Switchcraft: Magical Match 3

Both the mystery storyline and matching game aspect of this app are well-executed. In Switchcraft: Magical Match 3, kids move back and forth between games and scenes where the main character, Bailey, gathers clues and investigates who may have been involved in her friend's disappearance. Kids need to complete the matching games to earn Magicka crystals, which are required to view scenes. They can either play a game to earn a crystal, and spend it right away on a scene, or complete several games in a row, bank crystals, and then watch scenes consecutively. The match-3 games strike a good balance between being challenging but not overly complex. Introducing new ways to combine items on the board to create bombs and other elements -- along with adding new goals, like getting an item to sink to the bottom while working around stationery objects -- keeps playing consistently interesting. Although kids aren't directly told what the currency they're earning is for, most other aspects of the app are easy to navigate. They can click on a magic mirror at any point to check where they are in the story, and if they get stuck in games, potential combinations on the board will wiggle as a hint.

While story segments involve lots of reading, there are interactive elements, like choosing actions that affect the plot. Players will also occasionally be asked to swipe on the screen to rub on a crystal ball or uncover something that's hidden, or trace a shape with their finger to cast a spell. Some of the ways magic is tied in feels forced -- such as one character saying the matching games are a type of meditation witches use to focus. Plus, the emphasis on witchcraft, magic, and plot points like a teenager's disappearance may not be something parents are thrilled with, But the app has some notably positive aspects, like handling of serious topics like mental health, depression, social stress, and general anxiety. The consistently challenging games, playing without restrictions, and serious subject matter that's thoughtfully addressed help make Switchcraft: Magical Match 3 a notch above a number of other games in its genre.