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Henry Hatsworth & The Puzzling Adventure, as the title implies, is both puzzling and adventurous. I don't even mean that in the literal sense. Let me explain. I started playing on a whim and word of mouth. I wasn't a fan at first, finding it boring and simple. I'm now only 12% completed and am addicted. How is this possible? Why is it so puzzling? And what adventure led me from hate to love? Only by hitting the jump can you learn more...
New for the DS, Henry is two games in one; a side-scrolling platformer, and a puzzle game where you move around some blocks. It's Super Mario Bros. meets Puyo Pop or Pokemon Trozei. The top screen hosts the platforming, the bottom screen, the puzzles. You take turns swapping between screens, progressing in a level, than solving some puzzle in the limited time you've acquired by defeating enemies. Clearing parts of the puzzle gain you health and power-ups on the top screen. If too much time is played on either screen, there are consequences on the other. It's simpler than it sounds. Along the way there are additional moves and weapons you can use, as well as my favorite part of the game: TEA TIME! When one of your power meters fills up, you can activate Tea Time, which gives you a quick cut-scene of Henry having tea, then flying across a giant Union Jack and returning to the game as a giant indestructible robot with a cannon arm. This addition really fits the tone of the game. It's over the top cheesy and is unapologetic for it. With this attitude towards gameplay, it's a shame that the dialog and story are forgettable. Henry is searching for a golden suit, collecting piece by piece, and facing opposition from other explorers out to undercut him. The dialog is presented in text, but each character just laughs or mumbles constantly while it's being typed on screen, which gets very annoying. 
The gameplay starts overly simple. Lots of just running and jumping, and switching the puzzle blocks to connect three of the same color in a row. Neither genre is pushed from either screen, so it seems like two separate games thrown into one. But as time goes on, you find yourself really getting into it, and the difficulty rising. You forget about the puzzle screen until it's about to burst over onto the top screen and you've got to do some madcap color matching to save yourself, only to return and slash some more baddies. It's not perfect, but both aspects of the game are fairly solid. I don't know why, and I can't figure it out yet, but the game is so charming and inviting. The end result is greater than the sum of the parts. It shouldn't be this fun. It's not, but it is. It's simple, yet difficult. It's boring, yet hysterical. I can't pull myself away from it, yet can't pinpoint what it is I love so much. This game is sure enough, incredibly puzzling.
If you enjoy platformers, puzzle games, or both, or even the look and style of Prof. Layton, give yourself some time with Henry Hatsworth. Just bare through the first few levels and you'll start to get it. Is anyone else out there playing this? Can you explain why I'm having so much fun? And why I think it's so funny that treasure chests just continue to spit out coins and jewels at the end of each level? That'd be great. Thanks.
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