17 Platripedia—Game Tips
“Match-Three” Ubiquity
Since emergence of Bejeweled onto the casual gaming scene, a popular puzzle genre has spawned called Match Three. In this type of puzzle game, the player swaps adjacent objects to match three of the same kind. When three or more of the objects are together they disappear, causing the above objects on the grid to take their place. This allows the player to create chain reactions or cascades as the new objects fall to form new matches. Extra points are given when linking four or even five of a kind together or when a double match is formed from a single swap. Sometimes no move can be made, in which case either the grid is cleared and reset with all new objects or the game is over.
The simple Match Three game is popular because it is easy to pick up and play within seconds. There is no way to lose or fail, the player simply strives to attain their best score possible—although the player may be under a time limit in a timed game. The multiple chains that can spontaneously trigger gratify the player, making this puzzle game extremely addictive.
There are many variations on the Match Three formula. Sometimes new elements are added like power-ups or specific goals, but the core game remains the same.
Tiki Trouble. This Match Three game has you matching with seven different kinds of tiki heads. Tiki Trouble focuses on the player’s speed by awarding points based on how quickly they can create matches.
Atlantis Quest. This adventurous Match Three game has you diving into the mysterious underwater world of Atlantis to reassemble ancient artifacts. The grid contains artifact pieces you must collect by removing all the objects beneath them allowing them to be retrieved.
Fruity Flip Flop. Cherries, strawberries, bananas, pineapples, watermelons, oranges, and apples—you’ll have seven different types of fruit to match in this basic Match Three game. Play either against the clock or until you run out of moves.
Dino Drop. Much like Fruity Flip Flop, except this time you’ll be matching seven different colored dinosaur eggs. Recommended for the prehistoric matcher.
Around the World in 80 Days. This Jules Vern inspired Match Three game will have you globetrotting to different cities as you match colored tiles to uncover artifact pieces that will assist you on your journey. By matching four or more tiles you earn and upgrade power-ups that will annihilate groups of tiles in one shot, such as hammers and bombs.