The issue with Match-3 games

[Silver]

The major issue is the life/energy system.

You can only realistically get so far before you hit the paywall. If you're like me and you're not going to spend real money on a mobile game, you practically have to use upwards of ten or more lives just to pass a single level. When it takes half an hour just to refresh one life, knowing that most people have lives outside of casual gaming, it could take days just to pass a single level.

One good thing I am happy to have discovered are those match-3 games that are not reliant on the life/energy system.

Here are three I particularly have enjoyed:

Classic:
Jewel Mash

Bubble:
Bubble Shooter

Cube:
Jewel Blast

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I get round that by not being a gamer. It’s amazing the amount of frustration you can avoid.

Boru

[Sal]

Good games are built around 3 layers of game-loops (or more) around a central story (side-quests do not need apply). What OP is describing is basically a Skinner box.

[brewer]

Meat and 2 veg.

What do I win?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Meat and 2 veg.

What do I win?

A watch and chain.

Boru