galactrix takes the Bejeweled-style puzzle formula of Puzzle Quest and sends it through space. Infinite Interactive built a campaign set across star systems, and D3 Publisher published it for PC, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360’s Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 3’s PlayStation Network. The result is a game that earns a 7.1 out of 10.
Trailer, via PromoTrailer.
The Hex Grid
Tiles are now hexagonally shaped instead of square, and gravity matters. Matches made in orbit drop downward. In open space, new tiles come from the direction of the player’s last move. The change alters how matches form, since a tile’s neighbors shift depending on where it sits.
Travel Across Systems
Unlike the original Puzzle Quest, Galactrix sends players across dozens of planetary systems linked by jump gates. The campaign follows a novice pilot serving the MRI, one of four megacorporations competing for control of the human empire. New crew members join the player’s ship along the way, each bringing special abilities tied to weapons, resources and diplomacy.
The Diplomacy System
D3 Publisher promised a diplomacy system and a commodity system, plus the ability to collect, customize and build ships. That promise shapes the campaign’s outer layer, giving the space setting more weight than simple puzzle-to-puzzle travel.
Modes and Content
Galactrix offers a full-featured campaign, online multiplayer for 2 to 4 players, and downloadable content. The extra content includes:
- Ships
- Items
- Plans
- Planets
- Factions
- Missions
Platforms Compared
| Platform | Format |
|---|---|
| PC | Microsoft Windows |
| Nintendo DS | Handheld cartridge |
| Xbox 360 | Xbox Live Arcade |
| PlayStation 3 | PlayStation Network |
What Holds Back the Score
The core puzzle loop is solid, but it rests on a thin framing. The campaign leans on familiar RPG mechanics without fully committing to them. The diplomacy and ship-building systems are promising ideas that don’t get enough room to matter.
Galactrix is a competent, steady evolution of a proven formula, not a bold reinvention. Its best moments come when the puzzle and the story meet, and those moments are frequent enough to justify the trip.
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