Art Stories: An Entertaining Match Three Game for Windows PC

There are a wide variety of match three games available for the PC, and the quality of unique gameplay in each can easily make or break a gamer's interest in the genre. Offering up a differing spin on gameplay comes Art Stories. The game, which offers non-stop match three entertainment, features seemingly countless levels and endless hours of gameplay, with match three fun and mini-games.

At the very core of Art Stories is traditional match three gameplay. Like most similar games, matching is done by selecting and swapping objects (in the case of Art Stories - shiny orbs) of various colors that are individually placed in a square on a grid of squares. Two objects are swapped with each other, and a match is made when objects of a similar color form a row of three or more. The more matching colors in a row during a swap will earn more points, and objects that are matched successfully are removed from play. The secondary goal of the game is to eliminate plates that occupy various squares that underlie the colored orbs - all in order to progress to the next level. Creating a match on squares without plates earns points, while creating a match on squares with plates earns both points and eliminates the underlying plate. Gameplay becomes more challenging when multiple plates are stacked upon each other, requiring multiple matches to be made using that square. Special objects add to the fun with the release of unique powers during a match - such as exploding and destroying all objects within a radius.

Art Stories also features artistically whimsical stories in the form of mini-game challenges. The fact that the mini-games are presented within the flow of the game rather than just being a random optional side event provides additional fun to the overall experience. For the most part, the challenges are based on acquiring matches of the colored orbs in order to gain powers to use in the mini-game. The first challenge, for example, has the player making matches in order to fight an enemy pirate ship. Matching and collecting red colored orbs will gain the user firepower for the cannon - for attack, and collecting blue colored orbs will gain the player water to put out fires caused by successful hits from the attacking foe. Players also have the ability to test their performance via a built-in trophy awards system.

Art Stories is one of the better recent match three games to be found with gameplay that can appeal to gamers of any experience level. Seasoned match three players will find the game stimulating, while others will likely find the game to be quite challenging. Presented with rich graphics and high quality music and sound, gamers will find an enjoyable casual game well worth its low price investment. Developed by the IBA Group, the game is available for purchase online at Big Fish Games.