Tropic Trouble Match 3 Builder

Players complete matching games to advance levels and work on survival-oriented tasks, such as building a house, but repetitive play and little info hurts the fun. The matching games of Tropic Trouble Match 3 Builder also tie into the island theme, as players try to find fish hidden beneath water, or free stones to make a bridge, by matching items that surround them on the board. They're fairly easy at first and fun to play, but they quickly get more challenging. The app does a good job of adding new elements to keep the game from getting boring.

Some gamers may have a hard time with later rounds; they can try again, though, if they can't complete a game before running out of moves. They'll also get hints if they hesitate before making a move -- which older kids might feel makes playing too easy. Being able to turn that feature off would be a nice option. Some players may also wish there was a bit more information about the big-picture goals involved in what they're trying to do. The list can be a little tricky to find, though -- it's accessed by clicking on a statue on the island -- and it doesn't offer much info on what each item relates to. In general, keeping track of what you're trying to earn and why can be somewhat confusing. You'll get items like nails, coconuts, or bamboo for finishing a matching game, which you're told you need to collect to upgrade buildings, and you're also told completing matching game rounds will help you fulfill additional goals, such as building a bridge. You don't really see a visual depiction of those tasks coming to fruition, though, which might help make things clear. Being able to see a map or other illustration that shows your progress and what's ahead would provide more context -- and might ensure that you remain interested in playing.