Engadget reviews atmospheric match-three title Meshchera for Playdate
The haunted marsh puzzle game offers deep mechanics and detailed art, though opaque instructions may challenge new players.
Engadget has published a review of Meshchera, a match-three puzzle game designed for the Playdate handheld console. Set in a haunted marsh, the title utilises a six-by-six grid where players merge tiles to prevent the board from being overrun by vegetation and creatures. The review highlights the game's atmospheric artwork and background music, noting that it offers more depth than typical match-three titles.
Meshchera currently includes ten challenges, such as "kill five monsters" or "keep 10 monsters for 10 turns," with the developer indicating more challenges are forthcoming. The game mechanics involve merging matching tiles in clusters of three or more to create higher-value items, such as transforming grasses into flowers, trees, and eventually churches.
The reviewer noted difficulty in understanding how to complete specific challenges, such as "create and destroy a Monster," suggesting a steep learning curve or opaque mechanics. The game provides minimal explicit instructions on how elements interact, requiring players to learn through trial and error.
Meshchera is not yet available in the official Playdate Catalog but can be sideloaded onto the device via itch.io. Sideloading instructions are available via the Playdate account's Sideload tab or via USB, with guidance provided by Panic, the developer of the Playdate.
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