![Columns.mp4_snapshot_00.00.03_[2015.09.09_21.48.02]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/columns-mp4_snapshot_00-00-03_2015-09-09_21-48-02.jpg?w=660)
About the Game:
When I was a kid I did not have Tetris, of all things. Instead I had this crazy puzzle game on the Genesis called Columns which, as you may have gathered, involved falling columns of jewels. I remember the game being relaxing, and fun to look at with its big, colorful sprites. What I was particularly curious was how well the game would hold up, especially considering my ineptitude with falling blocks games...
Gameplay:
![Columns.mp4_snapshot_01.38.21_[2015.09.09_21.41.30]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/columns-mp4_snapshot_01-38-21_2015-09-09_21-41-30.jpg?w=660)
Columns of up to three different jewels fall from the top of screen until they set on the bottom or on top of another jewel. You can use the buttons to shift the order of the jewels in the column, but there are no rotations. Jewels disappear and you are award points when you match three or more horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Every so many points you'll gain a level and the fall-speed of the columns increases. That's basically the entire game. Normal starts you off with only four different colors to worry about, but as you increase the difficulty that number will increase up to six, making finding matches much harder.
![Columns 2.mp4_snapshot_12.03_[2015.09.09_21.41.52]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/columns-2-mp4_snapshot_12-03_2015-09-09_21-41-52.jpg?w=660)
Game modes are fairly basic, though any form of multiplayer at all is welcome. You have the standard versus mode, endurance and a sort of puzzle mode called Flash Columns. Not much in way of variety, but with a game like this I think all the bases are covered.
Presentation, Music and Sound:
As mentioned, the jewels are all large and brightly colored, and it must be a kid thing because my daughter sat and watched me play for a good 30 minutes, just like how I used to watch my parents with this game. Nothing really bad to be said of the graphics or UI, as they all do what they're supposed to do. Jewels are easily distinguishable and any information you'd need is readily available to you.
Music is good, while nothing too special. It's fitting, and relaxing, and frankly you sort of stop noticing it once you really start to get into a round. Sound effect, on the other hand, really stand out. Not for their quality, though they sound just fine, but because I recognize just about every sound from another Genesis game! Sometimes I'd get confused and think I was playing Castle of Illusion!
Fun & Relevance:
![Columns.mp4_snapshot_00.11.31_[2015.09.09_21.40.00]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/columns-mp4_snapshot_00-11-31_2015-09-09_21-40-00.jpg?w=660)
I still can't believe I lost myself in an hour and a half round of Columns... Now, sure, it was on Normal difficulty, but still. This really isn't my type of game and yet I just could not stop playing! It took spousal intervention just to get me to turn the game off... I didn't even get to enter my name for the high score...
It's easy to write Columns off as just another bargain bin falling block game, but for some reason it's the one game that EVERYONE who owned a Genesis remembers playing. I think that says something. I had a really good time with it, and it's a shame I can't get anyone in my family to play with me! I suppose haters are going to hate...
Review:
Gameplay:
![Columns.mp4_snapshot_00.00.03_[2015.09.09_21.48.02]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/columns-mp4_snapshot_00-00-03_2015-09-09_21-48-02.jpg)
![Columns.mp4_snapshot_01.38.21_[2015.09.09_21.41.30]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/columns-mp4_snapshot_01-38-21_2015-09-09_21-41-30.jpg)
![Columns 2.mp4_snapshot_12.03_[2015.09.09_21.41.52]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/columns-2-mp4_snapshot_12-03_2015-09-09_21-41-52.jpg)
![Columns.mp4_snapshot_00.11.31_[2015.09.09_21.40.00]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/columns-mp4_snapshot_00-11-31_2015-09-09_21-40-00.jpg)