PSP

PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient

There's not a lot of lasting appeal to PQ. Although I think it's a lot of fun and the idea is certainly novel, it's not far removed from being a novelty. There have been other IQ games, most notably IQ: Intelligence Cube for the original Playstation and IQ Remix+: Intelligent Cube for the PS2. So by no means is this game revolutionary but the presentation is definitely original. Not to mention that this is a portable version and can be easily passed on to your friends.

Even still, Intelligent License may not be everyone's cup of tea. Heck, it may not even be their glass of warm milk. The heady platform based puzzle action is most certainly unique, and for a system currently starved of interesting new software, it comes as an invigorating breath of fresh air. Random difficulty spikes and the occasional camera concern aside, there's very little here that one could honestly say needs more work. And while a few more stages would have surely been appreciated, one can't fault the amount of variety that each challenge represents. The rush felt at successfully solving a room is second to none, and in a way easily compensates for any frustrations felt at the player's own lack of mental agility. So go on, pluck up the courage, slap down the money, and if you're really smart, get yourself an Intelligent License. I may not be the brightest kid on the block, but I do know a good thing when I see it. Check it out!

Overall that's what this game is – frantic and intense, but also one of frustration and at times illogical confusion. This is definitely not for everyone. But if you're like me and love an interesting puzzle game, PQ belongs in your PSP collection.

Limited replay is enough to hold back the overall value here, but those brief hours are definitely some of the sweetest and most unique puzzling in recent years, and certainly a highlight on the PSP.

As it turns out, I actually did enjoy PQ. It has a pleasing look and feel, and it’s simple but forces some cognizant thought to play it. At its asking price, it’s a pretty good deal. While you don’t exactly get a lot of game for your money, you do get an attractive game that encourages you to play it in a unique way. That’s really not so bad.

Those looking for a deep, involving puzzle game will find it in PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient. There are a good number of puzzles, most of which offer enough of a challenge to engage puzzle nuts without distancing novices. There's enough here to warrant a look from anyone wanting something different to play, and it's a great little game to have while on the go.

PQ is a great addition to the PSP library but falls flat on replay value. The puzzles are fun but are limited on how many different variations there are. I was able to repeat the same puzzle over and over again to score higher. Though I like the fact I received a better score, I kind of wanted there to be a limit of how many tries you had to give me an incentive on concentrating to score higher. I'd suggest picking up PQ even though I am giving it an average score. Who wouldn't want to solve the age old question that your friends ask you. That question is 'Are you dumb?' What better way to pull out the PSP and bam there's your high score!

There is a good variety of mind-benders (ranging from math to block-pushing), but eventually its frustrating test elements outweigh everything else. The first half of the game is fun, but the later tasks are simply drawn-out chores that don't seem to test anything but your patience.

The lack of multiplayer and additional levels puts the long-term hurt on PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient. But I still recommend it, mainly because it reinvigorates your brain and actually puts it to good use. The design is enjoyably original and the gameplay will keep you busy, at least for a little while. Quit being a lazy brain and give it a go. Yeah, I'm talking to you, girly man!

Overall, it’s not a bad game. For a puzzle game, it’s relatively short, but at times, frustratingly hard. If you’re looking for a puzzle game that will hold your attention for more than a few hours, try Lumines or the extremely more difficult Mercury. But the hours you spend playing this game are well worth it, if not just to brag about how smart you are, or at least how smart the game claims you to be.

Video games have come a long way from the simple toys. The big thing about gaming now days is how far a developer can stray from the standard formula and branch out to new genres. Nowpro, makers of PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient are out to push the limits of what we define as a game. PQ is not as much of a game as it a tool to figure out what you know about spacial recognition. The levels are called “questions” and the way the game figures out your score is quite smart. There are some great concepts in the game but the overall package doesn't flow like it should.

PQ is a rare and original logic-themed approach to the puzzle genre that plays well through its 100 increasingly complicated questions. It’s not the most attractive or colorful problem-solving game compared to the recently released Lemmings, but it’s still briefly addictive. On top of that, it’ll make you feel and look smarter.

PQ may fail as some sort of standardized test of your cognitive reasoning abilities, but those are admittedly some pretty lofty goals for a PSP puzzle game. If you're intent on proving just how smart you are, join Mensa or become a mathlete or something. But, if you're just looking for some deliberate and challenging puzzles, and you're willing to look past an interface that is occasionally awkward, PQ is a fine fit.

PQ isn't a perfect game, but it's still a darn good puzzler. Maybe I was simply falling for the game's gimmick, but given the amount of fast thinking that I was putting into those puzzles, I really did feel as though the game was measuring my intelligence. That's something that I can't say about most games out there. Either way, this is certainly a nice break from all those falling blocks.

With the absence of Tetris on the PSP, PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient is a great puzzle game for your PSP. Be warned though - there is nothing worse than being told by a game that you are stupid - that's what mothers are for!

Long story short, what we have here is an intellectually stimulating maze-based puzzle game that's good for one or two days of play before it ends up on the shelf.

Being a far cry from many games on the market these days, PQ is a game that tests your Practical Intelligence Quotient, rather than the well known IQ. The game throws puzzles at you that range from moving blocks and walls, to avoiding being seen by other characters as well as needing to calculate weights and maneuver treadmills and escalators to solve others. The game is really one big test that is broken down into 10 levels, each consisting of 10 puzzles that will all judge your logic, judgement, efficiency, perceptiveness, and speed. Some of the tests you’ll come across are overly simple, while others are just mind bogglingly difficult. You will need a good memory for some, good prediction for others and a working brain in your melon for all of them.

Practical IQ n'est finalement qu'une sorte de remake de luxe de Kurushi, de Sony justement, sorti il y a quelques années sur PSone. Si le principe est similaire, tout en y intégrant une notion de calcul de quotient intellectuel pratique (pour surfer sur la vague Kawashima et compagnie), le soft de Nowpro n'en reste pas moins intéressant à petite dose. Après, de là à vous dire si vous augmenterez significativement votre logique en y jouant.

PQ appealed to me because it wasn't wrapped up in any kind of story or adventure—from the start, it's clear in positioning itself outright as a series of brain teasers. This kind of thing seems like a perfect fit for squeezing in a few minutes on a portable system, not to mention that it's a brand-new game and not a spin off or sequel to something found on the PS2. Although the problems present are significant enough to keep it from rising to the top tier of PSP offerings, PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient does have a certain appeal; players interested in putting their gray matter to the test might not put it at the top of its class, but it does get a passing grade.

In conclusion, I recommend renting PQ before buying it... but only if your teacher assigns it to you.