[b]engineering: mystery of the ancient clock[/b] is a match-3 from 2009. it's of the line-sliding variety (or whatever it's called), so plays like [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/dohi64/recommended/227580]10000000[/url], [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/dohi64/recommended/290890]you must build a boat[/url], or the developer's own [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2338130/]akhra: the treasures[/url].
the in-game help explains the basics and the story in spotty english, but basically you're collecting parts of a clock. quick actions mean more points, matching bonuses grant more time, score, explosions or whatever. moving a row or column is only possible if it creates a match, which is match-3 101, but it took me a minute to realize here. also, [b]matches don't have to be in a straight line or the usual shapes, any 3+ same-colored connected tile works[/b].
there are [b]2 game modes, mid-level progress is saved in both[/b]. [i]big game[/i] (cute) is the [b]story with 33 levels, each followed by a 'click moving things fast' stage[/b]. ugh... [i]fast game[/i] turned out to be not fast at all, it's endless mode. [b]all 3 unexplained difficulty levels are timed[/b] (not applicable to 'fast game'). no level select, but they're all the same with higher goals, wouldn't be much point.
you'd expect the usual quality in presentation at least, these devs are no strangers to that either, but this game [b]doesn't look or sound great[/b]. servicable graphics, good enough music, disappointing sound effects, and [b]the story is not even illustrated, just text dumps[/b] (though the main menu background reflects progress with slight changes, that's nice at least). what's more, [b]pop-up texts with score and bonuses constantly cover the board[/b].
since it's almost as ancient as the title suggests, [b]it runs in 1024x768[/b], changing monitor resolution when it's in full screen. multiple player profiles and the usual settings, also available while playing: separate volumes, game cursor, fixed windowed mode (also 1024x768), and the dev's trademark 'next' button in every window instead of 'close' or 'ok'. [b]a hint toggle would've been nice[/b], as always. plus an untimed mode and skippable 'click fast' levels.
while this sliding match-3 variety is the least common on pc, overall it's [b]way too basic and repetitive with no real redeeming qualities[/b].
