Bejeweled 2

Bejeweled 2 is a web-based game, sequel to Bejeweled, developed and published by PopCap Games. In 2004, Bejeweled 2 Deluxe was released. They both add extra game modes and features to the game. Bejeweled 2 Deluxe, like all PopCap titles, is available on a "try before you buy" basis. Bejeweled 2 Deluxe was released for the Xbox 360 as a downloadable Xbox Live Arcade game on November 22, 2005. Popcap also released a version for Apple's iOS in 2008, which is available from the App Store. Bejeweled 2 was also released for PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network on 29 January 29, 2009, on the Wii via WiiWare on 14 June 2010, and on PlayStation Portable on 29 June 2010. As with the original Bejeweled, Bejeweled 2 is based on the Shariki game mechanic.

Bejeweled 2 features various secret gameplay modes that can be accessed by beating levels of Classic, Puzzle, Endless, and Action modes.

The game was named the 2001 Puzzle Game of the Year by Computer Gaming World.

Gameplay
The objective of the game is to swap one gem with an adjacent one to form a chain of three or more gems of the same color. When such a chain is created, the gems disappear, causing randomly generated gems to fall from the top to take the matched gems' place. Sometimes, falling gems automatically line up, causing chain reactions. This is called a cascade. There are several different modes of gameplay available.

Classic
The player tries to match gems together, and the resulting matches contribute to a level up bar at the bottom of the page. When the bar is filled, the player is warped onward to the next level. The game ends when the player runs out of moves.

Classic Bejeweled can be beaten, barely. In fact, only one person has ever officially completed Bejeweled 2: Mike Leyde, a 57-year old steel contractor from Riverside, California. In 2009, Leyde achieved the highest score possible—2,147,483,647 points—after playing for more than 2,200 hours. Mike first discovered Bejeweled in 2005 when his son Brian bought him the game. Bejeweled 2 wasn’t designed to show a higher number than this, so his game simply showed a blank where the score would go.

Action
Action is the new name for the original Bejeweled game's timed mode. The level begins with the level up bar halfway filled, which slowly depletes, giving the player limited time to complete the level. In action, the point values for matches are much higher. There is always at least one move that can be made and the game ends when the level up bar is empty.

Puzzle
Puzzle Mode is made up of several different scenarios. Each scenario can be solved by clearing the level of gems by using a certain combination of moves. There are also several unique gems, including Bombs and Rocks.

Endless
Endless is an untimed and never ending version of Bejeweled 2. The player can make moves at whatever pace they wish, without the worry of running out of moves. The scores for various gem combinations stay constant, regardless of the level. This game is intended to be relaxing or for beginners.

At game level 280, Endless offers up an additional new game called "Finity." Finity is not available on the iPhone version of the game. There is also a back door to unlock the Finity mode if you get bored with the Endless mode, which simply involves using the rename menu item to temporarily changing your user name, that works with both the Windows and Windows Mobile version.

After 2,200 hours of gametime over a period of 3 years, Mike Leyde earned a score of 2,147,483,647, exceeding 2^31-1 as maximum programmed score, which flipped the score into negative values and blanked the screen, proving that even Endless mode is limited.

Blitz
Released as an add-on for the iPhone version and a standalone application on Facebook, Bejeweled Blitz requires players to gain as high a score as possible within one minute. Exclusive to this mode are multipliers and extra special gems. Special gems left over at the end are activated for bonus points. Score results from this mode can be uploaded to Facebook.

Secret modes
In Bejeweled 2, several secret game modes can be unlocked.
 * By reaching Level 18 in Classic Mode, a game mode called Twilight is unlocked. In this mode, the gravity changes with each move, alternating between gems falling from the top, and then from the bottom. It appears in the menu but not on the main screen.
 * By reaching Level 9 in the Action Mode, a game mode called Hyper is unlocked. Hyper is like Action, but much faster paced, being four times faster. However, the cascade continues if a legal move is found within half-a-second of the previous cascade, even if the gems have settled.
 * By completing Puzzle Mode, the game mode Cognito is unlocked. Cognito is like Puzzle Mode, but with points and a separate high scores list, and you are unable to use hints without getting penalized 0 points for one level.  If Cognito is completed without using any clues for any puzzle, it will play the last puzzle endlessly.
 * By completing level 280 in Endless Mode, a game mode called Finity is unlocked. It is like Action except that rocks and bombs are incorporated into the game field, and points are awarded only for gems that are destroyed by an explosion or Hyper Cube reaction.
 * When you hover all of the game modes in order from Classic, Action, Endless, and Puzzle with your pointer 8 times, you automatically start the hidden "Original Mode". This mode is like playing Bejeweled Classic. This means there are no power gems or hyper cubes. This mode has an auto save feature just like the other modes, and even has its own score board. However, if you want to reenter this game mode, you must perform the same task listed above.  The Windows Mobile version has no hover overs and it automatically appears on the main menu screen where Classic was when you toggle the four of the five additional modes using the question mark.

Gems
Normal gems come in several different colors and cuts. There are also several other different types of gems, some of which are available only in certain modes. Additional special gems appear after matches of more than three gems:


 * Power gems - These gems appear to be glowing brightly. When matched, they explode, causing massive point gain.  They are formed by matching either four gems in a line, or five gems in two intersecting lines of three (i.e. a cross, a T, or an L).
 * Hyper cubes - These appear as colorful vortices or as a rotating cube, depending on the Bedazzled platform and version. Hyper cubes are formed when a match of five gems in a line is made. When a Hyper cube is swapped with a gem, all the gems of that color on the board are destroyed.  If a Hyper cube is swapped with another Hyper cube, you only get 200 points for each cube.
 * Bombs - Bombs are exclusive to Puzzle Mode. These have the appearance of underwater mines with timers on them.  When the timer gets down to 0, an explosion shatters all the gems around it.
 * Rocks - Rocks are exclusive to Puzzle Mode. These appear as miniature boulders, and can only be cleared off the board by hyper cubes or explosions caused by power gems or bombs.