Magic Block

Summary:
Magic Block is a somewhat challenging game with an excellent choice of two colorful 3D graphic interfaces (skins).

It could be addictive for some, but I felt it was somewhat restrictive in how you could or could not maneuver the game pieces.

At the start of the game, some hints or directives might avoid player frustration.

Once you figure out just what is supposed to happen, however, the game is enjoyable and the music and sound effects are a plus.

Gameplay:
The game falls under the arcade/logic type, where you guide vertical triplets of colored blocks left or right as they glide down the playing field, so that a match of three or more - diagonally, horizontally, or vertically - will disappear.

I expected to be able to turn the triplet on its side or rotate it in order to make a match and was kind of disappointed that such a maneuver is not possible. I found this to be rather restrictive.

Some of the colored blocks have a letter (M, A, G, I, & C) or symbol (bomb) inside them. When you eliminate a match with a bomb inside one of the blocks, all the blocks on the playing field which are that same color will disappear. When you eliminate one of each of the letters, that spells 'MAGIC' and you advance to the next level. Cute and interesting!

You must think quickly because the triplets fall at a constant rate and will fill up the entire playing field if you do not make matches. That's when your game is over.
(However, I found that if you're a bit slow, there's a good chance that the blocks will disappear on their own and there's really no big rush to make them match before you lose.) I can't say that there's much use of logic in the gameplay.

There are 3 options for difficulty from which to choose and each of these has 50 levels of advancement.
The higher you go, the faster the blocks drop.

I would like to have had a rules of play guide, help file, or helpful tips at the beginning of the game. A pause button would be a good idea also, for those times when you are unavoidably interrupted. It was somewhat frustrating not to have either of these available.

Graphics:
This is where the game excels. There are two skins from which to choose, Technic and AlphaWorld. Both are extremely attractive. Great 3D effects, colorful and detailed!

The movement of the blocks is nicely done in both skins. The AlphaWorld skin uses large colored squares which are easier to follow as they glide down the playing field. The letters (symbols) hidden in the squares are better visually than those hidden in the jewel-like spheres inside the blocks of the Technic skin. This is where the latter skin needs improvement. It's just very difficult to read those letters.

That's a shame, since it is very appealing to have a game that can be 'refreshed', so to speak, after you've been playing for some time, just by choosing another skin.

One problem I encountered, playing on Windows XP with my resolution set to 1024 X 768, is that my resolution is not automatically restored after exiting the game.

Sound:
I really enjoy the background music, which can be adjusted in terms of volume and turned on or off. The music is different according to which skin you choose, and both selections provide excellent background enhancement, conducive to concentration. The sound effects are high quality also.