Puzzle Strike: Third Edition

Puzzle Strike: Third Edition is a deckbuilding game that uses cardboard chips instead of cards. I’ve always been a fan of deckbuilding games, but I’ve always found the shuffling to be a bit of a drag. So I was immediately intrigued by the idea of using chips instead. This game, as the description says, is like a puzzle video game like Puzzle Fighter or Tetris, and I found it incredibly fun. It’s a quick game to play, typically taking around 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for a quick game night with friends. The gameplay is very engaging, and I found myself getting lost in the strategy of it.

I’ve played this game with both 2 and 4 players, and I think it’s a great experience in either scenario. Each character has a different playstyle, and it's always interesting to see what new strategies emerge from each game. The game feels really balanced, and I’ve never felt like any character was overpowered. That being said, I do think the game is slightly more aimed at 1v1 situations.

The components are very well-made, and I’m confident this game will hold up well over time. The artwork is also very nice, even if it is a little bare since it has to all fit on the chips. The game is a bit pricey for what it is, but I think the high quality of the components and the gameplay justifies the cost. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys deckbuilding games, and even if you haven’t tried a deckbuilding game before, I think this is a good place to start.

I do want to mention a few points brought up in some of the reviews. Some reviewers mentioned the packaging, saying that it was difficult to unpack. They felt that the packaging was too tight, and the chip case was too big for the box. I can see how this would be frustrating, as I’ve experienced some of the same frustrations with packaging in other games. However, I do think that it's important to remember that these issues are ultimately minor, and they don’t detract from the quality of the game. The chips are high-quality, and the game plays well. In the end, I believe that the fun you’ll have playing this game far outweighs the minor annoyances of the packaging.