

It’s the game’s brick wall and it comes very early: That particular level is #29, and if you Google for tips (as I sheepishly did), it seems to be the most-searched level in the game at this point.


And that same opponent is magically able to put together incredible, multi-step chains too. Sure, until all of your strategic moves are nullified by the opponent’s turn. When pieces are cleared from the bottom, the candy in your half falls into the lower half, and you alternate turns. opponents’ sticky stuff all across the bottom. You’ll find a screen split in the middle, with your jelly slathered across the top pieces and your A.I. It doesn’t take long before the competitive mode proves utterly infuriating. “Aw shucks, the level is designed to be near-impossible, but don’t you want to spend some money anyway?” While it’s the biggest twist seen here, it’s also the most naked example to date that you’re often playing against a stacked deck in this series. But the biggest addition here comes with head-to-head battles against a computer-controlled opponent, with both of you fighting to dominate the screen with your vast jelly trail. In other levels, you’ll need to expose little candy creatures hiding behind multi-layered barriers, which is similar to a mode from Soda Saga. Cover every inch before you run out of moves, and mission, accomplished. At least part of the cleared chain has to connect to a square that’s already doused with jam, so you’re essentially spreading it around the screen. Where Jelly Saga deviates from its predecessors is in the implementation of its titular goop: In many stages, you’re tasked with covering the entire surface of the board with jelly by clearing a piece from each square. Where are the Pufflers? Swimming under the layered barriers and evading you with every move. Made billions and billions of dollars perfecting that feedback loop, and it shines here early on as well. Candy Crush is easy to learn and play, and like the sugary snacks it depicts, the game can be rather addictive, too: You start whipping through levels, building up big combos as the game praises your obviously planned maneuvers, and it feels good. Everything is vibrantly depicted with eye-popping gloss, and even the backing music is ultra-catchy.
