TECHMASH

Tag: #Match3

  • Match, Refine, Reward — Great Cloud: Aether Refiner Opens Closed Playtest!

    Match, Refine, Reward — Great Cloud: Aether Refiner Opens Closed Playtest!

    Swap, smelt, and soar! UK-based independent studio The Great Cloud has officially kicked off a closed playtest for Great Cloud: Aether Refiner, a fresh twist on the match-3 puzzle formula arriving free on Android via Google Play this autumn.

    Not Just Any Match-3 — Refine, Don’t Vanish

    Here’s the twist: line up three or more, and pieces don’t just disappear — they refine into higher-grade materials, turning simple ores into gleaming ingots and powerful blades. It’s a satisfying loop that builds as you play, with over 2,000 levels spread across 67 chapters — and every single one is mathematically proven beatable without spending a penny.

    • No lives, no energy, no timers — play at your own pace, as long as you like
    • Offline play supported — refine aether anywhere, anytime
    • Fight back against corruption — face off against Cinder Stalkers, Lens Sentries, and Spore Artillerists who lock pieces, steal moves, and disrupt your board
    • Fair & friendly model — completely free; in-app purchases are cosmetic boosters and fixed-content packs, no random loot boxes
    • Cloud save + 43 achievements — pick up where you left off and earn your laurels across devices

    Join the Playtest — Perks Included!

    The closed playtest is open now for Android players. Sign up at the official playtest page, and testers who complete the process and share feedback will receive an exclusive paid board theme plus a booster pack — free — at launch.

    Table

    DetailInfo
    StudioThe Great Cloud (United Kingdom)
    PlatformAndroid (Google Play)
    PlaytestOpen now — sign up at https://thegreatcloudgame.life/refiner/playtest/
    Full ReleaseAutumn 2026
    PriceFree (optional non-random IAPs)

    Ready to Forge Your Path?

    Whether you’re a casual puzzler or a seasoned match-master, Aether Refiner brings depth, fairness, and beauty to your pocket. Sign up today, help shape the game, and keep those exclusive rewards when it launches this autumn.

    Find out more here

    #GreatCloud #AetherRefiner #TheGreatCloud #PuzzleGame #Match3 #IndieDev #UKGames #AndroidGaming #FreeToPlay #TechMash

  • Match Spells, Master the Elements — Five Elements Chess Out Now Everywhere!

    Match Spells, Master the Elements — Five Elements Chess Out Now Everywhere!

    Where match-3 meets mystical strategy — and you can duel anyone, anywhere! Candleman Games, the acclaimed studio behind Candleman and Exhausted Man, has released Five Elements Chess worldwide across PC, consoles, and mobile, complete with seamless cross-platform online multiplayer.

    Simple to learn, deep to master — and beautifully calm.

    What Is Five Elements Chess?

    It’s a spell-duel board game that fuses match-3 mechanics with the ancient philosophy of the Five Elements: Fire, Water, Wood, Earth, and Metal. Match three or more of the same element to channel its power — but true mastery lies in understanding how they generate, nourish, and overcome one another.

    • Match elements ? cast spells — offensive strikes, defensive wards, healing, and counterplays
    • Elemental synergy — Water feeds Wood, Wood fuels Fire, Fire creates Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal channels Water
    • “Excess becomes reversal” — push too far, and strength turns to weakness. Turn your opponent’s overcharge against them
    • Single-player cultivation mode — learn the ways, face AI masters, hone your skills
    • Cross-platform PvP — challenge friends and strangers across every device

    Platforms & Pricing

    PlatformAvailabilityPrice
    PC (Steam)Out Now£12.99 ($14.99)
    PS4 / PS5Out Now£12.99 ($14.99)
    Xbox One / Series X|SOut Now£12.99 ($14.99)
    Nintendo Switch29 September 2026 (NA/EU)£12.99 ($14.99)
    Mobile (iOS + Android)Out NowFree to play base game — £3.49 unlocks full version

    Cross-platform online play supported across all devices — no matter what your opponent plays, you can duel them

    Why It Stands Out

    From the creators of the atmospheric puzzle-platformer Candleman comes something entirely different — yet unmistakably crafted with the same care:

    • Zen, meditative visuals — serene, minimalist art style that calms as you strategise
    • 5-minute duels — quick enough for a break, deep enough to lose hours mastering
    • Perfectly balanced — equal parts strategy and controlled chance; no match is entirely decided by luck
    • Local & online — pass-and-play on the sofa or ranked matches across the globe
    • Accessible — pick up in minutes; no prior knowledge of match-3 or elemental theory needed

    Ready to Channel Your Elements?

    Dive in today — whether you’re on your phone, relaxing on the sofa, or at your desk. The board is set, the elements are waiting, and your next opponent could be anyone, anywhere.

    Find out more here

    #FiveElementsChess #CandlemanGames #Match3 #StrategyGame #CrossPlatform #ZenGaming #PuzzleGame #IndieDev #SpellDuel #MobileGaming #techmash

  • Henshin! Solo-Dev Gem ‘Match Morphosis’ Drops Massive Demo Update for Steam Cyberpunk Fest

    Henshin! Solo-Dev Gem ‘Match Morphosis’ Drops Massive Demo Update for Steam Cyberpunk Fest

    If you love indie games that defy genres, bold aesthetics, and impressive solo-developer feats, put this on your radar immediately.

    Starting today, Steam is hosting its first-ever Cyberpunk Fest, celebrating high-tech, low-life games across the platform. Joining the lineup is Match Morphosis: Match-3 Roguelike—a unique fusion of match-3 mechanics, deckbuilding strategy, and tokusatsu (think Kamen Rider) flavour.

    To celebrate the event, solo developer Ernes has released the biggest update yet to the game’s free public demo, complete with fresh key art and sleek new store assets.

    Here is why this indie title deserves a spot on your Steam Wishlist right now.

    What is Match Morphosis?

    At its core, Match Morphosis takes the addicting, fast-paced puzzle loops of classic match-3 games and fuses them with the deep, tactical decisions of a roguelike deckbuilder.

    Set in a vibrant, neon-drenched cyberpunk world, you play as a hero transforming (henshin!) to battle cybernetic threats. Instead of just swapping tiles for points, your matches trigger powerful abilities, charge up equipment, and activate deck-based combat combos.

    Built from Scratch: A True Solo Technical Marvel

    What makes Match Morphosis even more impressive behind the scenes is how it was built.

    Rather than relying on mainstream commercial engines like Unity or Unreal, developer Ernes built the game using a fully custom C game engine. Creating a custom engine in C for a feature-rich roguelike deckbuilder is no small feat—it allows for incredibly lightweight performance, pixel-perfect precision, and absolute control over the game’s snappy mechanics.

    What’s New in the Steam Cyberpunk Fest Demo?

    If you haven’t tried the free demo yet—or if it’s been a while since your last run—now is the ideal time to jump back in. The latest update marks the most substantial demo upgrade since launch, featuring:

    • Rebalanced Gameplay & Mechanics: Refined match-3 combat loops and streamlined deckbuilding options.
    • Fresh Visuals: A complete overhaul of key art and store graphics to match the game’s bold, high-octane aesthetic.
    • Performance Enhancements: Smooth-as-silk updates driven by the game’s custom C engine.

    Check Out the Free Demo Today

    Whether you’re a fan of Slay the Spire, Puzzle Quest, or old-school Saturday morning hero shows, Match Morphosis offers a fresh take on tactical puzzling.

    Head over to Steam during Steam Cyberpunk Fest to download the free demo, test out your transformation powers, and don’t forget to hit that Wishlist button to support solo indie dev!

    Find out more here

    #MatchMorphosis #SteamCyberpunkFest #IndieDev #GameDev #Roguelike #Match3 #KamenRider #TechMash #IndieGame #PCGaming