Bewitching and Bedazzling Bejeweled
Scoring is similar in both modes - you get 10 points for each match you make. In addition, if you align more than three in a row or you will get 10 additional points per extra jewel. If additional rows and columns match as a result of the jewels falling after a match they will be worth extra points as well. Matches can earn up to 90 points each. In addition you can earn bonus points. Bonus points are given when the bonus bar at the bottom of the screen gets filled completely. In an easy game the bar starts out completely empty and fills slightly every time a match is made. In a timed game the bar starts out approximately half filled and acts as the clock for the game. The bar drains as time passes without matches being made and fills as matches are made. The faster you make matches the faster you get bonus points. In both cases the bar is returned to its default position after bonuses are awarded. The value of a bonus session can vary from about 100-200 points and are awarded in 10 point increments each corresponding to the removal of a jewel from the board.
In the spirit of good fun Astraware provides a webpage listing global high scores in both modes. I always enjoy seeing where I stand against other players in any Palm game and think that high score pages are a nice addition to any game. The short list contains the top ten scores in each mode but the list can be expanded to show the top 50 scores in each mode. The page updates automatically whenever new scores are submitted.
The game is visually stunning especially in color. I have played it in POSE using a color OS3.5 ROM and it almost physically hurt to go back to the black and white version on my Palm. I can honestly say that this is the only game that has ever made me feel that way. Sure there have been games that look nice in color (another Astraware game, Zap! 2000 comes to mind) but I was perfectly happy playing them in black and white even immediately after seeing them in color. I definitely mourned the loss of color with Bejeweled.
Bejeweled has earned a spot alongside some of the Seahorse Software games and a small handful of others in the Addictive Games Hall
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