Gem Cascade A free match 3 game with a turning current
Swap cut gems to match three, chain cascades and build special gems, while a turning current makes gems flow sideways.
About Gem Cascade
Gem Cascade is a free online match 3 puzzle game you can play in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer. Swap two neighbouring gems to line up three or more of the same kind. The line shatters, the gems around it flow in to fill the gap, new gems pour in from the edge, and if the falling gems line up again you get a cascade that scores more with every step.
The twist is the current. An arrow on the rim of the board shows which way gems flow, and from level 6 the current turns every few moves: down, then left, then up, then right. A dial counts down the moves to the next turn, so you can plan ahead. When gems fall sideways, columns become rows, a match you set up for later can suddenly come from a new direction, and the edge you are racing towards moves.
Each level has a goal and a move limit: collect a number of gems of one colour, crack every crust tile on the board, score a target, or deliver relics. Relics are old treasures that cannot be matched; clear the gems in front of them so the current carries them to the downstream edge, which changes every time the current turns. Stones stay put and gems pile up against them. Every gem colour has its own cut (heart, square, triangle, hexagon, drop and oval), so the board is easy to read for colour-blind players too.
Match four in a line to make a Line gem that clears its row or column. An L or T shape makes a Burst gem that clears a 3 by 3 square. Five in a line makes a Prism: swap it with any gem to clear every gem of that colour. Swap two special gems together for a bigger combo, such as a cross of two lines or a prism that turns a whole colour into specials.
Tips: look at the dial before every move and set up matches for the direction the current is about to take. Make matches low on the board, in the downstream direction, to start more cascades. Save special gems and swap two of them together when you need a big clear. To deliver a relic, clear the gems between it and the edge rather than chasing points.
The journey has 20 hand-made levels across four regions, from Glass Falls to Ember Rift, and after that the deep levels go on without end: each one is generated from its number, so level 37 is the same for everyone. Earn up to three stars per level, unlock new board frames with your stars, chase seven achievements and climb the leaderboards for the journey total and the deepest level reached. A level takes two to four minutes, the game plays instantly with no download, and your progress saves automatically.
How to play
Swipe a gem towards a neighbour to swap them, or tap one gem and then a neighbour. With a mouse, drag a gem onto a neighbour or click both. With a keyboard, move the cursor with the arrow keys or WASD, press Space or Enter to pick up a gem, then an arrow key to swap; H shows a hint, P or Esc pauses and M mutes. Line up three or more of a kind to clear them and reach the level's goal before the moves run out. The arrow on the board's rim shows which way gems flow, and the dial shows how many moves until the current turns.
Controls and devices
- Controls: Touch, Mouse, Keyboard
- Works on: phones, tablets and computers
- Screen: portrait orientation
- Price: free, no download or sign-up
FAQ
- Why do the gems fall sideways?
- From level 6 the current turns every few moves, in the order down, left, up, right. Gems always flow the way the arrow on the board's rim points, and the dial next to it counts down the moves until the next turn.
- How do I deliver relics?
- Relics can't be matched. Clear the gems between a relic and the downstream edge, the edge the current flows towards, and the relic flows along with the gems. It is delivered when it reaches that edge. When the current turns, the edge moves too.
- How does scoring work?
- A match of three scores 30, four scores 60, an L or T shape 80 and five in a line 100. Every gem a special gem clears adds 10. Each cascade step in the same move multiplies the points, up to four times, and every move you have left when you finish a level adds 150.
- What happens if there are no moves left on the board?
- The game checks after every move. If no swap can make a match, the gems are reshuffled for free, so you are never stuck on a dead board.
- Does my progress save?
- Yes. Your stars, best scores and the furthest level you reached are saved automatically on this device, and to your account when you are signed in.
- Is Gem Cascade free, and does it work on iPhone?
- Yes. It is free to play in any modern browser on Android phones, iPhone, iPad and computers, with touch, mouse or keyboard.
Credits
- Game design, code, art and sound: Playora Games