Becoming a limited free game on a console brand can do wonders commercially, whilst spreading the word for people who will pick up the console when the period ends. The prime example of this during this generation has been Rocket League, but other titles like Apotheon, Don’t Starve, and Broforce have all gotten reasonable acclaim thanks to a higher chance in the indie spotlight.
And just like Rocket League, Tumblestone is a game that could be scoffed at on it’s surface. Its a Match 3 game, a genre usually reserved for mobile shovelware nowadays. However, I hope Xbox Live owners and gamers of other platforms give this one a chance, as it really tempers and improves upon the lowest expectations.
Gameplay:
Match 3 games are one of the few genres that are always resigned to the same objective, but that doesn’t mean innovation can be introduced. This is ever so present in Tumblestone, as the game flips the traditional hastiness seen after trying to get a match done before an important event, an ever so prominent aspect of the genre’s pick up and play style. You need to concentrate, and as more variables are placed into the mix, it’s up for you to push your skills to the limit.
Story & Design:
With what was said in the previous comment, it’s easy to see how Tumblestone could compare to a game like Papers Please, where the normal tedium is removed in the favor of intriguing entertainment. It’s central mechanics aren’t what’s traditionally expected, which makes it ever so better. When was the last time playing a Match 3 game with other people was fun? It’s things like these that have Tumblestone remind me of the magic of Bejeweled, but without the clutter.
Presentation/ Visuals & Audio:
Tumblestone is big on content, but it’s presentation, visuals, and audio only go so far, and are undoubtedly the weakest part of the game. It’s ridiculous how long it took me to get used to the crude artstyle and lazy backgrounds, and the sound design isn’t much greater either. Thankfully, it doesn’t completely distance the gameplay from it’s greatness.
Conclusion:
Tumblestone is the corner stone of what an eighth generation Match 3 game should be, even with one or two glaring flaws. It’s central ideas feel so invigorating in a more and more mobile generation, and Tumblestone takes the outsider path, to devastating effect for it’s competition.
Tumblestone gets a 8/10 (Very Good)
We’d like to thank The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild for giving us a code!
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