Season match is a fantasy themed puzzle game in which players collect gems located on each level. In order to complete tasks such as unlocking pieces of a mirror or alternatively clearing the boards. But it isn’t all as to what it seems to be. As this game does have a lot I didn’t expect from it in many ways. Namely in the design and expectations I had for this game.
First thing I will say is that the design for this game is quite misleading. Particularly in the tags the game has on the steam store. This game is tagged as a match 3 game. There is even a review in the store that states as much. The images provided it looks like a match 3 style game. One in which you move gems together so that you can match 3 gems of the same colour.
But what we have in actuality is a click 3 game. In which you click 3 gems that together and are of the same colour. I was quite disappointed as I was expecting to play on a match 3 style game.
As a result of this game being a click 3 game rather than a traditional match 3 game. Consequently this game becomes a very mindless and repetitive experience. This is because, when you play on the game. You don’t really have to think or plan long term for how you achieve set goals. Gameplay wise all you do is just click on 3 gems of the same colour to match them. Whilst abstaining from clicking on one colour of the gems. This is done so that you can get a larger set of that colour later on. Whilst I think that it is mindless game to play on. However it does make it a lot easy for those who struggle with games.
I also feel that the game doesn’t try to alleviate the easiness. The only restrictions are the timer and if there is a tile blocking the way. However if you match gems near the blockage (such as a bush or ice) it will disappear. There is also a lack of difficulty options present as the campaign mode only has one difficulty mode. The arcade mode you only have 2 options available. The first one being a casual mode that moves time limits. The other option is an action mode that has a timer but other than that there are no extra options.
Putting the game design aside there is plenty of things about this game that I can say positive things about. I like the artwork for game as it is well done and compliments the style of the game. Although I did notice that at times on levels they will use autumn as level theme. But then in the assets for the tiles used in the level. The level will feature spring/summer flowers as well as ice tiles. I feel that this looks completely out of place.
Overall I generally feel that this game isn’t worth getting due to how simplistic and basic the game is. However I wouldn’t argue that it is all bad strictly speaking. Whilst it maybe too easy for me (and a lot of other people) to play on. I think for a young child, older person or someone who is computer illiterate. Season Match is an ok introduction to puzzle games but it certainly isn’t worth paying any amount of money for. However if this game was free to play/part of a bundle then it would be worth looking at.
