Even given the lack of good new releases on Vita lately, I get the feeling that a lot of people overlooked SPL/Alawar’s Treasures of Montezuma Blitz. I can kind of understand why: at first glance it just looks like a nothing-special freemium match-three puzzle game.
Yes, at a basic level, TOM Blitz is a simple match-three game, in the same vein as Bejeweled. You have a minute in which to collect as many points as possible by matching gems, with your final score appearing in a weekly leaderboard with your PSN friends.
As you play levels, you also earn experience, which means you can level up and unlock new slots for totems, bonuses and crystals, which you use to ‘rent’ the aforementioned bonuses.
[drop2]Playing a game with no bonuses or totems selected won’t cost you any crystals (but will cost you a heart, which regenerate over time), but you’ll really struggle to get a decent score.Using bonuses and totems (which can be upgraded to be even more useful) will cost you jewels, which can be earned by playing, by levelling up, by winning a tournament, from the daily scratchcard, and by buying them in packs from the PlayStation Store.
On top of that, you can share and receive half of any winnings via Near.
It sounds complicated – and it is.
Today, a new (and extensive) update has been released for the game that really changes things – for the better.
The gap between levels is smaller (which stops it feeling as grind-y), there are automatic hints after a few seconds, bonuses appear from the start of the game rather than appearing as it goes on, friend’s levels appear in the leaderboard, and there’s a play button on the results screen to go straight to the next match.
But those aren’t the biggest changes. In the original game, there was either a lot of trial and error (or using a guide) in the first few games until you could really figure out what everything did.
Now, there is a more extensive tutorial, better in-game hints, tips on loading screens, a redesigned UI for ease of use, as well as more information available on all the gameplay elements by tapping on their icons throughout the game. I’ve had a play, and it really does clear up a lot of confusion that at least I had when I first picked up the game.
This update doesn’t suddenly make the game Vita’s first 3D next0gen blockbuster interactive experience. But TOM Blitz is a damn good puzzle game, with plenty of depth for those who stick with it. Oh, and did I mention that the update added trophies?
TOM Blitz is free for Vita from the PlayStation Store, so give it a download, and if you don’t like it you haven’t lost anything.
Thanks to teflon for the help with this article.
Origami Killer
Just added the trophies in the forum not so long ago too :) Love this game, and liking the update :)
element666
Might try this again, I couldn’t get into it. But everyone says how good it is, so i’ll give it another whirl :)
colmshan1990
Awesome!
I already play this loads (usually just before I head into a bigger game like Uncharted or Modnation as it’s only about 10 mins), now there’s trophies and other additions?
:D
Origami Killer
its easier to score points too, I had 2.5 mil on my first go since the update :D
colmshan1990
Yeah, saw that…
How do you keep managing these things?!
Anyone having trouble with some of the trophies? I haven’t recieved the trophy for scoring 1,000,000, Levelling Up or the 10x Multiplier yet even though I’ve done them all.
Should I delete it and reinstall? Will that lose me all my crystals and hearts?
TSBonyman
Nice update, haven’t spent a cent on this yet but love dipping into it daily. I still can’t figure out what exactly i’m supposed to be doing when the screen goes dark – you’re supposed to rub the back and then match cleared gems on the front – but i find it’s a bit fiddly – like trying to rub your tummy and pat your head at the same time! :?
Cutter.T
The only annoying thing is that you can only play a few times a day without paying, it would be nice if you could purchase a ‘pass’ which let you have access to the game all the time with a single entry cost.
JoshHood
Well, it depends on your level, but in the early stages it only takes five minutes to regenerate a heart. I’m at level eight and it still only takes about 15 minutes. I find I run our of jewels before hearts.
TSBonyman
I would have preferred to pay for the game too, as it is they’re not making any money from me! :/
colmshan1990
You can play most of the day, just not all at once.
Although now even that restriction has been removed.
PA_Kid
cant believe I’m saying it about a fremium game, but it is a lot of fun and gets a bad rap
At level 11 by the time i play through 5 hearts, i have one regen. Its a great game to pick up and put down.
Currently my best score is around 215k but i average more like 150k each tourney. No idea how people get a million+
Jakster123x
Enjoyed this game before but this is awesome!
Thought that Sony didn’t allow free games to have Trophies? Hmm…
PA_Kid
Is this update available everywhere now? I am in the US an not seeing the option to update from the startpage
Erroneus
Not available in Scandinavia :|
cam the man
Missed this game, downloading now.