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Empires & Puzzles - Where Puzzle Meets RPG!
2023-08-08

Empires & Puzzles is a mobile game that brilliantly blends the addictive match-3 puzzle mechanics with deep role-playing and strategic elements. Developed by Small Giant Games, this title has garnered a massive following since its release.

 

The of Empires & Puzzles revolves around matching colored tiles in a traditional match-3 style to build powerful attacks and charge up special abilities of the heroes in your roster. The combination of puzzle-solving and strategic planning gives the game a unique and compelling flavor. The puzzles themselves are challenging but not overly difficult, striking a good balance between casual and hardcore players. The inclusion of RPG elements, such as hero collection, base building, and alliance wars, adds depth and long-term goals to the experience.

 


Match-3 Puzzle Battles:

 

At the core of Empires & Puzzles lies its engaging match-3 puzzle gameplay. Players are tasked with matching colored tiles on a grid to trigger attacks and abilities of their hero roster during battles. The puzzle aspect is reminiscent of classic match-3 games, but here, each move directly impacts the outcome of intense battles, adding an extra layer of strategy and excitement.

Matching more than three tiles creates special tiles that have additional effects. For example, matching four tiles forms a diamond-shaped tile that, when matched, clears a whole row and column, dealing extra damage.

Players must strategically choose which tiles to match, considering the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy and the abilities of their heroes.

 

Hero Collection and Upgrades:

 

Players collect a wide array of heroes throughout the game. Each hero belongs to a specific element and has unique special abilities and stats.

Heroes come in different rarities, ranging from common to legendary, with higher rarity heroes generally having more powerful abilities.

As players progress, they can level up and ascend their heroes using resources earned in battles. Ascending unlocks additional abilities and improves their stats, making the heroes stronger.

 


Base Building and Resource Management:

 

In addition to battles, players manage their stronghold, constructing and upgrading various buildings to generate resources such as food, iron, and recruits.

Resources are essential for training and upgrading heroes, researching technologies, and building defenses to protect the stronghold from enemy attacks.

 


Animations and Sound:

 

The animations during battles are smooth and engaging, making every match feel impactful. The game's art style is consistent and appealing, further enhancing the overall experience. The sound design complements the gameplay well, with satisfying sound effects for matches and powerful skills, though it could benefit from more variety in the background music.

 

Hero Variety and Collectibility:

 

The game boasts an extensive roster of heroes, each with unique skills and attributes. Players can acquire heroes through summoning portals, special events, or training camps. The gacha system can be addictive but remains reasonably fair, ensuring players have a steady stream of new heroes to collect and strategize with. Additionally, the diverse range of heroes promotes strategic thinking and allows players to experiment with different team compositions, making the game more engaging in the long run.

 


Fair and Engaging Monetization:

 

While the game follows a freemium model with in-app purchases available, Empires & Puzzles strikes a fair balance between free-to-play and paying players. Skillful and dedicated free players can progress and enjoy the game without feeling overly disadvantaged. Meanwhile, those who choose to make purchases can acquire special items and heroes, but the game remains accessible to all, rewarding strategy and tactical prowess over pure spending power.

 

Cons:

 

Grind and Time-Intensive Gameplay: As with many free-to-play mobile games, Empires & Puzzles requires a considerable time investment to progress and collect resources. Some players might find the grind repetitive and time-consuming, which can be a turn-off for those seeking a more casual gaming experience.

 

Limited Energy System: The game utilizes an energy system that restricts the number of battles players can engage in before needing to wait for energy to replenish or spend premium currency to refill it. This can hinder extended play sessions and may be perceived as a ploy to encourage in-app purchases.

 

Conclusion:

 

The grind-heavy gameplay, and limited energy system may be drawbacks for some players. Nonetheless, the game's innovative gameplay makes Empires & Puzzles a compelling and enjoyable experience for puzzle and RPG enthusiasts alike.

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Empires & Puzzles - Where Puzzle Meets RPG!
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Review Ratings
7.5
Playability
Interesting
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