Tilescapes: Zen Tile Matching 4+

Tilescapes could be a great puzzle game—it’s visually appealing, and the decorating aspect adds a nice layer of engagement. The match-three gameplay is challenging and well designed, which is enjoyable, and I appreciate the effort to include customization options. However, there are some major drawbacks.

First, the game’s balance could use work. After a certain point, it’s impossible to progress without using every tool and bonus you’ve saved up. The challenges stop being fun and instead seem tailored to force you into spending money on in-game boosters, (which quickly drains the fun or your funds). I’ve played similar tile-matching games and reached high levels without feeling “stuck” in this way.

Ads are another big issue. Not only do you have to watch ads to unlock colors and other features, but even the $5.99 price doesn’t eliminate all of them, which feels unreasonable. There’s also a distracting ad banner at the bottom of the screen that makes it hard to focus on the gameplay itself.

Tilescapes has potential, but as it is, the game feels a bit like it prioritizes profit over player experience. A bit more attention to fairness in level design and an option to fully remove ads could make a big difference for players like me, who enjoy a challenge but don’t want to feel forced into extra spending.

This game is a great way to kill time. I love playing it. But it is completely rigged after you achieve a certain level. The “special events” are impossible past level ~20 unless you use “cheats”. And the rooms you can design stop after a certain point. The normal games will randomly add tiles to the background out of no where, and the total tile count you see doesn’t add up. E.g. you’ll have one or two of a tile selected, and there will be only eight tiles visible on the screen…and then randomly more tiles will appear in some random area based off of your play/select…the tiles don’t add up and you cannot play strategically… I get it, it’s an intentional strategy on their part, making the games “almost” solvable, and I’m fine spending a little money on games, but this one takes the cake on rigging. Especially when it comes to the special games. Also - you’ll finally pass a level that was impossible (using cheats, of course) and you’ll be rewarded with flowers - except, there are no rooms to decorate. I have THOUSANDS Of flowers and no rooms to design. Seems like they’re too busy making “special” games to play and not focusing on the zen aspect.

I’ve been playing a long time and really like it, relaxing and normally just challenging enough. So I don’t mind spending some money on the game - it’s worth it. And I really like the variety of the new events, but they are soooo hard that by level 20 there are rounds I can’t get through, even with lots of help moves. I recently purchased the piggy bank and spent all the coins in one level and still didn’t pass that level. I also bought the VIP and used tons of the prizes and still only got through a couple levels. I want to play but it gets too expensive and too frustrating. I hope those special events can be adjusted to be a little less hard. Thanks for a great game