Gardenscapes

Gardenscapes is a popular free-to-play puzzle game developed and published by Playrix. Released in 2016, the game combines match-3 puzzle mechanics with city-building and restoration elements. Players take on the role of a character who inherits a neglected garden and must restore it to its former glory.

The core gameplay loop involves solving match-3 puzzles to earn stars. These stars are then used to complete various tasks, such as planting flowers, cleaning debris, and decorating the garden. As players progress through the puzzles and complete tasks, they unlock new areas of the garden, acquire new decorative items, and advance the game's storyline. The narrative often revolves around characters the player meets and the history of the estate.

Gardenscapes features a variety of puzzle mechanics within the match-3 levels, including special power-ups created by matching more than three items. These power-ups help players clear more tiles and achieve higher scores. The game also incorporates elements of a hidden object game in certain stages, adding another layer to the gameplay.

Beyond the core puzzle and restoration mechanics, Gardenscapes includes social features allowing players to connect with friends, share lives, and compete in events. The game is known for its bright, colorful graphics and engaging, albeit often repetitive, gameplay loop. It is available on mobile platforms, including iOS and Android.