Match 4 Crush

*Not to be confused with Candy Crush match 3 game.*

***Match 4 Crush***, often referred to as ***Match 4***, is a match-4 video game developed by Heavensbee (also known as Heavensbee.games). It was publicly released on **12 December 2023** on mobile iOS and Android app stores. Match-4 is the advancement of match-3 puzzle games, the most prominent of which being **Candy Crush Saga (2012)**. The match 4 game design incorporates exclusive mechanics and level types, the computer implementation of which is complicated. Credit is given to the obnubilate game maker known only as 'Plutarch', an appellation not surprising, coming from Heavensbee. Ironically, the most relied upon collaborator at Heavensbee, is also the one most scrutinized. Much attention is spent ensuring Plutarch's designs don't become too complicated. 'It's about finding the sweet spot!' says Heavensbee games about Plutarch. The first ever match 4 logic engine used during gameplay mode is coded in C++. Later, it was converted to C# to be implemented in Unity, where the first versions of the game were built.

1. Story
2. Gameplay
3. Map
4. Level Types
5. Star Tally & Star-Bar-O-Meter
6. Level Gameplay Mode
7. Mechanics
8. Blockers
9. Candies
10. Desserts
11. Jelly & Garlic
12. Characters
13. Miscellaneous

## Story

Match 4 Crush is set in a magical sweet place called Candy Land. It is here we meet Plum, a humble spritely girl with lots of friends.

Plum is curious and wishes to taste all the tantalizing treats in Candy Land. She sets out alongside her mentor named Foxy and horse named Dakota. Candy Land is filled with so many divine dishes, the trio soon realize their journey may be an enjoyable one.

Help Plum savor all the tasty treats Candy Land has to offer. Let the adventure begin!

## Gameplay

Match 4 Crush is the evolution of match 3 gaming.

Each level has a different shaped board filled with candies of two to five different colors (red, green, blue, yellow, pink, purple, cyan, orange) and often obstacles called blockers. The basic move of the game consists of switching the positions of two adjacent candies. When matching colored candies create a pattern or shape they disappear, causing the candies above or diagonally to the side to collapse into the space left behind, often resulting in a chain reaction of matches called cascading. The level orders, or objectives of the game, must be met before the player runs out of moves. If the player succeeds at meeting the objective, then a dessert is randomly placed on the board for each remaining move on the scoreboard. A countdown process is initiated, followed by explosions and cascading, called a ‘Sugar Rush’.

## Map

The game consists of over 1000 levels laid linearly on a map. To play any level, the player must pass the previous level first. Previous unlocked (accessible) levels are toward the left while locked (inaccessible) levels are toward the right. As a player progresses they move toward the right.

A variety of mini-games offering Gold Bar prizes are available to play.

Gold Bars are the in-game currency and can be won, earned or purchased with money through the Gold Shop.

## Level Types

Each level is of a type, characterized by specific objectives. There are currently 8 different types of levels available.

Candy Order levels: Introduced at level 1. A specified number of candies of a particular color must be crushed within the allowed number of moves.

Jelly levels: Introduced at level 3. Each hex on the board is covered with one or more layers of jelly. When a candy occupying a hex is destroyed a layer of jelly is also removed from the hex. The player must remove all layers of jelly from all hexes on the board within the moves allowed.

Garlic Drop: Introduced at level 5. Special unmatchable and indestructible game pieces called ‘Garlic’ either populate or are dispensed onto the board. A specified number of Garlic must be transported to designated hexes at the bottom of the board to be collected, within the moves allowed.

Collect Order levels: Introduced at level 6. A list of blockers and their corresponding amounts must be cleared within the moves allowed.

JVC (Jelly vs Chocolate) levels: Introduced at level 18. It is a race to remove a set amount of jelly from the board before Chocolate fountains engulf everything with chocolate.

Fence levels: Introduced at level 14. A set number of fences must be cleared within the moves allowed.

Spiral levels: Introduced at level 7. A set number of spirals must be cleared within the moves allowed.

Mixed Mode levels: Introduced at level 16. Levels with objectives corresponding to multiple level types. Jelly/Garlic and Jelly/Collect orders are the most prevalent.

## Star Tally & Star-Bar-O-Meter

The star meter is located on the scoreboard and consists of three (3) empty stars and a progress bar.

During gameplay, as points are scored by crushing candies, the progress bar grows. Once the progress bar reaches any empty star, the empty star is filled. When a level is successfully completed the number of filled stars are added to the players star tally. When the player’s star tally equals the star-bar-o-meter, the stars from the players star tally are converted into a gold bar.

## Level Gameplay Mode

While a level is in progress, the gameplay mode interface is displayed, comprised of the board, the star meter, available boosters for use, the moves remaining , the objectives to complete, the level number and a ‘Settings’ button. The level can be exited by tapping the ‘Settings’ button, then tapping the red ‘Quit’ button.

The board size of each level is at most 16 rows X 11 columns. The board cells are hexagon in shape and create rows at 60 degree and 120 degree angles, while the columns are vertical. Players switch candies by swiping the screen or curser from the selected candy to the adjacent target candy. If the switch in successful the matched candies disappear and trigger a series of movements and interactions involving other candies and game pieces.

## Mechanics

Match 4 Crush is the first ever match 4 game. Playing the game involves crushing candies which is achieved by matching at least 4 candies into specific formations. The first type of formation is a single row of 4 or more same-colored candies.

The second type of formation is a single row of 3 or more same-colored candies crossing another single row of 3 or more same-colored candies at any angle and both rows are the same color.

The third type of formation is a star shape, either pointing up or down.

The fourth type of formation is a four-sided shape, either a diamond, or a left parallelogram, or a right parallelogram.

All star formation matches, all four-sided formation matches and all 4 in a row matches are comprised of 4 candies resulting in the destruction of the matched candies. All 3-in-a-row cross 3-in-a-row matches are comprised of 5 candies also resulting in the destruction of the matched candies.
A match comprised of 5-in-a-row or more same-colored candies is a special formation and creates desserts. A match comprised of 3-in-a-row or more cross 4-in-a-row or more is a special formation and creates desserts in a la carte levels.
In a la carte levels, 3-in-a-row cross 4-in-a-row creates a Mousse dessert or a Fool dessert.
In all levels 5-in-a-row creates a Fool dessert.
In all levels 4-in-a-row cross 4-in-a-row or 3-in-a-row cross 5-in-a-row creates a cherry cheesecake.
In all levels 6-in-a-row or 4-in-a-row or more cross 5-in-a-row or more creates a Trifle dessert.
In all levels 3-in-a-row cross 3-in-a-row cross 3-in-a-row or 7-in-a-row creates a Log Cone dessert.