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Spellarium 10
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Are you ready for a new challenge? This is the task facing you with the next episode of LGT SIA series of Spellarium Match 3 titles. Now up to number 10, this challenge will involve you in the cultivation of elemental crystals and secure suitable storage. In order to carry out this task, it will require working through over 100 Match 3 levels of grid action while tackling various mini game puzzles.
When playing Spellarium 10, profiles can be created to record the process of individual players. Adjustments can be made to the volume levels used for background music and sound effects. Options are available to view the game in full screen mode with a custom cursor and the appearance of hints. Three different difficulty modes are available, allowing you to select from relaxed game play, limited time to complete levels or a limited number of moves.
The game's main focus concentrates on the Match 3 aspect of action. While not neglecting the basic tactic of creating groups of 3 or 4 similar embellished tiles with a grid environment, Spellarium mixes in a variety of other issues that are either helpful or obstructive. Rather than a single grid in a level, Spellarium often makes use of different linked grid areas to house its tiles and other elements.
Whatever grid area is used, the area will be filled with a mixture of items that will need to be cleared. As newly created groups are constructed by swapping two adjacent tiles, destructive action will be set in motion resulting in the removal of nearby elements such as fire, snow, coal and inactive torch areas plus the filling of a vial with special drops. You could also need to deal with Colb containers and stump blockages.
Assisting you in the clearance process will be the appearance of a cannon which can shoot at areas of the grid. You can also create dynamite packs by forming a group of four tiles or a rocket ship when making a group of five tiles. The rocket ship elements are particularly useful as they will attack and destroy one of the ten gold coins found on every level. By hovering the mouse cursor over a rocket ship you will be informed as to where the rocket ship will attack when activated. You will need to remove all the ten gold coins to complete each level of this game and receive a reward of other coins.
Every so often the focus of the game will switch to that of a mini game puzzle. While these mini game puzzles can be skipped, they cover a variety of tasks randomly selected from an available pool. You could be asked to play a hand of Solitaire as you create chains of cards that are either one lower or higher than the current card. Other type of game play include a jigsaw made up of irregular shaped blocks that can be rotated, clear a Mah-jong layout or Spot the Differences between two similar scenes.
As with the Match 3 levels, completing a mini game puzzle bring a financial reward. These coins can be used to set about the creation of a new town. A scrollable list of possible buildings or facilities will be provided and you can select one that you can afford. The building process is carried out automatically.
Build into the game of Spellarium is a link to a comprehensive Help feature. This will list general information regarding the different elements in the grid, including the previously mentioned Colb containers, and a possible way of dealing with them. This feature is available whenever working in Match 3 game mode.
The game's various elements and action are linked together by animated cut-scenes. Your on-screen character Eric will relate the problems of creating the new town with printed text and offer encouragement to continue with the numerous problems. I downloaded my copy of the game from Gamehouse.com where it is priced at $9.99. It is also available from Big Fish Games priced at £7.83. The game requires a 1.6 GHz processor with 1024MB of RAM and 82MB of hard disk space running Windows 7 and later.
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