Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Spirits of Metropolis takes the familiar Match-3 formula and elevates it with a layer of strategic depth that keeps every level feeling fresh. Instead of watching matches resolve instantly, you place gems one by one, building intricate patterns around a central white gem that acts as the heart of your chain. This approach forces you to think several moves ahead, carefully positioning triggers so that when you do unleash your chain, it cascades in spectacular fashion.

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The core loop revolves around collecting coloured gems as they appear at the bottom of the screen and slotting them into empty spaces or swapping them with existing gems. Matches of three or more connect vertically or horizontally, but it’s the timing of your chain activation that really matters. Hold off on executing immediate matches and watch your score multiplier rise, then let loose on a sprawling, trigger-linked sequence that can skyrocket your points.

Additional mechanics such as wildcards, locked gems, and special trigger nodes further enrich the formula. Wildcards can stand in for any colour, letting you bridge gaps in your planned pattern, while locked gems require careful planning to unlock. These elements keep the experience from ever becoming routine, as each new level introduces fresh constraints you’ll need to adapt to on the fly.

Beyond the main Journey mode, which spans nine beautifully themed constellations, Spirits of Metropolis offers Puzzle Challenges for those who crave more focused problem-solving, as well as a robust editor that allows you to craft and share custom boards. Add in leaderboards, medals, and ranked modes, and you’ve got a puzzle sandbox that’s as social as it is cerebral.

Graphics

The visual presentation of Spirits of Metropolis is a treat for the eyes, blending clean, modern interface elements with jewel-like gems that pop against dark, star-studded backdrops. Each constellation you unlock in Journey mode brings its own celestial motif—icy blues, fiery reds, or verdant greens—helping to keep the aesthetic varied as you progress.

Animations are smooth and purposeful: gems slide and swap with satisfying snap, matches ripple outward, and your chain’s highlight path glows softly to show exactly which nodes will trigger next. When you finally hit that long-planned combo, the chain animation unfurls in a fluid, ribbon-like motion that’s as delightful to watch as it is rewarding in points.

Menus and HUD elements are unobtrusive yet elegant. The bottom display that queues up incoming gems is both informative and intuitive, ensuring you always know what colour is coming next. Even the tutorials are visually guided, with glowing arrows and subtle shading that help you master the mechanics without drowning you in text.

Overall, the game’s art direction strikes an appealing balance: it feels suitably futuristic and mystical without sacrificing clarity. Every gem stands out clearly, every trigger node is easy to identify, and the overall color palette is rich without ever feeling garish.

Story

While Spirits of Metropolis isn’t a narrative-heavy title, it weaves a light, atmospheric tale through its Journey mode. Players are cast as explorers of a cosmic city—a sprawling metropolis of spirits—that must be rekindled star by star. Each constellation you unlock represents a district of this city, with its own lore hinted at through background art and level titles.

Subtle world-building details emerge as you advance: ancient runes decorating the board edges, spectral silhouettes drifting in the background, and star charts that fill in gradually on your in-game atlas. It’s not a blockbuster plot, but it provides just enough context to give your puzzle-solving a sense of purpose beyond high scores.

The Puzzle Challenges mode adds another layer to the story by presenting bespoke scenarios—sometimes a locked gem prison must be shattered, other times you’re tasked with forging a perfect chain in a handful of moves. These self-contained vignettes hint at deeper mysteries lurking beneath the surface of the city’s spirit architecture.

For players who love narrative in their puzzles, the editor can be used to craft custom challenges with your own implied backstories. Sharing these creations online means the community effectively co-authors the ongoing saga of Metropolis, ensuring that the city’s myths continue to grow long after you’ve beaten the official content.

Overall Experience

Spirits of Metropolis strikes a gratifying balance between accessible pick-up-and-play appeal and hardcore puzzle depth. Casual gamers will appreciate the intuitive match-3 roots and the clear visual cues, while hobbyists and speedrunners will dive into the chain-building mechanics, leaderboards, and medal hunts for hours of challenge.

The pacing feels just right: early levels ease you into pattern formation and trigger linking, then steadily escalate with locked gems, wildcard constraints, and time-based pressure. There’s a real sense of accomplishment when you finally “click” with the mechanics and start pulling off multi-trigger chains that net you massive score multipliers.

Replayability is a standout feature. Between the expansive Journey mode, the curated Puzzle Challenges, and the user-generated content library, you’ll rarely find yourself lacking for new boards to conquer. Frequent seasonal events and leaderboard rotations only add to the game’s longevity.

In summary, Spirits of Metropolis is a thoughtful reinvention of the match-3 genre that offers both strategic rigor and visual delight. Whether you’re a puzzle novice or a veteran gem-matcher, you’ll find plenty to love in this cosmic adventure through the heart of a gem-forged city.

Retro Replay Score

null/10