Gyromancer Preview, Media

IGN has conjured up a brief hands-on preview of Square Enix and PopCap’s Gyromancer, as well as the first four screenshots from the puzzle/RPG hybrid.

Just like in Puzzle Quest, players move about from location to location on an overworld map and get into battles with monsters that are settled in a Bejewelled-style match three game. PopCap steps in to handle the puzzle part and modeled it after Bejewelled Twist so that players rotate four gems clockwise instead of swapping two at a time (an item can be used to reverse the flow of your spinner). Exposition is delivered via still art in cut scenes.

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Our hero, Rivel, has the ability to summon monsters. He can have three beasts with him at a time but can only take one into battle. Before hitting the gem field he’ll have to choose the right monster for the job. The beasts aren’t healed after a fight and they can perish, so managing your pack does take some strategy. There are over 50 monsters to be summoned, but only a few are available from the start. After a battle you’ll gain experience which leads to new beasts. In the early stages of the game we fought enemies like Cait Sith with a Power Beetle.

And if that isn’t enough, there’s a trailer over at WorthPlaying.