The PlayStation 2 library never ceases to amaze with its vast range of games. Sometimes, you set out expecting to find copper, and while you do find copper, you also stumble upon a tiny piece of gold. That gold comes in the form of Mawaza. This relatively obscure puzzle game has remained exclusive to Japan for two decades now, but the good news is that it offers an incredibly addictive experience that anyone can enjoy. Developed by Media Vision, the company behind the popular Wild Arms series, and published by Sony, Mawaza delivers a simple yet challenging concept that is easy to learn but difficult to master.
The premise of Mawaza is straightforward: progress through a series of levels by creating colorful triangles or square shapes using blue balls. These shapes must align with other shapes on the grid, causing them to explode and net you points. To succeed, you must detonate these shapes before the timer runs out. What’s fantastic about the game is it even allows for chained attacks - forming one massive shape that clears the board and racks up high scores in the process. Your created shape will continue to change color until it changes to white. The white color is the easiest way to clear out stages as fast as you can. While this may sound easy on paper, it’s not.
The difficulty ramps up as you progress, with later levels introducing traps designed to test your quick thinking and reflexes. For example, you might be busy lining up a series of shapes to collide with one another, only for a tiny red ball to disrupt your progress out of nowhere. You’ll need to be cautious, as these red balls are nothing but trouble and can derail your combo chains in an instant.
Mawaza offers three playable characters: Axcel, Winkle and D.D. Basically a kid, a girl and a panda. However, the character choice does not impact the overall gameplay, and the outcome remains the same regardless of whom you choose. There’s barely any story in this game as the focus is purely on the gameplay.
Visually, Mawaza features fairly standard graphics for a budget PlayStation 2 title. The graphics are cartoony and look okay. The game lacks flashy effects or jaw-dropping animations, but its minimalist design works well for its arcade-like nature. The static camera means there’s no ability to adjust your view, keeping the focus entirely on the puzzle-centric board.
The game’s controls are easy to master. The D-Pad or the left analogue stick moves the character, while the circle button lets you pick up a blue sphere and create a line that connects with nearby spheres to form a shape - whether it’s a triangle or a square. Once a shape is created, pressing the circle button again allows you to move it in specific directions to align with other shapes. Successfully aligning shapes causes a small explosion and earns you points as you progress. However, be cautious of red balls; if they collide with your shapes, they’ll destroy them, forcing you to redo the process. The triangle button on the controller, however, let’s you change the camera view to your liking.
Mawaza is an arcade-style puzzle game that can be completed in under an hour, depending on your performance. The game features eight levels, each divided into three phases. Completing a phase rewards you with additional seconds on your timer, while failing to finish the level in time results in your character falling to their doom. Thankfully, you can restart from the beginning of the level rather than the entire game. That’s a huge relief, especially since the late stages can be quite challenging.
The arcade nature of Mawaza makes it a perfect title for replayability. Its short length and addictive gameplay will keep you coming back for more. Before you know it, you’ll challenge yourself to beat your previous scores.
After completing the game, you’ll unlock new content such as “Extra Mode”, which lets you play and experience harder levels to test your reflexes and quick thinking.
Boot up the game, choose between the three characters, and jump into the action-packed puzzle matches of Mawaza. Its accessible mechanics and engaging design make it a must-try for any puzzle game aficionados. Despite releasing exclusively in Japan, this hidden gem can be enjoyed by nearly everyone.
