Gem Legends

Gem Legends follows the swap-and-match pattern closely. Move one gem into a neighbouring spot so that three or more of the same kind meet, and they are blasted off the board. Clearing gems this way is how levels are completed.

What the developer adds on top is a tier of special gems. A plain line of three just clears. A match of four or five creates a special power gem, and the developer says special gem combinations trigger explosive effects that score heavily. The game also talks of legendary treasures to collect, and the developer claims hundreds of levels.

Two ways to move are described: you can drag a gem into place, or tap to select one and then tap to swap. The board is shown in a landscape frame, 800 by 600, and works with a mouse or a touch screen.

Drag a gem towards the space next to it, or tap it and then tap its neighbour, to make the two change places. A line of three matching gems clears them. A line of four or five creates a special power gem instead. Special gem combinations set off explosive effects. Clear enough gems to finish the level.

Since lines of four and five turn into power gems, it pays to look for those before taking an easy three. The developer ties the explosive effects and the big scores to special gem combinations, so treat a power gem on the board as something to build around rather than spend at once.

A gem-swapping match-3 in a landscape frame (800 by 600), playable by mouse or touch. Four- and five-gem matches create power gems. The developer describes the game as having hundreds of levels.

Pirates the match 3 also rewards longer lines, forging mighty gems that can be combined again, and Crystal Diamond uses a press, drag and release swap with power-ups.