Jewel Quest

Infobox VG
title = Jewel Quest


developer = iWin
publisher = iWin
released = PC (March 8, 2006)
genre = Puzzle
modes = Single player, Multiplayer
platforms = PC, Macintosh, Xbox 360 (XBLA)
media = Download, Flash
input = Keyboard, Mouse and Gamepad
distributor = Various
series = Jewel Quest
designer =
engine =
version =
ratings = ESRB: Everyone (E)

Jewel Quest is an Indiana Jones-inspired puzzle game created and published by iWin. First for PC, and later it has been redeveloped for the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade. iWin also released three sequels entitled Jewel Quest 2, Jewel Quest Solitaire and Jewel Quest 3.

"Jewel Quest" was released on March 8, 2006 and costs 800 Microsoft Points ($10 USD). The game can be found in the Puzzle and Word section on the Xbox Live Arcade. It can also be accessed via iWin's website.

Basic Match 3 Puzzle

Jewel Quest is a 'match 3' puzzle played on an 8 X 8 grid filled with various tokens, eg. Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, Gold Coins, and Skulls. The player may swap any 2 adjacent tiles, as long as it results in making 3 or more of a kind in a row or column. When this occurs, those tiles disappear and tiles above fall into the gaps. If this results in another 3 of a kind in a row, then these disappear etc until a stable situation is reached. Again the player may swap another 2 adjacent tiles etc.

Tiles falling into the top of the grid are generated randomly.

Whenever tiles disappear, the background grid positions turn gold. When the board is entirely gold, you progress to the next level. If you do not complete the board within a time limit, then you lose a life and must start the level again.

Slight variations on these rules make up the many levels of the game.

Story

Jewel Quest has 180 levels and is set within the Mayan culture.

Jewel Quest II has 180 levels, and after each level you advance along a map representing a journey in Africa. Every 5 or so levels the image behind the puzzle board changes. There is an accompanying story.

Scoring and Lives

When you match a set of tiles, you gain points based on the number of tiles matched and the number of "cascaded" matches that have occurred. (Matching special "curse" tiles costs points.)

When you run out of time on a level, or reach a point where there are no moves possible, you lose a life and must start the level over. If you run out of lives, your score is reset to zero but you are not forced to start the game over.

You are granted an additional life for every 50,000 points earned.

External links

* [http://www.iwin.com Oficial iWin Website]
* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/j/jewelquestlivearcadexbox360/default.htm "Jewel Quest" site on Xbox Live Arcade]
* [http://www.videogametalk.com/review.php?ID=708 VGT review of Nintendo DS version of Jewel Quest: Expeditions]