Old Clockmaker’s Riddle HD for iPad Review

Gear Diary is independently owned and operated. We receive compensation through advertising and from the companies whose products we review, usually in the form of the reviewed product. We test the products supplied to us, and the opinions expressed are our own.

Gear Diary is also reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

Old Clockmakers Riddle_1

Type of app: Match-3 Puzzle Adventure game
Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store

Developer: DAVA Inc. / G5 Entertainment
Description:

? Over 50 amazing levels to play
? 25 adorable houses to save from ruin
? 25 challenging mini-games to master
? 12 powerful upgrades and five magic tools
? Two game modes: relaxed and timed
? Game Center Support
? iPhone 5 support

Old Clockmakers Riddle_5

Major features: I admit to expecting Old Clockmaker’s Riddle to be a standard story-based Hidden Object game. But after I started reading the description I was thrilled to see the Match-3 gameplay tied to an interesting story. You find a letter that leads you to a dead down that has utterly stopped, and you need to find gems and clock hands hidden in the houses of town to ‘restart’ them and get to the point of fixing the clock and restarting the town.

The core gameplay is called ‘Match-3’, as popularized in Bejeweled. You match three colored gems in a row to remove them from the board, causing the ones above to collapse into the open spaces. Matching four or more gives added bonuses, as does matching multiple sets of gems simultaneously. The game has numerous ways of rewarding you, such as a super-match mode, and at the end of each story puzzle you can attempt a bonus puzzle for even more rewards.

These rewards help you buy power-ups, which you will need to get past obstacles. As you progress you find that certain gems cannot be matched, and others are locked in place. With your power-ups you can smash your way through obstacles to help you win the round.

The game is playable in a ‘relaxed’ or ‘timed’ mode, but there is no ‘endless mode’ or gameplay outside of the story. The story mode will last for several hours across more than 50 levels. The character interactions and story details make the experience more fun and help the time fly past.

Ease of use/Overall performance: You can think of Old Clockmaker’s Riddle as ‘Bejeweled meets Mystery Case Files’. You have a story-based mystery, you have a solid Match-3 gameplay system, and you have plenty of added mini-games. The visual effects are also very well done, and most cues will be familiar to anyone who has played a Match-3 game in the past.

Would use again/recommend?: Absolutely! I have adored the Match-3 genre since Bejeweled and still play Puzzle Quest regularly. Mixing up the genre and putting it into a story based adventure makes it more fun!

Suggested changes/wish list for updates: Nothing.

Price: $6.99 ($4.99 for iPhone) – but for January 24th they are on sale for $2.99/$4.99 for iPhone/iPad.

Here is the trailer:

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Michael Anderson
I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!