As of late, match-3 games seem to be as popular as any other major video game genre. Just recently, Chessa reviewed Jewel Master Egypt, a match-3 game with a twist. Gyromancer also puts a twist on the basic puzzle concept and firmly merges it with the main staples of an RPG.
Just like any other RPG, Gyromancer is a story-driven affair that allows players to both navigate worlds, collect items, form a party, battle enemies and level up. The overworld of Gyromancer is a simple one, providing a number of locations for players to choose and enter. Within each of these locations is a simple map with a variety of key points on it. These key points are linked by a path that players must traverse. Enemies also travel these paths, and are often impeding the pathway to a keypoint.
Upon contact of an enemy, players are transported to a battle screen where they must choose a monster from their team that will represent them in the conflict. After a monster is chosen, players are brought to the battlefield, which now operates much differently from your typical RPG.
Here players have a box which they can use to highlight four gems on the screen. Within the box, the gems will shift clockwise with a press of the A button. Players' entire focus will be to match gems of the same color in a row of three. Each time gems are shifted, the enemy's special move will charge, bringing them one step closer to coverting a gem into a possible attack.
Players are given a set number of turns to match two other gems to the problem gem before it explodes causing damage. By the same token, the players gauge fills up with each match-3 combo made. The game will perform an auto-attack once players' meter is filled up, converting a gem on the board to carry an attack. Once the combo is made, the enemy will be attacked.
What makes this system unique and interesting is the fact that players are actually still bound to a turn-based system. This transforms the gameplay from a simple puzzle game to a something more in line with Chess. It's an interesting departure from the typical application of the match-3 gameplay.
As players defeat their enemies, they will earn experience, making recharge rates on the beasts quicker, as well as making the beasts stronger. This is vital in beating the levels in the game as each harbors a strong boss that earns special attacks very quickly. Keeping with the RPG design, players can also use items to cure ailments and refill health, amongst other things. Finally, players will earn gil as they complete battles, which they can in turn use to purchase new beasts for battle.
Unfortunately, there isn't much more to say about Gyromancer. The battles can be interesting, but once players nail down the general concepts, the game tends to become easier and easier, and as such, less interesting. The merging of match-3 puzzles and RPG staples in an interesting approach, especially since the RPG staples are thoroughly integrated.
Those looking for a competent title with a match-3 puzzle core can't go wrong with Gyromancer. Those sick of such puzzle games should avoid Gyromancer as it doesn't truly offer something all that different.
