If you can pry yourself away from Halo 3 (or The Orange Box...or one of the other million new games released this month) for a few minutes you might want to give this week's Live Arcade release a look. That's because this week is the week we finally get Puzzle Quest:

In addition to online multiplayer capabilities, the Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 version of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords features leaderboards, voice chat, the ability to capture unlocked monsters and runes outside the main story, short recharge time limits for the most powerful spells, XBLA Achievements and more. Gamer Pics and Themes for the game are available through Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Set in the Warlords universe, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords tasks players to save the land of Etheria from evil Lord Bane. Gamers engage in battles fought by means of competitive, head-to-head and "match-three" style puzzle games in one of three gameplay modes: Single-player, Instant Action or Multiplayer. Victory will advance a player's customizable hero, magical arsenal, creature companions and more - ultimately rewarding gamers at nearly every turn and deepening their immersion into the richly diverse world.

At 1200 MS Points ($15 US) Puzzle Quest might not be an impulse purchase, but keep in mind that the DS and PSP versions of the game run about $20 US each - and the upcoming Wii port is going to be $30 US. That fifteen bucks is actually a steal.