Written: 12.28.06 Acquired: 10.3.06 Status: Cart only Price: $10.81
Publisher: Den'Z
Released: 2.10.95
Developer: Metro
Scarcity: 4
DHARMA DOUJOU approaches the puzzle genre with a fresh take. Instead of descending, pieces are stationed on the screen. You must eliminate all like-pieces. Using a mallet, you hammer one piece at a time off the playing field and onto the bottom screen. ONLY those on the far left are applicable. At the bottom the match-making occurs, thereby eliminating the possibility of a chain reaction. If a match doesn't take place, the pieces simply go to the bottom of the well, bumping everything up
You lose by:
The baddie reaching the top and cutting the rope
... Or by letting your pieces reach the barrier line up top
The main game consists of a baddie trying to reach the top before the well is cleared
Successful matches momentarily stun the baddie, giving you precious breathing room
Later, four like-pieces are required to form a successful match, not just three
This map highlights your arduous quest
In addition to the main game there are several others, 2- Player, Endless and Puzzle. The endless mode drops a new stack occasionally. Fall behind and kiss it good-bye
In the puzzle mode you have a set move count to line up the pieces as the old man wishes. Matches are removed for obvious reasons
Here you have 2 moves. First knock the cats down
1 move left -- now do the red ones
HURRAH! Look at the little fella jump for joy, awwww
The later puzzles get much tougher, good luck!
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Dharma, in my opinion, involves more logic than those standard falling piece puzzlers. Why? You constantly have to weed out the best method to set up matches. Sure you do that in the others, but it's different here. Believe me, it's a lot harder than it may sound. Tired of formulaic puzzle games? Looking for something different? Then be sure to check out Dharma Doujou
