Have you ever closed your eyes and seen falling block pieces slowly making their way down your eyelids? What about cleaning up the place where you lived, and while you are trying to store something away, you maximize it for the most efficiency as if you were lining everything up for the ultimate combo. If so, you're probably a fan of puzzle games and always love when a new one comes around. One such new one coming soon to Nintendo DS systems everywhere is Trioncube, and we got to ask the Director of the game Asuna some questions. Also, for your treat only, we've got eight exclusive screenshots of the game you won't find anywhere else.

1. Could you briefly tell us about the story?

It is a story about the captain of space who embarks on a mission to save a princess kidnapped by the evil Hellmetal.

2. In the story mode, do players experience just the puzzle-solving game? Or is there a solid story line with the introduction, middle, and ending section?

As you progress through Trioncube and clear different stages the story does evolve as the spaceship leaves the earth, gets lost near the planet Pluto and experiences difficulties in a black hole.

3. There are many puzzle-solving games out there. What is the main/basic feature of this game, in terms of puzzle elements? eg. Tetris creates lines. Also what is new?

In Trioncube, a chain reaction starts when you make 3x3 cubes using the blocks falling from above. Unlike other puzzle games, the chain reaction doesn’t stop immediately. As long as you can keep making 3x3 cubes, the chain reaction will continue.
　
4. Normally, it often happens that only beginning is the easy part and as you go, the stages get too difficult to go on as the game speeds up and the difficult systems appear. What are the changes that hold players’ attention throughout the game?

To clear each stage in this game is not so difficult. We designed Trioncube so that even beginners would be able to finish the game. But of course as you progress, you are given new kinds of bocks and as you progress, the more difficult it gets for the player to continue making chains. In story mode, each stage has its own objectives so that players do not get bored.

Endless mode is where it gets more difficult as players can keep playing as the difficulty level rises. On the other hand, Dimension 99 is challenging to clear even for the advanced gamers.

5. How many stages does TrionCube have? How long would it take to clear the story mode?

The arcade mode has 8 stages, the story mode has forty-five. There are ninety-nine dimensions (levels) in the endless mode. It would only take 1-2 minutes to clear each stage in the story mode, so it would take 1-2 hours to get the ending.

6. How is the touch screen used with DS? How are the two screens used? What are on in both top and bottom screen during the game?

Mainly, touch screen is only used with the menu. Touching the screen during the game means ‘’pause.’’ Basically, players can enjoy the game by watching the bottom screen. Images or references are shown in the top screen.

7. Please describe each mode?

Arcade mode: players can clear the game through playing 8 stages in a row

Story mode: A mode where players clear each stage by completing a mission

Endless mode: A mode where players keep playing until the game over

8. Please tell us about the double player mode? Do you fight against computer or the other player, or both of them? Does it accommodate for Nintendo Wi-Fi or the wireless? Is there any interruption that the players can make against the enemy?

You can play with both computer and other players. It is not designed for Wi-Fi.

In the double player mode, players compete to reach a goal. In this mode, when a chain reaction finishes, black block(s) based on the size of chains are sent to the other player. 3x3 cubes cannot be made with black blocks. But when a chain occurs right next to the black blocks, the black blocks become the normal blocks. And when it happens, there may be a chance that a new 3x3 cubes is made and the chain could turn the black blocks into the normal ones…..These black ones can be in making players feel good about the continuous chain reaction.

The black blocks sent to the other player become a chain for the other player and that gets back to the original player. Making good use of black blocks is key to victory.

9. By making a chain bigger, players can collect the coins and buy a variety of interesting objects. What effects and arts can be purchased?

Effects include clocks, kiss marks, tires, and tambourines, etc. When a chain reaction happens, both the pictures and sounds change. Arts include flowers, snacks, Japanese items, and neon signs. Also there are the effects and arts from XEVIOUS, which can be bought by collecting coins.

10. What is the difference from the other puzzle games? What would motivate the consumers to get this game?

Unlike other games, players never experience a quick game over. Anyone can play with the great feeling of building a chain. However, it’s not just an easy game, and it surely is difficult to obtain all the golden trophies in each stage, moreover, in the latter half of the endless mode, it can become difficult for advanced gamers. The fact that players rarely come to the game over screen and that players can play for a long time makes this game so compelling. These elements are what we expect to be the strong motivations for the consumers to play Trioncube.

A special thanks to Asuna for taking the time to answer our questions