Features

When we hear about a new match three or color matching game, we don’t expect to see anything new — just a different story and theme. Be prepared for a wonderful gem full of surprises in ZenGems. It’s not what you expect from color matching games — in fact, sometimes you’ll do better if you don’t make an instant match. And the audio is good, too.

Furthermore, most games come with two modes: adventure (story) and arcade (endless). Arcade mode typically resembles adventure mode except you just keep playing the game until it’s over. Not ZenGems. This one comes with three game modes. You can’t play adventure mode until you’ve finished level one in arcade mode — an unusual move as it’s usually the other way around or you don’t need to unlock it. To unlock Survival mode, complete level two in arcade mode.

The two modes, in most games, have the same objective with the only difference being story vs. play until you die. In ZenGems, Arcade mode has a different objective from adventure mode. Part of the game grid appears under water and your objective is to destroy the balls above the water until all of them fall below the water line.

Adventure mode’s goal is to destroy all of the diamonds. No water comes in play in this mode. Survival mode resembles most games’ arcade modes where play for as long as you can. Instead of being limited to areas you’ve unlocked — you can play any world — another ZenGems original approach to color matching games. Survival’s the game play resembles Adventure’s.

In the story, players assume the role of Hoshiko, a young man who works to recover the stolen medallions of virtue. His grandfather guides him through his journey. The game adds a touch of humor in the banter between grandfather and grandson at the end of a level. A world contains seven levels and upon the successful completion of a level, Hoshiko earns a piece of the medallion. Finishing the seven levels makes the medallion whole again.

The game play involves a grid of multiple-colored balls and gems. A new ball appears at the top of the screen in which you launch to drop the ball in a column to make a match. Any time you match at least three of the same colored balls in any direction, they dissolve. Anything above them falls to fill the voids to create more matches or break gems.

Along the way, you get special balls. Some balls will have an arrow pointing left or right, known as Pusher Balls. These will move the ball below to the left or the right based on the direction. It takes time to get the hang of it, but it changes the dynamics of color matching games.

Another power up is the ColorBurst Ball which converts an area of balls to match the color of the Colorburst ball. Then there’s the Energy Ball that vaporizes all balls matching the Energy Ball’s color in a single column. If there’s a gem in that column, it might break depending how far it falls. Fireballs also vanquish balls and blocks — but not gems. That would be too easy.

Players also contend with the Yama-O-Rakas, two fellows sitting on the bottom left and right of the grid adding new rows of balls to push everything up. If a ball or gem reaches the top, the game ends. Players must balance reaching the objective with preventing objects reaching the top. The grid contains barriers to make it harder to access balls and gems. The barriers change with each level — adding to the challenge.

The only trouble with the game is distinguishing Energy Balls, Colorburst Balls and regular balls. After playing enough, you’ll figure out a way to do this. However, it’s easy to mistakenly think you have a Colorburst when it’s an Energy Ball. ZenGems is a gem — and the most original of color matching games in a long time.

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System Requirements: Windows

• Windows 2000/XP/Vista
• Pentium III 800MHz or faster processor
• 256 MB RAM
• 8 MB video RAMscreen resolution
• 800×600 SVG minimum screen resolution
• DirectX 8.0 or later
• Sound card
• Mouse