To be honest, when I saw the game "Elf Match", my first reaction was "another match-3 game". But I clicked in and played a few levels, which made me, an old man, feel a little emotional - today's elimination games are completely different from the ones we played on Symbian back then.
It's not a joke, this game is based on the traditional click-and-eliminate gameplay. Two or more blocks of the same color can be eliminated. The rules are so simple that even kindergarten children can get started. But its level design is really thoughtful, and the difficulty curve is very long. The first few levels make you think "that's it?", but then suddenly you are given a combination of limited steps, locked grids, and special props, forcing you to start counting steps and thinking of strategies, and your enthusiasm suddenly rises.
What I particularly want to talk about is its prop system. Nowadays, the props in many casual games are just a way to earn money, but some of the props in "Elf Match" are generated within the level, such as bombs, rainbow bottles, etc. Their usage requires timing, and if they are coordinated properly, they can clear the screen in a wave. The feeling is no less than that of getting a sure kill in the arcade back in the day. Moreover, the free mode has no annoying pop-ups, and you can log out when you get tired of playing. This is very comfortable for experienced players.
Let's talk about mobile game trends. In the past two years, I have been working on open worlds and MMOs. It seems that if I don't spend hundreds of millions to make graphics, it doesn't deserve to be called a game. But I think the casual elimination genre is the root of mobile games. On the subway, during lunch break, or while squatting in a pit, who has time to run the main line and do daily work? Turn on your mobile phone and play a few games. You can turn it off without hesitation or fuss. This is the essence of mobile games. From "Happy Match" to the current "Elf Match", what does it mean that this type of game can survive for more than ten years? It shows that players always need "happiness in fragmented time".
Of course, I am not just boasting about my merits. The graphics of this game are fresh and cute, and the sound effects are okay, but if you are looking for high frame rates and particle effects, then it really doesn't have them. Fortunately, its positioning is clear. It is just a holiday game. It does not pretend to be high-end, but makes it easy to play.
Finally, with emotion, I played Bejeweled on Symbian for three years. Now I have changed my phone to seven or eight, and the 3A masterpieces in the game library have become dusty, but this simple elimination game has always been retained. "Elf Match" allows me to get back that "just for fun" feeling. Not bragging, I recommend it to all friends who are still playing mobile games, especially those who are tired of playing "big production" and want to take a break.
Times have changed, and games are getting bigger and bigger, but it's often these simple things that make people smile when they open and close them again. 😌