Bejeweled
If you’re looking for another match-three puzzle game, similar in style to Candy Crush, then the first name that’ll come to mind for many is Bejeweled, the extremely popular and long running series of games. Originally developed as a browser game and released in 2001, Bejeweled has graced many platforms, including mobile devices, tablets, and most consoles, in one form or another. It is developed by PopCap, the studio that brought us Peggle and Plants vs. Zombies, and the series has sold over 50 million copies across all platforms since the first game released. There has been just six versions of the game (three numbered entries in the main series and three spin-offs) and the most recent release is Bejeweled Stars, which was launched in 2016. It has come along way visually over the last 15 years but it is still the same match-three jewels puzzler gameplay at heart.
Farm Heroes Saga
Farm Heroes Saga is another match-three puzzler developed by King Games, the creators of Candy Crush. In this one, you match colored, cartoon pieces of fruit to stop Rancid Racoon, collect all the Cropsies, and save Happy World Farm. Aside from the theme, Farm Heroes Saga is almost identical to Candy Crush. The aim is the same, the gameplay is the same, and the progression system is the same. That may or may not be a good thing, depending on what you are looking for from you Candy Crush alternative. Do you want more of the same experience, just with an altered aesthetic, or is the only similarity you want for it to be a match-three puzzler? If you want the former, then Farm Heroes Saga would be the perfect choice.
Zookeeper Battle
Zookeeper Battle is a simple match-three puzzle game at first glance, with you being required to do little more than match some cartoon animal pictures to build up your collection of zoo creatures. However, the zoo animals you get from completing each level are for more than just show. In each area, above the game area, you battle against rival zookeepers with your team of lions, elephants, or other animals, doing damage with each match you create in the game. Since its release, over ten million people have played Zookeeper Battle and it is a great option for those of you that are looking for a more complex match-three puzzler.
Futurama: Game of Drones
Game of Drones is the perfect option for any fans of both match-three puzzle games and Futurama. Based on the characters and situations in the hit TV show, this spin-off game is a more complex entry in the genre. Instead of needing to match three, you’re asked to match a minimum of four icons to clear them from the board. Aside from the shared aesthetic with the TV show, Game of Drones is pretty standard in how it plays but, if you’re looking for something similar to Candy Crush with a little more personality, it would be a great option. However, it does lean quite heavily on microtransactions and ‘freemium’ options.
Puzzle and Dragons
Puzzle and Dragons adds a little more complexity to the match-three puzzle game genre, without making it overly complicated or difficult to understand. The game, which was quite popular in Japan when it released, combines the match-three idea with combat. As you create a match with the colored icons, you deal damage to the opponent you are facing. The more icons you match and remove from the game area in a single combo, the more damage you deal to the level’s enemy. Puzzle and Dragons also features a card-collecting side objective that allows you to create a roster of monsters to fight the boss in each level. It is a great choice if you want a match-three puzzler that has a little more to it.
Published: Oct 13, 2017 05:34 pm