PSP Review: PQ 2: Practical Intelligence Quotient 2

This highly challenging, visual PSP puzzle game has a great look and immense content. This sequel to Practical Intelligence Quotient may also remind players of the PlayStation classic puzzler, Intelligent Qube (I.Q.). Most of the puzzles in this title have a considerably high rate of difficulty, so be sure you’re up to this considerable mental challenge (there is a tutorial for beginners).

Basically, the game’s score is calculated through the number of moves and speed the puzzles are completed (PQ score). Players can take their score online and explore the competition while even going further in the creation mode. Your completed puzzles can be shared with other players and vice versa. It’s a good idea to test play your puzzles before posting them… well actually the game make you – they have to keep a high level of quality you know. Many puzzles this reviewer found were quite creative while creating some easier alternatives for beginning players.

First, create a profile by entering your personal information including location, age, global location and even blood type. Players can choose which puzzles they want to play first, and have the ability to get a preliminary PQ score (in roughly 10 minutes) or play through the full puzzle set, including 10 unlockable puzzles, for their full PQ score. Achieve high scores by completing goals quickly in the shortest amount of steps. At the end, you’ll reach ‘enlightment’ as a light beam signifies you’ve finished.

Movements include interactive objects, which can used for building bridges, moving, pushing and pulling. Players have plenty of options as the largely open-ended object and movement possibilities allow you to pick up boxes (some even made of glass), activate switches/elevators and access doors. The challenge lies in where, when and how (in what order) you make your move. The camera movement works very well, so players can orient themselves in each challenge quickly without losing valuable time.

Once players get oriented with the interface, they can take the full PQ test – solving 100 puzzles in five hours. You can enter the online ranking system after taking the 100 Puzzle Test. You can also take quicker tests where you solve five puzzles in 10 minutes. Themed puzzles (single-move, reasoning, trap, fewest move and advanced) boost your skills in specific areas faster if you want to work on weaknesses for getting higher scores.

The game’s game play engine makes you work hard for each victory, especially through hazards like laser beams and other characters who can make you restart your current puzzle. You might find shortcuts in other puzzle games, but you should try to finish the puzzle even if you’re doing bad, otherwise you’ll likely be penalized for using ‘trial and error’ strategies.

Highly recommended for the high replay value (more than 250 puzzles plus 10 unlockable puzzles), difficult challenges and brainpower exercise – definitely worth the $29.95 price. The game is based off the studies by Professor Masuo Koyasu of Kyoto University.

PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient 2 is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB.