Crystal Storm Review

Match 3 games are all the rage on mobile devices, spreading across genders, generations, and lifestyles in terms of their popularity. But as far as its appeal to "core" mobile gamers, the style is usually passed off as something parents or young kids play. Developers certainly seem to love to make these games as they can usually work as a money pit for freemium models or simple time wasters fit to burn any precious moments of time.

Crystal Storm is another Match-3 games that allows players to match 3 or more jewels; creating bodacious combos and hearing little dings and other noises that create a Pavlovian response each time they do something good. Crystal Storm has also added the element of a Middle Eastern theme involving Aladdin, genie lamps, and the Sheikh. None of this does much to add anything substantial however, as it's still a match-3 title that has just a little added to it.

This game does of course, have a couple of little things that separate it from other match-3 titles. Crystal Storm has numerous different "runes." These runes (a.k.a. power ups) give players the opportunity to zap jewels if they aren't able to make a match, or for other tactical reasons. Players unlock various runes through their progress in the game or they can be unlocked through paid options.

While Crystal Storms doesn't bring anything particularly unique or special, it still has the charm that many match-3 games have. For one, this title is terribly addicting - making players, regardless of their level of love for this genre, want to play more. But what truly makes this a game that will give people a need to come back is the fact that it has little sub-missions within the various levels; different tasks or goals that must be met in addition to just matching up jewels. This is where Crystal Storm actually has an ace up its sleeve, making it a more worthwhile game.

Crystal Storm doesn't bring anything all that special to gamers as it is another match-3 title. It's a game involving jewels that players match up and score combos in, but other than an Arabian Nights motif it doesn't really do anything that's going to help it compete against titles from bigger names like King or PopCap - aside for a couple of neat tricks. Crystal Storm will get players addicted, but then they've probably seen most of this gameplay somewhere else before. Still, it is worthy of attention, even if it's mostly unoriginal.