Every games platform needs it puzzlers, and PlayStation 2 is no exception. Lucky, then, then there are two being released to coincide with the launch of the machine. Bust-A-Move 4 (not exactly a new concept to PlayStation, and reviewed next issue) and Aqua Aqua: Wetrix 2.0.

For the Wetrix series' debut on PS2, developer Zed Two has introduced a story about the birth of a new world on which you have to create an even balance of land and water. Too much water and you get floods, too much land and earthquakes rip the place apart.

By way of directing and positioning Tetris-esque building blocks that fall from the heavens, you have to build up a series of walls and hills, creating lakes to hold the water which drops in the form of blue balls. The more lakes you create, the higher your score. Tactically, it's best to have several deep lakes, plus one large one to evaporate the water from. But it's not all lakes - if you don't retain enough dry land, water leaks off the edge, drowning your little Aqua character contained within.

Aquas (or 'water spirits') are little chaps who look like a cross between Teletubbies and Snorks. They run around your land and serve no purpose, except to look cute and utter strange comments. The story goes that the Aquas are competing for ownership of the world with four God-like boss characters, who try their hardest to destroy your lake-making attempts in Story Puzzle mode. If you just want to play a game without threat of a boss, go into Quick Puzzle mode and keep going until you (or, rather, your test-trapped Aqua) dies. You'll find the compulsion to better your last score is overwhelming, and once achieved very satisfying.

As well as the bosses cropping up to make life difficult, various objects fall from the sky that can either hamper or aid your objective. Ice cubes fall each time you move up a level, freezing the largest body of water, while bombs drop randomly. Use them to blow up excess land.

If you get bored playing by yourself, rope in a friend for some two-player action. It works on much the same principle as the one-player game, but relies more on the bingo card system. This option, and the beautifully rendered land and water effects, make Aqua Aqua a worthy first PS2 puzzler - and well worth your time and cash. It's so addictive it almost demands its own support helpline, and at such a low launch price, how can you resist? Water, water, everywhere.

1. The addictive gameplay
2. The land is beautifully rendered
3. Water effects are great
4. The little Aquas are pretty cute

1. The seemingly unobtainable points needed to stop a boss
2. The hours it takes out of your day!

Graphics 60%
A great 3D playing area.

Sound 70%
The Japanese-style voices add much kitsch

Gameplay 80%
Tough to get into, but great when mastered.

Lifespan 70%
Will last for ages when you first buy it.

Overall 70%
A great first puzzle game for PS2, and at a tempting price. A vast improvement on previous incarnations, but the concept could be taken a little further yet.