Gardenscapes is a casual game developed by game developer Playrix. It was first released in August 2016.
The Gardenscapes storyline follows the character of butler Austin, who returns to his childhood home to find it in a state of disarray. The once beautiful gardens are now neglected, overgrown and in disrepair. Austin decides to restore the gardens to their former glory and renovate the mansion.
There are mainly two ways to play this game:
Mini-Game: Players need to help Austin solve many puzzles, such as helping a mother and daughter get gold coins and charcoal, or helping small animals.
Match-3 Puzzles: The puzzle mode of Gardenscapes involves completing various levels of match-3 puzzles to earn stars, which are then used to restore the neglected garden. Players match three or more objects of the same color and type to complete objectives. Each level has a specific goal, such as clearing a certain number of tiles, collecting a certain number of items, or breaking obstacles. The puzzle boards are colorful and visually appealing, with a variety of fruits, flowers, and other items that players can match.
One of the key features is the power-ups and boosters that players can use to help them complete levels. For example, players can activate a bomb to clear a group of tiles or use a rainbow blast to eliminate all tiles of a certain color. These power-ups and boosters are earned through gameplay or can be purchased with in-game currency.
Players can use the gold coins obtained in the puzzle mode to buy decorations, plants and furniture to decorate the garden. The stars earned by the player can be used to complete various tasks required to restore the garden. These tasks include removing debris, planting flowers, mowing lawns and repairing damaged structures. As players progress through the game, new areas of the garden will be unlocked, allowing them to expand their creativity and design skills.
The game has a variety of plants, decorations and furniture that can be purchased using coins earned in Puzzle Mode. These items can be arranged and placed in the garden to create a unique and personalized environment. Players can also interact with items in the garden. For example, clicking on flowers allows Austin to water the plants, and clicking on stools allows Austin to sit on a bench to rest.
Here are some of my strategies for this game:
Observe the layout: Take the time to scan the board and look for potential matches before making a move. Try to create matches that cause chain reactions and create power-ups.
Use power-ups wisely: Power-ups are limited, so use them strategically. Save them to challenging levels or levels with difficult objectives.
Prioritize garden restoration: While match-3 puzzles are the main focus of the game, the ultimate goal is to restore the garden. Prioritize spending earned stars on tasks that enhance the beauty of your garden.
Highlights
The game process can be accelerated: Generally speaking, the pace of games like this kind of garden building is relatively slow. But Gardenscapes has a very special point that it can skip these specific processes. For example, when the players click on tasks such as building a fountain, building a flower pot, etc., they can choose to watch the construction process, or choose to skip it.
Engaging Gameplay: Gardenscapes is an engaging game. All of its levels are extremely challenging and are designed to keep players entertained while also exercising their minds.
Vibrant Graphics: One of the most striking aspects of the game is its graphics, which are colorful, vibrant, and highly detailed.
The game‘s graphics are designed to create a charming and inviting world, which players can explore and interact with. The graphics use a combination of 2D and 3D elements, with most of the gameplay taking place in a 2D environment. However, when players complete certain tasks, such as planting new flowers or trees, the graphics will switch to a 3D mode, giving players a more immersive experience.
Each element of the garden being meticulously crafted. From the grass and soil to the flowers and trees, everything in the game looks lifelike and authentic. The colors used in the game are also bright and vibrant, adding to the overall sense of warmth and friendliness.
Soft Soundtrack: Gardenscapes is also known for its lively soundtrack that perfectly complements the game‘s whimsical and relaxing atmosphere. Players will encounter different musical themes that are tied to specific areas and levels. For example, the music that plays during the Garden area is a soothing and calming track that features gentle piano and guitar melodies, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere that matches the lush and verdant surroundings.
Shortcomings
Limited game opportunities: The game limits the number of lives the player has, and once those lives are depleted, the player must wait for them to refill or buy more lives. Every time the player fails, one heart is lost. This can be frustrating for some players, especially those who want to play the game for a long time.
Summary
Gardenscapes is a charming and relaxing puzzle game that is perfect for casual gamers. The game‘s combination of match-3 gameplay, engaging characters, and beautiful graphics make it an enjoyable experience that is worth checking out.
