If after several attempts you still can’t beat a challenging opponent, the alternative is to further develop your character. With each new level you can increase core attributes to enhance your abilities in battle. Beyond this, you can construct a citadel that affords special services like mounts training, weapons forging, or magic research. Building expansions to your citadel grants you access to these functions, which greatly adds to the role-playing element of the game.

On PlayStation Portable, you manipulate items on the battle grid using the directional pad and X button. This interface works fine, but it isn’t nearly as intuitive as the touch mechanic used on Nintendo DS. The trade off here is that the presentation is much sharper, crisper, and cleaner than on Nintendo’s handheld. There is greater detail in the two-dimensional backgrounds and characters; additionally, special effects for spells look much better. The sound is infinitely superior on PlayStation Portable, although this is due to better hardware and not any difference in the game’s audio design.

Both versions of Puzzle Quest share rather lackluster multiplayer support. Head-to-head matches against a friend via Ad-hoc mode are supported, but you won’t find any much-desired online play. Even if it’s only local play, puzzle duals can still be fun. Since you use your hero from the campaign, at least you can earn a bit of extra experience.

In the end, that’s all this game is about: experience. The time you spend earning it is well worth it, not just because it makes your hero stronger but also because of the additive fun you have along the way. Despite the torturous AI, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is easily one of the most original games to hit the PlayStation Portable.