The CPU cheats - that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Its those additions that transforms Puzzle Quest from a standard match 3 game into much, much more. The RPG elements of the game give you reasons to keep playing, unlike the typical jewel matching game you're accustomed to.
The main gripe I have with Puzzle Quest is that I think the CPU cheats. Since there is no time limit for your moves, you can study the board at length to ensure you aren't setting the CPU opponent up for a combo or 4 of a kind. Even after studying the board, however, the CPU may happen to perform just the right move to cause a combo to occur from the new blocks falling from the top. It happened often enough to make me think that the opponent's difficulty level is based upon how much knowledge it has of the upcoming blocks which are not visible to the human player.
Now, maybe I'm just griping over my own lack of skill but please be forewarned. The game can be as frustrating as it is addictive. That said, I would highly recommend this game to anyone with even a passing interest in casual games and especially to the puzzle game fan.
The production values are passable, but lack of polish is totally forgiveable on a title this addictive. This is the type of game you can pick up and play every once in a while or play all night in a marathon session. Be sure to have eye drops handy...