The authors of Clash of Clans and Hay Day have published a new game in the Canadian App Store – Spooky Pop. The project belongs to the genre of “three-in-a-row”.
As they say, they didn’t wait. After three time managers, turn-based tactics and browser-based MMO, the Finns released match-3. But we would not advise you to be very happy and run to make clones yet. Whether the audience will accept a combat unhurried “three-in-a-row” with tactical elements in a humorous sci-fi setting (with ghosts) is a big question.
From the gamepel’s point of view, Spooky Pop is a mix of Diamond Dash, Puzzle & Dragons and the recent Swap Heroes. The user plays as a group of colored characters who are attacked by ghosts (after each turn they either move in your direction or shoot at you). By collecting chips in a row, the player activates the attack of one of his characters of the corresponding color. The levels are passed in several waves and, to be honest, can be decently delayed.
Dynamics are slightly added by the ability to play an unlimited number of combinations per turn. It looks like this: a field with chips is given, you “by eye” mark what combinations there are, and then collect them all as quickly as possible. This is reminiscent of a high-speed search for items in social hiddens, when more points are given for quickly finding a group of items at once.
As far as I understand, after completing the first 12 levels, the game is monetized only through energy and the ability to continue the level after the death of any of the five characters. But, perhaps, then some additional content opens there (for example, boosters), which can also be purchased only for real money.
As for the style, it is very similar to the one used in Zombie catchers and Supernauts. And ghosts are first perceived as aliens. Only then, starting to figure out who we are actually destroying with the help of blasters, an understanding comes – the game turns out to be mystical, not fantastic.
Speaking in general, I liked yesterday’s Peggle Blast much more. He, of course, is not match-3, but in terms of presenting gameplay for a casual audience, he is a cut above. And what do you think, have you already played?
Supercell is a relatively small Finnish company (only 85 people), founded in 2010. One of the main events in the fate of the studio was the arrival of Ilkka Paananen (Ilkka Paananen), who previously held the post of president at Digital Chocolate, in 2011 as CEO. The studio is mainly known for its mobile projects: Clash of Clans, Hay Day and Boom Beach.