Rise Of The Match-3 Puzzle Games

Match-3 puzzle games is top grossing genre today in the mobile space. 4 of 10 top grossing games are match-3. Three game publishers take majority of puzzle market - King, Peak and Playrix.

Important trend is big game publishers are rapidly entering match-3 space. It's worth to highlight two new games: Disney Getaway Blast from Gameloft and Sweet Escapes: Build A Bakery from Redemption Games (backed by Supercell). Both games are worth playing and have some similar elements and some different.

Games are meshups - mix of two genres. Build/restore + puzzle. Gateway Blast is build on the new collapse mechanics popularized by Rovio in Angry Birds Dream Blast. It's collapse mechanics with non-regular gird containing circles as main matchable elements. Sweet Escapes is build on 9*9 collapse mechanics popularized by Peak in Toon Blast.

Here is brief comparing of Gateway Blast with competitors. Strong sides: cool IP, characters which help solve levels; great animation; interesting mechanics. Weak sides: part of the screen is used in gameplay mode; levels + mechanics can be more dynamic.

Sweet Escapes looks very good; plays well; awesome animation; can play in either portrait or landscape. Though, game lacks of innovations in comparing with competitors; no 2*2 match; levels are pretty casual.

Fine print: after both games wonna play Homescapes, Toon Blast or Angry Birds Dream Blast to experience innovations, competition, simplicity and, what is the most important nowadays - fresh puzzle content.

Happy Puzzling!