chronoSgear

Looks can be deceptive. Although chronoSgear is replete with anime characters and RPG-style cut-scenes, it's actually a thoroughly engaging hybrid of puzzle play and turn-based strategy.

The action takes place on what is referred to as the 'Battle Grid', with each combatant lining up his army at opposite ends. The core game mechanic revolves around a match-three system: linking together three units in a vertical line preps them for attack, while doing it horizontally creates a defensive wall.

Units are arranged in columns and can be picked up and deposited elsewhere. You can only select the unit at the back of the column, though. Additionally, you have a limited number of moves before your turn comes to an end.

In this respect, chronoSgear behaves very much like a puzzle title, forcing you to carefully plan you selections to ensure you get maximum efficiency from your army.

Once set to 'attack' mode, your units have to wait a set number of turns before charging headlong to the front line. If break through to your opponent's side of the battlefield (located at the top of the screen), damage is inflicted against your rival.

It's a simple setup, but one augmented by an array of in-depth features. For example, it's possible to remove units from the field of battle in order to create cleaner chains. Powerful Hero units are randomly deposited, which can be linked with standard troops for devastating attacks capable of turning the tide of battle.

As units fall in combat, your linking options become limited. Thankfully, it's possible to use one of your moves to call in reinforcements, which randomly flood in from the back of the grid.

Once you have a few victories under your belt, there's a marked improvement in the performance of your soldiers. Each unit type has a skill level, which is boosted by experience. Similarly, your own stats are improved in battle, pushing up your health and allowing you to take more punishment.

The match-three battles are merely one part of chronoSgear. Underpinning the turn-based action is a well-written, intriguing storyline featuring mafia-style gangs and a hero who is forced to watch his mother die during the game's opening prologue.

Between battles you're also be able to explore an top-down over-world complete with characters to chat up and shops to visit.

During these sections you're open to random and unpredictable combat encounters, but rather than being an annoyance these come as a blessing as they allow you to boost your statistics in preparation for some of the tougher boss fights.

While the game's fusion of puzzle and role-playing is a successful one, there are some niggles. Selecting a unit in battle is often difficult, given the thin nature of the columns. It's not unusual to lose a move because you've repositioned the wrong unit by mistake. Thankfully, there's an 'undo' command to make this a little less frustrating.

There's also a lot to take in at once and the in-game tutorial mode doesn't really explain things as well as it should. After a while the complexities being to sink in, but a more thorough training mode would have helped remove the initial feeling of befuddlement.

There's also an awful lot of level grinding to be done in order to defeat some of the tougher characters, but the depth of the battle system is enough to make each encounter cerebrally challenging.

Should you feel that your brain isn't getting enough of a workout then you can hop into the Quick Game option, which allows you to play against a friend. It’s restricted to just one device, although the turn-based nature of the gameplay means this isn't too much of a problem.

Combing two different game styles can sometimes result in noble failure, but chronoSgear gets things right. If you're a puzzle fan after something with a bit more depth or a role-playing fanatic who craves more a more involving battle system, this is well worth checking out.