Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Bewitched offers a familiar yet satisfying match-three puzzle experience, tasking players with swapping colorful gems to form lines of three or more. The core mechanics are intuitive—simply click and drag gems with your mouse to make matches and clear tiles. Whether you’re aiming for a high score in Match Mode, testing your endurance in Endless Mode, or progressing through Samantha’s rescue mission in Story Mode, the foundational gameplay loop remains crisp and engaging.

The addition of special items adds strategic depth beyond basic gem-swapping. Match five gems in a row and you’ll earn a magic potion that wipes out all gems of a single type when activated. Occasionally, a broomstick appears on the board; clicking it triggers a “clean sweep,” clearing an entire row in the broom’s direction. These power-ups feel earned and impactful, rewarding careful planning and quick recognition of match opportunities.

Blocking gems—gems that turn black and cannot be moved or matched—introduce a layer of challenge. To clear them, you must make matches of the same shape elsewhere on the board, forcing players to think beyond the immediate vicinity. This mechanic keeps later levels feeling fresh as you juggle the timer, special items, and unmovable obstacles all at once.

Graphics

Bewitched’s visual style strikes a pleasant balance between colorful whimsy and clear, readable design. The gem icons are distinct and well-animated, making matches easy to spot even when the action heats up. Backgrounds and UI elements lean into the show’s classic aesthetic, featuring subtle nods to Samantha’s magical world without cluttering the play area.

Particle effects for special items—sparkles for potions, swishes for broom sweeps—feel satisfying and give players a clear sense of accomplishment after triggering a power move. The timer, represented by a flying broomstick, sweeps around the level border, providing both thematic flair and functional clarity on how much time remains.

While the game doesn’t push the boundaries of modern graphics hardware, its polished 2D art and smooth animations create a cozy, approachable atmosphere. Frame rates remain steady even when the board is filling up with special items and blockers, ensuring that gameplay never feels janky or slowed down.

Story

Bewitched’s Story Mode ties together each level with a charming, lighthearted narrative: help Samantha rescue her loved ones from magical mishaps. Act 1 focuses on finding Darin, while Act 2 revolves around freeing Endora. Each act concludes with a satisfying rescue cutscene, giving players a sense of progression beyond mere level counts.

Although the dialogue is sparse and conveyed mostly through title cards and simple text prompts, it captures the spirit of the source material. Samantha’s quips and expressions keep the tone playful, and the promise of rescuing a new character at the end of each act offers a tangible incentive to push forward.

The pacing of Story Mode is well-judged. Early levels serve as tutorials for the various modes and special items, while later stages ramp up the challenge with tighter timers, more blockers, and increasingly complex board layouts. This gradual increase in difficulty ensures that players feel prepared for each new obstacle, avoiding sudden spikes that could lead to frustration.

Overall Experience

Bewitched excels as a casual puzzle game that appeals to fans of match-three mechanics and devotees of the classic sitcom alike. Its range of modes—Match Mode for quick bursts, Endless Mode for marathon sessions, and Story Mode for thematic progression—caters to various playstyles, making it easy to jump in whether you have five minutes or fifty.

The integration of special items and blockers injects strategic considerations that keep gameplay from growing stale. Coupled with smooth animations and a timer that fits the Bewitched theme, the game feels both fresh and faithful to its magical premise. Scoring a high number in Match Mode or clearing the final obstacle in Story Mode provides a genuine sense of accomplishment.

While it won’t revolutionize the puzzle genre, Bewitched delivers a polished, engaging experience that’s perfect for casual gamers and fans of lighthearted magic. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to pick up, hard to master, and filled with charming nods to Samantha’s world, Bewitched is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

null/10