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Gelex (iOs) Review

 
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At a Glance...
 

Formats: iOs
 
Genre:
 
Year:
 
Developer:
 
Final Score
7.0
7/ 10


User Rating
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We liked?


A fun mashup of match three, Tetris, and physics games, all in one addicting package.

Not so much?


The controls aren't super intuitive.


Final Fiendish Findings?

Gelex is an interesting take on traditional match three gaming; adding an element of newness to a beloved game. The bright, colorful blocks feature a variety of facial expressions, adding an bit of fun. While I found the rotation control to be less than ideal, the game itself is a great concept. Once I got a little more used to the controls, I found myself easily lost in a fun mashup of several of my favorite types of puzzle games, all in one convenient package.

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Posted April 17, 2013 by

 
Full Fiendish Findings...
 
 

What do you get if you put Tetris and Bejeweled in a blender and hit puree? mzl.sgqzyjot.320x480-75

Gelex, from developer Pavel Barak, is described as a traditional match three type game with physics elements. Recently launched on iOs, it seeks to add a new element to an old classic. For gamers sick of the same old thing, Gelex seems to offer just the right blend of beloved puzzle gaming and tricky physics. But does it all work together, or is this just another experiement gone wrong?

The official story behind Gelex is that an absent minded physicist has created a new type of matter that is driving him insane and must be destroyed. Of course, like the majority of puzzle games, the story really doesn’t add to the game, nor does it bother you with cutscenes or anything to advance it. Gelex is a game meant to stand on its own with the gameplay.

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The concept here is simple. Like most match three games, you need get three or more blocks of the same color together in order to make a match. Like Tetris, these gel blocks fall from the top of the screen, and if your stack reaches the top line, it’s game over for you.  The blocks fall in groups of three, and in various configurations, so you’ll need to rotate them and slide them around in order to get the best placement.

The biggest difference to what you’re used to is that the blocks do not fall or lay in a fixed line. Set them down off-center, and you may end up stacking the blocks on the diagonal. Setting them down with force, and they’ll bounce back up in the air or to the side, at times taking the blocks below with them. When done correctly, this is a great way to get rid of some of your already stacked blocks. When done incorrectly, those blocks can bounce up to the top of the screen and you’ll end up with a game over.

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The controls are deceptively simple. You have control of one set of blocks at a time. Moving your finger around the screen moves those blocks. Putting two fingers on the screen will rotate them. Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan of the two finger rotation, both because it wasn’t real intuitive and I couldn’t use my stylus. Tap rotation would be a nice option. Beyond that, though, I did find myself falling into the game rather quickly. As you advance, more colors get added into the rotation, making it even harder to make a match, all while your stack moves ever closer to the top. It makes for some fast paced, frantic action as you try to keep things under control.

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Gelex is an interesting take on traditional match three gaming; adding an element of newness to a beloved game. The bright, colorful blocks feature a variety of facial expressions, adding an bit of fun. While I found the rotation control to be less than ideal, the game itself is a great concept. Once I got a little more used to the controls, I found myself easily lost in a fun mashup of several of my favorite types of puzzle games, all in one convenient package.


Amy

 
U.S. Senior Editor & Deputy EIC, @averyzoe on Twitter, mother of 5, gamer, reader, wife to @macanthony, and all-around bad-ass (no, not really)


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