THE WILD WEST ISN'T SO WILD IN THE AFTERLIFE
"Saddle Up, Shut Up and Hold On Tight", partner, the Ghosts of Laruaville are rebuilding the Wild West! The newest BandiGhost may have crossed over but he still has an itchy trigger finger and he's dying to rob the train...cuz that's what he does, well, that's what he did before the "incident" ;0 I wonder if the Wanted Posters say "WANTED: Dead or Undead?"
You can play in a Relaxed Mode, a Limited Moves, or a Limited Time Mode. After each Match 3 level, you can play a Hidden Object Scene, or a mini-game, such as Blocks, Mahjong, or my personal favorite, Spot the Difference with differences that aren't as obvious as you'd expect! You can skip the mini-games (and there is a Hint feature with no penalties) There is also a Hint feature on the Match 3 levels that point to the main goal's feature, and of course, they have a Strategy Guide Booklet that explains every feature, including a Tips & Tricks section which is incredibly invaluable.
Laruaville is one of my favorite Match 3 games because you don't have to strain your brain to complete the level goals, and the goal of every level is simple...collect all the coins. Collecting these coins, however, can be incredibly challenging because this developer (LGT-SIA) is a master craftsman when it comes to M3 game mechanics. He is the one who blazes the path for other developers to follow because he's constantly creating unique and challenging features.
There are plenty of obstacles to make the goal more difficult, but overcoming those obstacles only matters if they prevent you from getting to the coins because getting the coins is all that matters.
There are several types of Coins available:
•Gold Coins: requires an adjacent match to collect.
•Frozen Coins: requires activating fires.
•Half Coins: requires joining 2 halves by making matches between the two halves.
•Locked Coins: requires bringing the key to the coin by making matches in front of the key to create a path.
•Coin Molds: requires guiding liquid gold to the mold to form a coin.
Every level is unique and requires a different strategy, figuring out that strategy really appeals to my inner puzzle geek! The Obstacles are usually different for each board or area within the level and the multi-layered strategy requirements are what make the game challenging. In my opinion, Laruaville is a well-rounded game, it's easier than Cursed House and Spellarium, yet still challenging enough to keep boredom at bay.
Power-ups will destroy most obstacles as well:
•Crates: requires an adjacent match to remove.
•Shielded Crates: requires an adjacent match on the unshielded portion. (rockets work too)
•Petals: requires an adjacent match to remove.
•Clay: requires power-up or explosion to destroy.
•Stone: requires power-up or explosion to destroy.
•Fog: requires an adjacent match to remove.
•Ice: requires a match 3 of whichever tile is trapped in the ice.
•Chains: requires a match 3 of whichever tile is chained.
•Keys: requires moving towards a locked coin by matching in between.
•Portals: requires moving the key to the key portals (portals also move drops and fire)
•Vials: requires filling with purple drops by matching vertically.
•Wooden Walls: requires an adjacent match to remove.
•Stone Walls: requires several adjacent matches to remove.
•Gem Stone Walls: cannot be destroyed.
•Torches: spread fire to melt snow, ice, etc. by making adjacent matches.
Large Matches will earn Power-ups on the board, however, there are times when a Power-up can hurt rather than help (read the Tips & Tricks Book) Most power-ups can be moved or double-clicked to activate.
•Small Rocket: (match 5) vertical OR horizontal line busters (right-click to direct)
•Large Rocket: selects a target in order of importance.
•Bombs: explodes with an adjacent match (usually w/ a chain reaction)
•Cannons: requires an adjacent match on the Red Cell to activate.
The Coins you earn are used to reconstruct the Old West town for the newest Laruaville guest, a Ghostly Bandit who can't wait to plan the biggest heist of his life...er, afterlife? This poor ghostly cowboy can't seem to comprehend that a Ghost has no need for money...he doesn't even have pockets!
