Alright, here's my video for the game. It's surprisingly easy to just get that one turn that goes on forever. I'm beginning to wonder if the bonus moves you get for matching 4 or more is what's actually holding the game back... Those spell charges are definitely going to be needed if this game gets developed further.
Just wanted to let you know that I've made my own custom ruleset for this game, and it looks like it's working out so far. Matches are longer, but that's fine with me because at least now players can't automatically win by having one incredible turn. I'll share the rule changes I've been using:
⦁ Before ending your turn, you must use up ALL of your moves. ⦁ You can't purchase spells from the shop until you have at least 10 gold. When you do have at least 10 gold, you must spend gold on spells in the shop until you can't spend any more before matching any more gems. (This means buying spells your apprentices can't use if there is no other way to spend your gold, but spells can still be used at this time.) ⦁ If your health is at 5 or lower, you can purchase spells from the shop at any time as long you have at least 5 gold. When you choose to spend your gold, you must still spend your gold until you can't spend any more before matching any more gems. ⦁ You can only use each spell in your spellpool once, and can only scroll down to the next 3 spells in your spellpool after using the previous 3 spells. (Any spells in your spellpool your apprentices can't use are considered used.)
Pretty interesting idea here, turning match-3 into a competitive turn-based duelling game. I like how you've given each character a "playstyle" by forcing them into using specific resources as well. I'd be interested to see what this game grows into, if you're still working on it. I've got just 1 criticism:
Since there aren't a lot of spells for each class and each class is limited to using spells of certain types, the spellpool doesn't feel like it adds much to the gameplay. You'll need to either add a lot more spells for each class, or make it so that each spell a player gets disappears after a certain number of uses, so that they have to continue buying them. Considering "Strike" is in the spellpool (which currently makes no sense since that's the default spell players always have from the beginning), I recommend the latter, but adding some more spells would definitely be a plus too.
I've got some ideas for spells:
Injure/Intimidate (name depends on what class you give the spell to): Remove 1 of your opponent's apprentices until the end of your next turn.
Cloak (illusionist spell): Select 1... you call the resources you're trying to match "gems", I believe? Anyway, the "gem" you select can't be moved by your opponent during their next turn, and can't be matched until your next turn.
Goldcasting (merchant spell): During the turn you use this spell, whenever you cast any other spells afterward, you can use gold and merchants as substitutes for whatever resources and apprentices would normally be required to cast the spell.
Wow, I didn't think I'd hear anything about this prototype, it has been years since I touched it and kind of forgot about it. I think if I wanted to make it into an actual game I'd have to rewrite it from scratch. However, seeing your review does make me feel there might be more to the concept than I thought at first. I really like the spell ideas your have, and I think I have a lot more problems with the current state of the game than you do. Like we were planning to make a story mode for the game which is unfinished right now. Your review inspires me to take another consideration of the concept and maybe make an actual game from this prototype. Thank you!
Haha, I only regret not finding it sooner... I don't even remember what I was looking for when I stumbled across this. But yeah, this game is really interesting, I intended to make a video on it if you don't mind. Competitive match-3 is definitely not something I've ever heard of until now, so this'll make a good addition to my collection.
If you like it that much I wouldn't mind spending some time on it to polish it, even story mode I wouldn't mind fleshing out some more. It just makes me happy to see someone who likes it.
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Alright, here's my video for the game. It's surprisingly easy to just get that one turn that goes on forever. I'm beginning to wonder if the bonus moves you get for matching 4 or more is what's actually holding the game back... Those spell charges are definitely going to be needed if this game gets developed further.
.
Just wanted to let you know that I've made my own custom ruleset for this game, and it looks like it's working out so far. Matches are longer, but that's fine with me because at least now players can't automatically win by having one incredible turn. I'll share the rule changes I've been using:
⦁ Before ending your turn, you must use up ALL of your moves.
⦁ You can't purchase spells from the shop until you have at least 10 gold. When you do have at least 10 gold, you must spend gold on spells in the shop until you can't spend any more before matching any more gems. (This means buying spells your apprentices can't use if there is no other way to spend your gold, but spells can still be used at this time.)
⦁ If your health is at 5 or lower, you can purchase spells from the shop at any time as long you have at least 5 gold. When you choose to spend your gold, you must still spend your gold until you can't spend any more before matching any more gems.
⦁ You can only use each spell in your spellpool once, and can only scroll down to the next 3 spells in your spellpool after using the previous 3 spells. (Any spells in your spellpool your apprentices can't use are considered used.)
Pretty interesting idea here, turning match-3 into a competitive turn-based duelling game. I like how you've given each character a "playstyle" by forcing them into using specific resources as well. I'd be interested to see what this game grows into, if you're still working on it. I've got just 1 criticism:
Since there aren't a lot of spells for each class and each class is limited to using spells of certain types, the spellpool doesn't feel like it adds much to the gameplay. You'll need to either add a lot more spells for each class, or make it so that each spell a player gets disappears after a certain number of uses, so that they have to continue buying them. Considering "Strike" is in the spellpool (which currently makes no sense since that's the default spell players always have from the beginning), I recommend the latter, but adding some more spells would definitely be a plus too.
I've got some ideas for spells:
Injure/Intimidate (name depends on what class you give the spell to): Remove 1 of your opponent's apprentices until the end of your next turn.
Cloak (illusionist spell): Select 1... you call the resources you're trying to match "gems", I believe? Anyway, the "gem" you select can't be moved by your opponent during their next turn, and can't be matched until your next turn.
Goldcasting (merchant spell): During the turn you use this spell, whenever you cast any other spells afterward, you can use gold and merchants as substitutes for whatever resources and apprentices would normally be required to cast the spell.
Wow, I didn't think I'd hear anything about this prototype, it has been years since I touched it and kind of forgot about it. I think if I wanted to make it into an actual game I'd have to rewrite it from scratch. However, seeing your review does make me feel there might be more to the concept than I thought at first. I really like the spell ideas your have, and I think I have a lot more problems with the current state of the game than you do. Like we were planning to make a story mode for the game which is unfinished right now. Your review inspires me to take another consideration of the concept and maybe make an actual game from this prototype. Thank you!
Haha, I only regret not finding it sooner... I don't even remember what I was looking for when I stumbled across this. But yeah, this game is really interesting, I intended to make a video on it if you don't mind. Competitive match-3 is definitely not something I've ever heard of until now, so this'll make a good addition to my collection.
If you like it that much I wouldn't mind spending some time on it to polish it, even story mode I wouldn't mind fleshing out some more. It just makes me happy to see someone who likes it.