Spellfall Review

Combining Match-3 style gameplay with RPG elements is nothing new but, fortunately, you should enjoy Spellfall sufficiently that you won't really mind that. At least, assuming you can look past some increasingly irritating in-app purchases.

There's a storyline somewhere within Spellfall, but just assume that there are badguys and monsters to kill as well as plenty of experience to gain. Combat is simple yet satisfying, with you matching tiles together to clear them and hopefully setting off a chain reaction or two. Unlike other Match-3 games, you're not restricted with where you place gems. You can move them around anywhere you want, even if they don't immediately form a match. It'll take a few turns to truly realize how convenient that is, but soon enough you'll be setting up massive combos through this method.

You can build up the use of spells such as poison attacks or a healing ability by combining particular colors of gems and further adding to the strategy involved. Ultimately though, Spellfall is pretty simple yet fun on this side of things.

Outside of combat there's a plethora of ways in which one can equip new gear and abilities, to the point that it's a bit cluttered. While combat might be simply figured out, the menus elsewhere aren't quite as welcoming. This is also where you realize just how vast in number and price the in-app purchases are. Some weapons cost an extortionate amount, although they can be eventually gained by playing every day for a few weeks.

What feels less kind is the fact that you have to wait it out to heal up a little too frequently, or pay to speed up your regeneration. You can use a healing spell/rune to help improve the situation but there's a certain amount of grinding involved here. A one-off fee would have been so much better here for those wanting to avoid such irritants. Similarly, upon defeat you can buy your way back in for $0.99, which seems a little steep for a simple one-off continue.

Dodge past these expensive distractions and Spellfall is a fun experience, but it's something to be cautious of. Sometimes it feels a little too over the top for comfort.