Puzzle Quest: CotW - Released for PC and Reviews @ Eurogamer, Gamespot, IGN

Eurogamer has posted the news that the formerly PSP- and DS-only puzzle/rpg hybrid from Infinite Interactive, PuzzleQuest:Challenge of the Warlords, has finally been released for PC and is available for digital download at GamersGate:

A PC version of Puzzle Quest is now available to buy from digital distributor GamersGate.

Priced EUR 19.99, the PC version is much the same as the Xbox Live Arcade version released on Wednesday for 1200 Microsoft points.

As everyone knows by now because we keep saying so, Puzzle Quest is a mix of puzzle and RPG elements - harnessing the addictive qualities of Bejeweled to fuel a compulsive new RPG battle system.

Eurogamer also has a review of the XBL version:

The idea is to drain your opponent's health points by doing lines of skulls, or using some of the magic spells that you can put into play when you have collected enough gems. You also have defensive spells, spells that force your enemy to miss a go, and so on. You can also make sure you get two turns in a row by creating lines of four or five tiles...

Taken in isolation, this idea would be as exciting for the Bejeweled "genre" as Super Puzzle Fighter was for falling blocks, but developer Infinite Interactive has gone further - Puzzle Quest is a proper RPG, where you journey between castles, forts and towns doing missions for queens, dwarves, minotaurs and all sorts, most of which involve having a fight.

There is also an XBL review at Gamespot:

Originally released earlier this year on the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS, Puzzle Quest was a revelation. By taking some of the most compelling properties of role-playing and puzzle games, Infinite Interactive created something that was more than the sum of its parts. It's both an RPG that can be played in short bursts, as well as a puzzle game that begs to be played in long stretches.

and another at IGN.

It wouldn't be much of an RPG if you couldn't improve your character's stats and outfit him or her with all sorts of stylish gear. Along with all the gems and skulls on the puzzlefield are gold pieces and experience stars. As you travel about the world map, each town has a shop selling weapons and armor. Some items require you to reach a certain level before use, however, which is where the experience stars come in handy. While you initially receive the same amount of mana/experience/gold as gems you clear (three to five pieces), leveling up your character's stats will result in bonuses in each of those areas.

Thanks to Icefire, for pointing out this news in the forums yesterday!